Wheels & Rims
About Wheels & Rims
The wheel is where the tire meets the bike, and replacing one is usually about damage, fitment or looks. Off-road riders bend rims in rocks and ruts, street riders swap cast wheels for a different style, and restorers rebuild spoked wheels. This category holds complete wheels, bare rims, spoke sets and wheel assemblies, so check which one a listing is.
There are two main constructions. Cast wheels are one piece, and they bolt on as a unit. Spoked wheels are a rim, a hub and spokes, and the rims here are sold bare, listed by spoke-hole count, such as 28 or 36, and by size, such as 21x1.6 or 19x2.15, which is diameter and width in inches. The hole count has to match your hub. Listings also state front or rear, finish, and brake setup, such as single or dual disc and with or without ABS. Most are for motorcycles, with a few for UTVs, so read the vehicle in the title.
Brands here include Excel, D.I.D, AWC, ITP, Raceline Wheels and Arlen Ness. Pick your bike in the Ride Finder at the top of the page. A new wheel usually needs Tires, and Wheel Hubs, Axles, Bearings, Seals & Spacers and Wheel & Tire Packages cover the rest. The group is Wheels, Tires & Parts.
FAQs on motorcycle wheels and rims
What do the numbers in a rim size like 21x1.6 mean?
The first number is the rim diameter in inches and the second is the width in inches. A 21x1.6 rim is a 21-inch rim, 1.6 inches wide. The tire you fit has to be a size that suits both numbers, so check your tire maker's chart.
Can I replace just the rim and keep my hub?
On a spoked wheel, yes. The new rim is laced to your hub, and the hole count must match the hub and spokes. Lacing and truing take skill and a stand, so many riders have a wheel shop do it, and new spokes are normally fitted.
What is the difference between a cast wheel and a spoked wheel?
A cast wheel is a single piece of aluminum or other metal and bolts straight on. A spoked wheel is a rim laced to a hub, which flexes slightly and suits rough ground, but needs spoke checks. Choose the type your bike was built for.
How can I tell if a wheel is bent?
Spin the wheel on a stand with a pointer held close to the rim and watch for wobble from side to side or up and down. Look for dents and cracks too. A cracked or bent cast wheel should be replaced, not straightened or welded.
Will any wheel work with my brakes?
No. The wheel has to match your rotor mounting and, on some bikes, the ABS sensor ring, along with the axle size and bearings. Check that the listing names your model and its brake setup.
