 visit
to just about any local sportbike night quickly reveals a divide
occurring in the market. No longer can we throw a blanket over this
group and call them all “sportbike enthusiasts.” The
principal split is clearly into race and show bikes, and each has
many splinter factions. Attempting to sell anything chrome to the
go-fast sect would be a waste of money, as would marketing a product
purely on weight savings to the show devotees. The
smart dealers already know this and the manufacturers are not far
behind. Many are specializing, and focusing their efforts on one
segment, while others, like Performance Machine have embraced the
entire market.
With a long history of both high performance and show-style products
(wheels, brakes, etc.), PM has always seen a place in the market for
fast and beautiful. In many cases they are able to cover both sectors
with one product! Having built wheels and brakes for sportbikes since
before most of the current market was even born, they also know a thing
or two about doing it right. For the go-fast guys, PM has dreamt up
the Revolution line of wheels. Machined
from forged aluminum to an absolute minimal amount of material, the
Revolutions are then tested to the highest international standards
(German TUV, as well as Japanese JWL). A unique cush drive in the rear
utilizes readily available sprockets and stock discs bolt right on.
Fitment is available for most late model liter class sportbikes, they
utilize all stock mounting hardware and bearings are already pressed
into the wheels. We asked PM’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Ted Sands about the gold anodized finish and his response was “the original race wheels were gold, Kenny Roberts’ wheels were gold and so were Eddie Lawson’s.
The Revolution is a tribute to them and anyone willing to risk it all
to the fastest.”
On the other end of the spectrum are PM’s Street Style Wheels. Parts Unlimited has selected two of their most popular styles, the radically cut and swept spoke Torque, as well as the three into six into twelve spoke they’ve dubbed the Tantrum. Each is a machined aluminum work of art and chrome plated to perfection. The PM Street wheels utilize the same cush drive as their Revolution counterparts and accept stock discs. Also shared with the Revolution wheels, are the sizes, with a 17” x 3.5” front and 17” x 6” rear. Already a leader in the wide wheel market, PM had little trouble creating monster rolling stock for the rear of the oft-modified Suzuki Hayabusa and now Parts is carrying their 18” x 8.5” wheels as well. Ted Sands explained to us this is one of the fastest growing segments of the motorcycle aftermarket and they are devoting considerable R&D
and Marketing effort to support it. Most of the major sportbike publications
now feature a Performance Machine ad and they have built up a number of custom
bikes that will see feature articles as well as attending some of the bigger
events. Call your Parts Unlimited rep for more information. Long live the PM
Street Revolution!
TRoland Sands takes the PM Street Style Wheels for a spin.
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