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Honda ATV Wheels
Buyer's Guide - Best Deals.If
you're thinking about changing your stock Honda ATV wheels - there are
going to be a few things to keep in mind. Not thinking about changing
wheels? Well hold on there Bucky - maybe you should!
ATV
wheels are the most popular accessory purchased for Honda four
wheelers. Why? Several reasons, but most owners change wheels to have
access to a better selection of tires. Others just want to upgrade the
looks of their Honda ATVs and wheels make a bigger difference than
almost anything else you could do.
Is Bigger Better?So
are larger Honda ATV wheels the best way to go? That depends on
your type of riding. Most wheel upgrades will come down to a choice
between 12" and 14" diameters. Tire choice will factor in to which size
is best for you. Either one of these sizes will offer more tire choices
than the stock 11" wheels that come on most Honda ATVs.
The
12" size will probably work the best for most riders. You get all the
benefits of greater tire selection without the problems that come with
the larger 14" wheels.
What problems? Clearance is the biggest
issue. Larger diameter wheel and tire combinations can rub fenders and
interfere with steering and suspension. They also affect braking and
acceleration more than the smaller 12" wheels. And handling
can suffer from the higher center of gravity, causing the ATV to
be more "tippy". Not a good thing.
So when would you want to use
14" wheels? Mud riders tend to favor the larger size because the more
serious mud tires come in this size. If ground clearance is important
to you - then the bigger diameter tire/wheel package is the way to go.
Anything Else?Glad
you asked. As a matter of fact there are a few more things. Most
aftermarket wheels are aluminum which means you can expect a few
differences from the stock steel.
- Better performance in braking and acceleration due to less rotating weight.
- A
little more likely to sustain damage from rocks and other debris.
Aluminum is a softer metal so if you ride rocky or rough terrain - the
more tire sidewall area the better. Give those rims as much protection
as possible.
- Cheaper wheels are known to sometimes
have pin holes that lead to air leakage. Not really that big a deal,
but it is a frustrating nuisance.
- 12" wheels will
usually give a better ride due to the tire sidewalls being taller and
absorbing more bumps before you feel them.
The trick
is to just be honest with yourself about the type of riding you do and
the real reasons you are considering changing wheel sizes. Basically,
don't bolt on the biggest wheels and tires out there if that's not what
you really need for your type of riding.
A good rule of thumb
is to see what other guys are using that do the same type of riding as
you. I always like to let someone else do the experimenting and then
benefit from their experience. It's way less expensive!
Where's the Deals?The
best bang for the buck is the tire/wheel combination deal. Lately we've
been impressed with the deals that can be found at Ebay Motors. They've
made it easier for "little guys" to have stores there. So the "little" guys that
couldn't afford to have a store before can compete with the big guns on
a level playing field now.
That all means more competition and
better prices for you. And as usual, we have custom links to show the
best deals without wasting your time.
Here's the links for the best deals on Ebay Motors.
This link will show you all the Honda ATV wheels and accessories (like spacers, bearings, and hubs) that are available.

Related links:
ATV Accessories
World of ATVs Home
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