If you're like most buyers today, you spend too much time researching before pulling the trigger on something you've had your eye on. Why wouldn't you? With the internet, shopping should be easy for exactly what you want, right? 😭 Unfortunately, it's a dumpster fire mess out there.
So, what is the best UTV wheel? Getting comparable specs is almost impossible, as many brands skip important product details for basic imagery and a neon "buy now" button. It's frustrating. We get it: You have a budget, you know what you want, and you expect a good return on your investment. This is especially true for UTV wheels because not all are created equal. Let's dig in.
PRICE. STRENGTH. WEIGHT.
Wouldn't it be great to find a cheap, super durable wheel that weighs next to nothing? You and everyone else. Some brands build a strong, lightweight wheel, but they end up being pricey. Other brands stay price competitive but may not meet your desired strength. The point is, you can't have all three. You have to pick two of the categories above and be ok sacrificing the third. So, are you willing to sacrifice price, strength, or weight?
Price:
If you are on a budget or unwilling to part with your hard-earned cash, price is a must. UTV wheels are made using various techniques and materials, so the final price can range from $100 to well over $1000 per wheel.
If you won't budge on price, cast aluminum 1-piece UTV wheels are for you.
Aluminum is the most abundant metal on Earth and the third most abundant element after oxygen and silicon. So, aluminum is readily available and easy to use.
Special property 1: Aluminum can be recycled indefinitely.
Special property 2: Unlike steel, aluminum resists corrosion (rust). This is why it has always been the go-to choice for machined parts exposed to rain, snow, mud, and debris.
Where does Aluminum come from? Aluminum compounds are found in most common rock types, including clay, slate, shale, granite, and anorthosite.
Strength:
Are you a habitual lead foot or not afraid to send your machine over any obstacle? Are you a racer? If so, strength will matter most to you.
If you plan to send it, forged or flow-formed UTV wheels are for you.
Forged aluminum wheels are made using a different technology than traditional cast aluminum wheels. This forging process is slower and requires special machines. Because of this, you'll pay top dollar for forged wheels, but the benefits may outweigh the expense.
Determining how "strong" a wheel is requires understanding load rating. As a standard, a wheel’s maximum load rating is determined by dividing a vehicle's heaviest gross axle weight rating by 2. The axle weight rating for most vehicles is shown on the identification label on the driver’s side door jamb, gas tank door, truck lid or glove compartment.
Because most wheel manufacturers aren't building wheels exclusively for a specific model of UTV or ATV, wheel load ratings (UTV wheel strength) are determined by examining the industry's heaviest vehicle for each bolt pattern. As the industry evolves, new bolt patterns emerge, and load ratings must improve to ensure proper vehicle safety. An example is the Polaris 5x114.3 (5x4.5) bolt pattern for the Pro R. Any wheel built for this unique bolt pattern must match this specific vehicle load rating requirement. In contrast, a generic 4x156 bolt pattern fits everything from an entry-level ATV to a RZR 1000.
So... what are forged UTV wheels?
The hot forging process begins with an aluminum slug that is heated until it becomes pliable. The slug is then placed into the forging press, and it is either struck (mechanical press) or compressed (hydraulic press) into a formed die (wheel shape). The wheel emerges looking like the shape of the die.
These forging presses create incredible forces to move the material and are huge in scale. Mechanical presses can be three stories tall, with over half underground. The building has to be built around the press. Since the material is formed, the grain structure is long and continuous, allowing one of forging's best properties: incredible strength.
What are flow-formed UTV wheels?
Like the price of cast aluminum, but would prefer the strength and weight of forged wheels? Flow-formed wheels may be the perfect solution for you. Flow forming combines the benefits of both casting and forging. The wheel begins as a traditional casting, the barrel of the wheel is not included. The casting is then heated and placed on a turning die, and while the wheel spins, a hydraulically controlled tooling unit applies pressure to the heated wheel, drawing material out into the barrel shape. This process is unique because it allows the barrel to be thin (lightweight) while having the strength of a forging.
The process is technically forging because the grain structure on the barrel is long and continuous, just like forged wheels. However, the wheel face is a basic aluminum casting. You will see more flow-formed wheels in 18-inch and larger sizes because the manufacturing cost is justified by the improved weight and strength. Any wheel under 18 inches achieves only nominal weight savings and strength for the extra price, which is why you do not see many 15-inch flow-formed UTV wheels yet.
Weight:
Ooof. The infamous weight debate. For what seems like centuries, gearheads and offroad enthusiasts have debated the purpose of lightweight UTV wheels. How much you prioritize wheel weight depends on what kind of rider you are. If you have a full 32-quart cooler onboard, you may not worry about a few extra pounds. Wheel weight may be a deal-breaker if you have a carbon-fiber race dash and only carry the necessities.
A vehicle's total weight is the sum of all its parts and affects its ability to accelerate, brake, and corner. Reducing total weight enhances performance because less weight needs to be controlled and less energy is required. Unsprung weight is the weight under the springs, which moves up and down as the vehicle rides over uneven roads and leans in corners.
Reducing unsprung weight allows the springs and shock absorbers to control suspension movement more effectively. Rotational weight includes all parts that spin, from the engine's crankshaft to the wheels and tires. This affects the energy needed to change speed as the vehicle accelerates and brakes. Reducing the weight of rotating components will enhance performance because less energy is required to increase or decrease their speed.
If you count ounces, forged or flow-formed wheels are for you.
The forging process may cost more, but the weight savings and improved strength can be incredible. Forged wheel styles have super-thin spoke designs. This is possible because the forged material is stronger, reducing failure and allowing designers to get creative in ways impossible with traditional cast wheel spokes.
Other wheel manufacturing techniques:
Carbon Fiber: Carbon fiber wheels are the lightest UTV wheels in the industry, but they are extremely expensive. Their weakness is strength, which makes them a poor all-terrain option but an excellent choice for sand.
Multi-Piece: Do you want 100% custom wheels where you can pick the width, offset/backspacing, colors, etc.? Multi-piece wheels have entered the chat. The sky is the limit on 2-piece or 3-piece wheels. The "pieces" refer to the parts that make up the wheel that can be interchanged so that virtually any wheel can be created. Downfall: You must periodically re-torque each bolt to ensure your wheels don't leak air.
- 2-piece UTV wheels: These wheels are composed of (1) front and (1) rear pieces assembled together by a series of bolts and nuts. The front consists of the wheel's face, hub, and lip, while the rear consists of the back barrel.
- 3-Piece UTV wheels: These are the same as above, but the wheel is broken down even further so that you can customize the depth of the front lip. The three pieces are the front lip, center face/hub, and rear barrel.
The Verdict:
Dollar-for-dollar, cast aluminum wheels are still the best UTV wheels on the market. They bridge the gap between weekend warriors and daily senders. Cast aluminum load ratings are more than enough for 95% of riders, and advancements in technology and manufacturing have pushed cast aluminum UTV wheels into hardcore racing events, earning plenty of trophies. If you can afford it, consider other options, but for everyone else just looking to stay safe, have fun, and ride another day, cast aluminum UTV wheels are the best.
Pros/Cons of Cast Aluminum Wheels:
- Excellent price point
- Each wheel is an exact copy of the mold
- Designs can be as loud as you want
- Tight tolerances and uniformity
- Unable to match the strength of forged
- Softer material = more carnage to the wheel when you wreck
Pros/Cons of Forged Aluminum Wheels
- 20%+ stronger than cast
- 15%+ lighter than cast
- Thinner/less material, so the UTV wheel is lighter
- Up to 800%+ more expensive than cast
- Reduction in weight rarely justifies cost
- Designs are limited to simple, flat spokes due to the forging process
Pros/Cons of Flow Forming
- Best of both worlds
- Race quality strength
- 10%+ lighter than cast
- 10%+ stronger than cast
- 15%+ More expensive than cast
- Hard to find because the return on investment is nominal
