Why do you think I have my bike stripped the way I do. Because I rotate the stock and won't invest that kind of money in a bike I am going to sell pretty soon. So I throw that wheel money at a new mount. Now, if I had art that would sell and money is no object I act like my clients, then full ceramic bearing in trans and same in the lightweight wheels.
I am no physics major, but, one could observe the auto industry change from steel to plastic composite to conform to gov mandate, meaning, up the mileage out of the gallon and here is the due date. So, simple physics says to lighten up all over. Run one disc setup at the front. Pull off as much excess not needed on the bike.
You add road-pack and how much weight does that add? There goes the mileage you keep adding packs or trunk space. You can remove the ram snorkels and use that area for packing small stuff. You can pull the rear plastic off, run mini turn signals. We are now getting to the point I add bags to balance the back so the front does not shake and lower the center of gravity for stability.
So, yes, it is more than just starting out with light wheels. It is about, lighter exhaust weight, lighter tires like the OEM. The pretty parts that hang on the bike for aesthetics, are packed away, for they are not needed in the grand scheme of chasing high fuel mileage.
Tormenting the motorcycling community one post at a time