Make Sense of ATV, UTV, and Side-by-Side Wheel Sizes

Understanding UTV and SXS Wheel Spacing Measurements

Ever wondered what an offset means and how it can affect your vehicle or machine? What bolt pattern do I have? What is the wheel width? What is backspacing? Why are there so many options for a wheel??!! This thread is dedicated to helping you better understand and make sense of this important factor in wheel manufacturing. 

Start with the Basics

To start we need to narrow down what wheel fits our vehicle. The best place to start is looking at what is already on it and what that means. 

Bolt Pattern

Below is a generic guide to determining your bolt pattern. The best bet is to always measure the current wheel that your ride has now to confirm as manufacturers may change from year to year or on new models. 

Can-Am: Most ATV and SxS's are 4/137 bolt pattern.

Polaris: Most ATV & SxS's are 4/156 bolt pattern. RZR PRO R and Turbo R is a 5/114.3 or 5/4.5 Bolt Pattern

Honda: Non-sport ATV's and SxS's are 4/110. Pioneer 1000 and Talon use 4/137 bolt pattern.

Arctic Cat: uses a 4/115 bolt pattern.

Yamaha: Non-sport and modern ATV & SxS's use a 4/110 bolt pattern, with the exception of the 2019 YXZ, which uses a 4/156 bolt pattern.

Suzuki: uses a 4/110 bolt pattern.

Kawasaki:

     ATV's with a Solid Rear Axle use 4/137 bolt pattern.

     ATV's with Independent Rear Suspension use 4/110 bolt pattern.

     Mule and Teryx's use a 4/137 bolt pattern with a 12mm stud.

     Mule PRO-FXT's use a 4/156 bolt pattern. 

Offset

Offset is an important factor in wheel manufacturing and understanding what a +10mm or -47mm offsets really applies to your vehicle can make all the difference between wheels rubbing or not fitting.

Offset: Offset refers to the distance between the centerline of the wheel and the mounting surface where the wheel attaches to the hub. It determines how the wheel and tire assembly sit in relation to the vehicle's suspension and body.

Positive Offset: When the mounting surface is towards the front face of the wheel (wheel's outer side) or towards the vehicle, it is called positive offset. This makes the wheel sit closer to the vehicle's suspension. Most modern cars have positive offset wheels.

Negative Offset: When the mounting surface is towards the rear face of the wheel (wheel's inner side) or away from the vehicle, it is called negative offset. For an example 3+5. This makes the wheel sit farther out from the vehicle's suspension. Some custom wheels or off-road vehicles may have negative offset wheels. A negative offset also changes the tires turning radius. In some cases it will make the wheel rub in place that the positive offset or the narrow set wheel will not. Be especially aware of this if you have a Ranger or Defender.

Some wheel offsets are measured in millimeters and identify the offsets as (-) Negative or (+) Positive.