🏍️ How to Choose Rear Hub Motor and Wheel Size for Your Motorcycle

When upgrading or replacing your motorcycle’s rear hub or changing wheel size, many riders only think about style. But the rear hub motor + wheel size combo is one of the most important factors that affect power delivery, stability, and overall riding experience.

Here’s a simple guide so you don’t waste money—or worse, compromise safety.

1. Understand the Role of the Rear Hub

The rear hub is the heart of your wheel assembly. It connects the wheel to the swingarm, houses bearings, and transfers torque from the chain and sprocket.

• A good hub = smooth rotation + better durability.

• A cheap or mismatched hub = fast bearing wear, unstable wheel alignment, and even accidents.

👉 Always ensure your rear hub matches your bike’s OEM specs before thinking about wheel upgrades.

2. Choosing the Right Wheel Size

🔹 a. Stability vs. Agility

• Smaller wheels (14”–16”): More agile, quick to turn, but less stable at high speed.

• Larger wheels (17”–18”): More stable, better cornering confidence, but slightly heavier handling.

🔹 b. Rear vs. Front Balance

• Rear wheel size should always be chosen relative to the front.

• Example: Common commuter bikes use 17” front + 17” rear for balance.

• Mixing sizes (like 17” front + 16” rear) can affect handling—sometimes good for drag racing, but not for daily commute.

3. Match with Tyre Size

The hub and rim must fit tyres correctly.

• If the rim is too wide for the tyre = unstable handling.

• If the rim is too narrow = tyre pinched, risk of blowout.

👉 Always follow the recommended tyre range stamped on the rim. Example: a MT 2.15 rim is designed for tyres from 70/90 up to 90/90.

Source from : https://motoress.com/learn-to-ride/guide-to-reading-your-motorcycle-tire-sidewall/?srsltid=AfmBOop9jOP3ULCPla8MFfYzCwflDweaP26Mec7Dsl_qts3Vzj757cOP

4. Material and Durability

• Cast alloy wheels: Stylish, lighter, less maintenance.

• Spoke wheels: Rugged, flexible, great for off-road.

• Performance hubs: CNC-machined aluminium hubs often last longer and handle stress better.

5. Bearing Quality Matters

Your hub is nothing without reliable bearings.

• Use sealed bearings (less dirt/water damage).

• Service every 6 months—clean and regrease.

• A failing bearing feels like wobbling or humming sound from the rear. Don’t ignore it!

6. Check Compatibility with Brakes & Sprockets

• Ensure hub is compatible with your disc brake rotor or drum brake system.

• Sprocket mounting holes must align with your chain setup.

• Wrong hub = poor braking, faster chain wear, and unstable ride.

✅ Pro Tips Before You Buy

• Stick to OEM hub dimensions unless upgrading for performance.

• If upgrading wheel size, check swingarm clearance and chain alignment.

• Balance is key—bigger isn’t always better.

• Pair your wheel upgrade with quality engine oil like DashOil—because smooth power delivery deserves a smooth ride.

🏁 Final Word

Choosing the right rear hub and wheel size is about more than looks—it’s about balancing safety, performance, and durability.

Get it wrong, and you’ll fight against your bike every day. Get it right, and you’ll feel the difference in every corner, every throttle twist, every ride.

Ride smart. Ride safe. And remember: strong hub + correct wheel size = unstoppable confidence.