ATV wheel spacers are a popular upgrade among quad riders, whether they’re exploring tight mountain trails, tackling thick mud, or outfitting their machine with wide tires. By pushing the wheels outward, spacers can improve handling, enhance aesthetics, and provide much-needed clearance for larger tires or accessories. However, while this simple modification offers several compelling advantages, it also introduces potential downsides that can affect performance, steering, and component wear.
In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of wheel spacers, how they affect your ATV wheels & tires, and how to know if they’re the right fit for your setup. If you’re considering investing in wheel spacers, keep reading to discover if they are the right choice for you and your vehicle.
What Are Wheel Spacers?
Wheel spacers are disc-like components that sit between the wheel hub and the rim, increasing the track width of your ATV. Commonly made from aircraft-grade aluminum or aluminum alloy, they push the stock rims outward. This helps accommodate larger off-road tires, change your wheel offset, and improve your ATV’s stance.
Are ATV Wheel Spacers Safe?
ATV wheel spacers are safe when properly installed and matched with compatible components. Using high-quality spacers minimises stress on wheel bearings and suspension parts.
However, improper installation, cheap materials, or excessive width can increase wear and affect handling. Always follow specifications, inspect components regularly, and consult an ATV expert for maximum safety.
What are the Pros of Wheel Spacers?
Wheel spacers can significantly enhance your ATV’s performance and appearance. From improved stability to better clearance for larger tires or chains, they offer practical benefits for both casual riders and off-road enthusiasts. Let’s explore the top advantages of adding wheel spacers to your all-terrain vehicle setup:
Better Clearance for Tire Chains
The vast majority of ATVs do not have tire chains installed so if you want to install some, you are going to have to do that on your own accord. However, you might have problems when trying to install them, so you’ll need to install spacers in order to increase the clearance and install your tire chains.
The problem you will usually encounter will be the chain clashing with other parts of your vehicle, such as your brake lines, exhaust muffler, and inner fender. In order to resolve this issue, you should be installing wheel spacers of around 1 to 2 inches, depending on the bike you have.
Aesthetics
This one is entirely down to personal preference, but many riders choose to install spacers in order to improve the overall look of their ATV. This is mainly because spacers create a wider stance and therefore a more aggressive look to your bike. If this is something you are looking to achieve without having to put in a great deal of effort, adding wheel spacers might be the perfect option for you.
Better Stability
A practical benefit to installing spacers is the fact that it makes your bike more stable on rougher and unpredictable terrains. Riding your ATV in areas that have extreme slopes, which is often the case for thrill seekers, can come with some dangers. If you do not get enough speed going up hills, or if you hit an obstacle at full speed, your ATV is inevitably going to flip on its side.
In a regular situation, the bike would simply keep going and tumble down the hill, possibly causing a lot of damage to your ATV. However, the addition of ATV wheel spacers might save you a lot of damage control. Moreover, this increased stability will make your bike feel sturdier on the terrain whilst you are riding.
What Are the Cons of Wheel Spacers?
Although there are a lot of pros to adding ATV wheel spacers, there are also some possible cons that come with installing wheel spacers. Here are some key things that you should be aware of before deciding whether or not they are going to suit your driving style and your bike.:
Increased Strain and Wear
If you are thinking about installing spacers, you need to be aware that it might increase the strain and wear to your wheels, and their components, such as the wheel bearings, ball joints and axles.
It is important that you do not offset wheels more than they need to be as the wider they get, the more momentum you will gain. Whilst there is no problem if you get spacers big enough for the clearance you need, anything more than that could cause you problems further down the line.
It Will Be Harder to Steer
When you add spacers to a wheel, you are essentially forcing it to swing slightly as the ball joints and the pivot points are not perfectly aligned with the wheel's center. Steering efforts therefore become more difficult as the steering system occasionally finds it more difficult to move the wheel.
If your bike has power steering, this will likely be less of a problem, but still might be noticeable. This is also the case with the increased wear that this difficulty in steering might cause the bike. If it has power steering, the effect will likely be lower, but an effect will still be noticeable after some time.
May Be Too Wide
One of the cons to installing wheel spacers on your ATV is that you might find it is now too wide for the tracks that you are used to riding on. The wider stance that you create with spacers, although might improve the stability of your ride, might be useless if you can't get onto the trails you want to ride in the first place.
Once installed, you might find that on tracks your initial bike rode on with ease are now not possible to ride as your wheels reach out too far and are clashing with debris that are on the peripheries of the track.
Are Wheel Spacers Worth It?
The overall verdict is that ATV wheel spacers are worth it. The aesthetic advantage that it provides is one that is unparalleled. Moreover, the increased stability that it offers thanks to the widened stance makes riding far easier and more enjoyable. It also means that in the off chance that you do come into a complication and your bike flips over, there is less of a chance of more damage coming to your bike.
When assessing the main disadvantages, in most cases, they are things that you can easily resolve. For example, it will not be hard to find a route that will take the widened stance of your vehicle, even if it means you can’t ride your usual trail. Moreover, if you stay on top of the mechanics and overall functioning of your bike, you will spot any potential problems early and can adjust your spacers as needed.
At perfex industries, we offer a wide range of wheel spacers, so you will be sure to find a thickness that works for you. Nevertheless, we understand that knowing what kind of spacers to get can be daunting, so feel free to contact us to determine what kind of spacers suit your needs best. Our wheel spacers are also offered at an extremely competitive price point!
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How to Know If Wheel Spacers Are the Right Choice for You
Before installing wheel spacers, assess these key factors:
- Terrain Type: If you frequently ride on steep or technical mountain trails, wheel spacers can enhance stability and handling by widening your ATV's stance. This is especially beneficial when using oversized wheels and tires or a lift kit, which can otherwise raise the center of gravity and reduce control.
- Tire Upgrade Plans: If you're planning to switch to larger or more aggressive tires, wheel spacers can help prevent rubbing by creating additional clearance. This extra space allows for deeper tread patterns and wider tire profiles without risking damage to the inner fenders or suspension components.
- Suspension Compatibility: Ensure your shock springs, control arms, and steering geometry can handle the added width. This prevents early wear on ball joints, hub assembly, and suspension parts.
- Power Steering System: If your ATV lacks a strong power steering system, adding spacers might make turning more difficult and reduce steering control under load.
- Aesthetic Goals: Looking to enhance the stance of your machine? Spacers work great with stock rims, creating a fuller, tougher look when paired with the right overall setup.
Improve your ride with custom ATV accessories
Buy ATV Wheel Spacers and Other Accessories Online
At Perfex Industries, we offer high-quality ATV accessories designed to help riders get the most out of every adventure. Whether you’re upgrading for performance, protection, or style, we have what you need.
From durable lift kits and reliable wheel spacers to tough skid plates and more, our products are built to handle the demands of any terrain. We focus on innovation, quality, and fit, so your ATV performs at its best, no matter where the trail takes you.
