17" oem vs 18" aftermarket wheel
 

Hi adventurers

It's my first time in a long time posting here. I want to get a complete wheel for my XT660Z 2014, on which I want to fit a 100% dirt tyre. When I go visit my friends for trail riding weekends, I can just swop the wheels out. Does anyone know what difference an 18" wheel will make to the performance? I like the idea of having a little extra ground clearance, but I'm also wondering what it will do with regards to balance, power and handling...

Any advice will be greatly appreciated :)

• An 18" wheel will raise the gearing slightly - equivalent to about two teeth less on the rear sprocket. (The speedo will become more accurate though!)
• It will shift the weight balance slightly further forward on the bike and marginally affect the geometry, but neither will you really notice.
• There is a greater choice of off road tyres, but a smaller choice of DS and on-road tyres.
• An 18" wheel cannot be fitted with the stock exhaust as the tyre will hit the silencer on full compression. (An 18" wheel will not fit on an ABS model either, regardless of exhaust).

18"Rear rim swop
 

I got a nearly new set of gold exel rims for my bike
The rear having been converted to 18"

Ive upped The Rear Sprocket To 47Teeth.
Now I Have To Buy a New Chain To Move The Wheel Back To Vlear The Swing Arm With D606 On The Back. Anyone Else Done This?