For many motorcycle enthusiasts, their bike is an extension of their personality. Every detail, from the paint job to the custom parts, is carefully chosen to create a unique ride that reflects who they are. One of the best ways to put your stamp on your motorcycle is with a set of custom wheels. Upgrading to custom rims makes your bike look amazing and can improve performance and handling.
Benefits of Custom Wheels
So why should you invest in a set of custom motorcycle wheels? Here are some of the top benefits:
Enhanced Style
This is the #1 reason riders upgrade their wheels. Aftermarket rims come in various designs, colours, and finishes to match your bike’s aesthetic. Custom wheels let you put a unique spin on your ride’s look. Options like multi-spoke, solid, or even colour-matched rims can completely transform the visual impact of your motorcycle. With so many styles, you can find the perfect set to showcase your personality on the road.
Improved Handling
In addition to looking great, upgraded wheels can improve your motorcycle’s performance. Many stock wheels are made from lower-grade materials that can flex and distort at higher speeds or when cornering hard. This can reduce handling precision. Custom wheels made from aircraft-grade aluminium or magnesium alloys are stiffer and more responsive when changing direction. Less flex means better feel and more control in turns.
Decreased Weight
Aftermarket wheels are often lighter than their stock counterparts. Shedding unsprung weight with more lightweight rims reduces rotating mass, allowing your engine to accelerate faster. The less gyroscopic force makes flickering your bike easier through chicanes or twisty canyon roads. Reducing weight with custom motorcycle wheels enhances acceleration, braking, and handling.
Increased Wheel Strength
Stock wheels may be durable for regular street riding but can bend or crack under extreme stress. Custom wheels from forged or cast aluminium are highly resilient against warping or damage from pothole hits, curbs, or racing. Quality aftermarket rims better withstand the stresses of aggressive performance riding.
Choosing the Right Custom Wheels
Upgrading your stock wheels is a significant investment, so you’ll want to choose the correct set for your motorcycle and riding style. Here are some factors to consider when shopping for custom motorcycle wheels:
Wheel Size
Ensure any new wheels you buy match your current rims’ diameter, width, offset, and mounting pattern. This ensures proper fitment with your tires, brakes, and drivetrain. Most sportbikes and cruisers run 17-inch or 18-inch wheels, while many touring bikes and adventure motorcycles use 19-inch rims or more significantly. Measure your OEM wheels or check your manual to find your bike’s specifications.
Intended Use
Consider what kind of riding you plan to do. For casual street cruising, cast aluminium wheels offer lightness, style, and durability at an affordable price. More hardcore riders may opt for forged aluminium or magnesium racing wheels that provide extreme strength and stiffness for track days or racing. There are also rugged spoke wheels for off-road and adventure bikes. Let your riding intentions guide the construction and power of your new custom wheels.
Wheel Design
Narrower wheels and taller aspect ratios (like a 180 rear) are ideal for quicker steering and lighter handling. Wider rims with shorter, fatter rubber (240s or 300s) maximise straight-line traction for drag bikes and cruisers. There are also hybrid designs that balance agility and grip. Consider how wheel width affects the handling traits you want from your customised ride.
Brand Reputation
Stick with proven brands like Renthal, Excel, Kineo, or Dymag for custom motorcycle wheels known for quality construction and materials. Lesser known brands may use cheaper manufacturing or inferior alloys. Experienced wheelmakers produce more robust, longer-lasting products from radial lacing to billet machining.
One of the best parts of upgrading your wheels is choosing from a wide range of customisation options to build your perfect set. Here are some of the possibilities:
Colours
Powder-coated, anodised, or machined rims come in every colour imaginable – from basic black or silver to wild neon hues like green, orange, purple, and more. Match or contrast your bike’s paint scheme. The options are endless.
Finish
Matte, gloss, polished, satin – the finish you choose completely changes the wheels’ look. Satin finishes offer a classy sheen, while polished rims deliver eye-catching shine. Consider durability, too – polished finishes require more maintenance.
Style
Cast, spoke, multi-spoke, split-spoke, solid machined, hybrid, and more – wheel styles run the gamut from retro to futuristic. Narrow down your options based on preferences like weight, rigidity, aesthetics, and intended use.
Graphics
Many aftermarket motorcycle wheels can be ordered with custom graphics like logos, pinstripes, or designs. This adds another layer of personalisation and visual pop. Just imagine your favourite logo or symbol etched onto the rims for all to see.
The Takeaway
Installing a set of custom wheels is one of the most effective ways to enhance your motorcycle’s appearance and performance. With so many styles and designs, you can create a look that’s uniquely you. Investing in lighter, stronger rims also improves handling and ride quality. Remember to get appropriately sized wheels that match your bike’s fitment needs. With the correct set of custom motorcycle wheels, you can hit the streets in style while enjoying improved performance – an upgrade in every sense.