Cheap spare wheel recommendation

I want to buy a spare rear wheel to mount a paddle tire on for when I show up to a mud race.  Since this will (hopefully) not be used frequently, I don’t really want to spend a ton of money on it.  Of the cheap aftermarket brands out there, which ones have you had good or bad results with?

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shortty761
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5/21/2025 5:57am

Unless you’re pro speed you can just get a Chinese wheel. Metal is metal.

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wrc777
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5/21/2025 6:02am

Which bike? Take offs are on mx locker and eBay. I have seen some pretty good deals on ktm rear factory wheels. Kawi are usually not too badly priced either. 

1
3strokemx
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5/21/2025 6:06am

I've used KKE wheels.  It was around $450 for a set.

They held up fine. 

 Spokes needed tensioned after the first couple rides but then they were good.
 I did break spokes on occasion and the rim would ding more easily compared to nice wheels, but not major issues or complaints.

 

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Anonymous (not verified)
5/21/2025 6:49am Edited Date/Time 8/31/2026 9:15pm
3strokemx wrote:
I've used KKE wheels.  It was around $450 for a set.They held up fine.  Spokes needed tensioned after the first couple rides but then they were good. I...

I've used KKE wheels.  It was around $450 for a set.

They held up fine. 

 Spokes needed tensioned after the first couple rides but then they were good.
 I did break spokes on occasion and the rim would ding more easily compared to nice wheels, but not major issues or complaints.

 

I’ve been running KKE with zero issues. They’ve held up so well I’ve turned them into my primary set. 

The Shop

seth505
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5/21/2025 6:58am

IMO, I would look through local market place for a low hour OEM wheel over the cheaper/ brand new options.

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JM485
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5/21/2025 7:30am

Tusk is hard to beat, I've been using them for years with zero issues.

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yak651
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5/21/2025 7:43am
JM485 wrote:

Tusk is hard to beat, I've been using them for years with zero issues.

Same, never had an issue with the Tusk, I just take a black paint pen to get rid of the logo…if not in a hurry keep an eye on marketplace or the bazaar here for an OEM wheel. Would pay a little more to get an OEM wheel over tusk

scootch
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5/21/2025 7:56am

Make sure to add your deductible to the cost of that "cheap wheel".

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AMetts
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5/21/2025 8:01am
scootch wrote:

Make sure to add your deductible to the cost of that "cheap wheel".

Relax, its just a wheel hes not putting in a Tusk Crankshaft. 

4
5/21/2025 8:24am

cheap becomes expensive. No need to elaborate.

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PRM31
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5/21/2025 8:46am

I just went through the same thing. For my primary track the MX14 is ideal, but there are a couple intermediate to hard tracks I can ride on occasion. I ordered used OEM wheels through ebay. 

By the time you add rotors, sprockets, and whatever else, new wheels can get pricey. 

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Moto520
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5/21/2025 8:57am Edited Date/Time 5/21/2025 8:57am

With Yamaha....just buy the OEM wheel.  It's a good deal and you get all the components.  I was in the same boat and was surprised at how cheap stock was.  Other than that.....Faster USA wheels did well for me.  

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PMR 3
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5/21/2025 9:11am

My friend punishes KKE wheels and have held up. I've put a set of EDGE wheels to the test off/road & MX, have about 40 hrs. I've replaced 3 spokes singularly over that time and rear wheel bearings once, but have held up nicely and look good. Like someone mentioned check around also, MX locker and maybe CL. I just sold a extra complete OEM set great condition for $600.

Brad460
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5/21/2025 9:25am

You can buy KKE...Or you can buy KKE for 2x the $$ with the word Excel on it...

I have all three- KKE, Tusk and Excel on bikes..No difference except price. 

2
DA498
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Milliken, CO, USA
5/21/2025 9:30am Edited Date/Time 5/21/2025 9:30am

The DUBYA Edge series are a great value and of course reputable company. 

Warp 9 has treated me great as well. 

2
peelout
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5/21/2025 9:34am Edited Date/Time 5/21/2025 9:35am
JM485 wrote:

Tusk is hard to beat, I've been using them for years with zero issues.

yak651 wrote:
Same, never had an issue with the Tusk, I just take a black paint pen to get rid of the logo…if not in a hurry keep...

Same, never had an issue with the Tusk, I just take a black paint pen to get rid of the logo…if not in a hurry keep an eye on marketplace or the bazaar here for an OEM wheel. Would pay a little more to get an OEM wheel over tusk

fuck that, if i see the Tusk logo i'll know you're a dude i can have a beer with.  not trying to hang out with any rich ass wheel snobs bro

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PRM31
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5/21/2025 9:49am
When looking at options, the Dubya Edge caution scared me: "EDGE Wheel sets are developed for beginner and weekend warrior riders. EDGE wheel sets are NOT recommended for professional riders or hard competition use under any circumstance
What defines hard competition use? Don't fast guys race with OEM wheels? I landed hard enough (on accident) to slightly bend my OEM. What would happen if that were an EDGE wheel? So many questions in my mind. 
pummel
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5/21/2025 10:28am Edited Date/Time 5/21/2025 10:30am

I've got a set Edge wheels that I've used on my last 3 bikes. Probably 100+ hours on them and still in great shape. They've held up every bit as well if not better than my OEM KTM wheels. All of the use was moto and I tend to  OJ or case stuff way more often than I should. 

1
TeamGreen
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5/21/2025 10:34am
JM485 wrote:

Tusk is hard to beat, I've been using them for years with zero issues.

yak651 wrote:
Same, never had an issue with the Tusk, I just take a black paint pen to get rid of the logo…if not in a hurry keep...

Same, never had an issue with the Tusk, I just take a black paint pen to get rid of the logo…if not in a hurry keep an eye on marketplace or the bazaar here for an OEM wheel. Would pay a little more to get an OEM wheel over tusk

peelout wrote:
fuck that, if i see the Tusk logo i'll know you're a dude i can have a beer with.  not trying to hang out with any...

fuck that, if i see the Tusk logo i'll know you're a dude i can have a beer with.  not trying to hang out with any rich ass wheel snobs bro

Well, sometimes ya jus’ gotta be a Gangsta…😂

2
ThePizzaCobra
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5/21/2025 2:53pm

I’ve had multiple tusk sets. They’re perfectly fine for a spare set… even a primary set if your B class and below. If you can spend a bit more, the Dubya Edge wheels are awesome for the money. 

1
5/21/2025 8:45pm
JM485 wrote:

Tusk is hard to beat, I've been using them for years with zero issues.

yak651 wrote:
Same, never had an issue with the Tusk, I just take a black paint pen to get rid of the logo…if not in a hurry keep...

Same, never had an issue with the Tusk, I just take a black paint pen to get rid of the logo…if not in a hurry keep an eye on marketplace or the bazaar here for an OEM wheel. Would pay a little more to get an OEM wheel over tusk

You can buy DID and Excel rim decals 😉

1
5/22/2025 4:32am

Thanks for the advice guys.  I’ve honestly never looked at MX locker before.  I’d much rather get a used OEM wheel than buy some cheap Chinese wheel.  Thanks for steering me in the right direction.

1
CR92
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5/22/2025 6:39am

Tusk or keep an eye on mxlocker. Tusk will be fine for the average person and mclocker has plenty of oem wheels that people are selling because they upgraded to something else. 

BoxcarWilly
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5/22/2025 6:49am
Moto520 wrote:
With Yamaha....just buy the OEM wheel.  It's a good deal and you get all the components.  I was in the same boat and was surprised at...

With Yamaha....just buy the OEM wheel.  It's a good deal and you get all the components.  I was in the same boat and was surprised at how cheap stock was.  Other than that.....Faster USA wheels did well for me.  

Wow, only $390 for a complete wheel. That's a great price. Yam OEM wheels are very durable. 

1
5/22/2025 7:10am
CR92 wrote:
Tusk or keep an eye on mxlocker. Tusk will be fine for the average person and mclocker has plenty of oem wheels that people are selling...

Tusk or keep an eye on mxlocker. Tusk will be fine for the average person and mclocker has plenty of oem wheels that people are selling because they upgraded to something else. 

I had a Tusk rear wheel previously and it tended to break spokes.  After learning about MX Locker, I’ll probably just look for a used OEM wheel.  I was talking with Bubba Pauli and he said his team races with stock wheels.  He said they hold up to SX, and the stronger aftermarket wheels are heavier.  I figure if a stock wheel can hold up to Fast Freddy blitzing whoops, it’ll be plenty strong enough for me racing in +50. 

5/22/2025 7:18am Edited Date/Time 5/22/2025 7:19am

I bought a set of Faster USA wheels for my main set. Keeping the stock Yamaha wheels for a spare set 

IMG 0725 3IMG 0727 3.jpeg?VersionId=aKdZAGTLbIiIhQj13.Szg1u5O
5/22/2025 7:50am

I found a guy on EBay with a brand new OEM wheel with the brand new MX34 tire mounted on it for $400 plus $40 shipping.  I can get a Tusk rotor and bolt kit for $50, and I still have the brand new stock sprocket to mount.  So for less than $500 I got a brand new OEM wheel ready to mount.  I guess I can’t complain too much about that.

6
wrc777
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5/22/2025 6:57pm

You may want to check eBay (even the same seller) for the oem rotor. 

5/23/2025 3:48am
wrc777 wrote:

You may want to check eBay (even the same seller) for the oem rotor. 

I mounted Tusk stainless steel rotors on the Tusk wheel set I bought a few years ago.  It was a third of the cost of the OEM rotor, and I couldn’t tell a difference.  The Tusk rear wheel broke spokes at Red Bud, but the rotors held up and performed the same as OEM the whole time I owned them.

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