Are wheel spacers safe?

While a wider quad will allow a more stable ride and let you take corners at higher speeds without the risk of tipping over, there are still other concerns to keep in mind. With spacers on a wheel, it will inevitably swing slightly as the ball joints and the pivot points are not perfectly aligned with the wheel's center. This will make it harder to steer as the steering system occasionally finds it more difficult to move the wheel. The extra movement puts more strain on the power steering system, which may cause premature wear. And without power steering, it of course can cause strain for the rider.

Another thing to keep in mind is bump steer, that twitch you feel in the handlebar when you hit a bump in the trail. These twitches will become a bit more noticeable with spacers installed. Furthermore, as stated before, spacers will increase the strain on wheel bearings, ball joints, axles, and just about any part connected to the suspension. Again, nothing to be too concerned about if you take safety precautions and make sure your hardware is torqued properly.

Other less concerning issues might be that with a wider ATV, you might have a harder time traversing narrower paths. Some trails might have a maximum legal width, so make sure to check your local rules and regulations before you hit the trails. Also, obviously, when you have more clearance but keep the stock fenders, you might have more mud and dirt slinging your way. But that’s all part of the fun, right?

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