There's a New Aftermarket UTV Wheel, And It's Strong As Hell

Method Race Wheels just unveiled the 416 UTV wheel with both Bead Grip and Beadlock technology, and it's purported to be tough as nails.

Photo by: RideApart.com

By: Justin W Coffey

May 20, at 9:02am ET

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If you look around the grocery store parking lot here in the Southwest, you’re likely to find most, if not all, of the 4x4 vehicles riding on a set of Method Race Wheels. A white Chevy Silverado on bronze beadlocks being the most common sight. And head to the local OHV park, and you’ll notice the same thing on most of the UTVs being unloaded in the staging area.

Method is a common sight in the off-road space and has made a name for itself by producing durable, lightweight wheels with fitment for most off-road rides, even if it’s just being driven to the grocery store.

So, looking to grow its presence in the UTV industry isn't exactly a surprise, but the way it did sure got our attention, as Method has expanded its line of 400-series wheels with the release of the 416 in both Bead Grip and full Beadlock versions. The patented Bead Grip Technology uses “integrated grooves to enhance tire retention under extreme side loads and low tire pressures,” while the 416 Beadlock adds a forged 6061-T6 aluminum V.8 beadlock ring for maximum tire security.

Photo by: RideApart.com

When it comes to off-road specific wheels, beadlocks use a ring and screws to secure the wheel itself onto the inner bead of the tire. This reduces the likelihood of spinning a tire off the rim when doing serious off-road stuff, but makes the tire changing process a pain in the ass, and might be illegal to use in some places (I’m looking at you, California).

The Bead Grip Technology from Method is the happy medium, though, providing added security when riding off-road thanks to higher offsets, integrated grooves that emulate the benefits of a true beadlock, as well as a class-leading 1,800-lb load rating.

That load rating is significant, considering most aftermarket off-road truck wheels (see: white Chevy Silverado) are rated somewhere between 2,250-2,500 pounds, and considering how light most UTVs are, it’s safe to say the 416 Bead Grip is overbuilt for the application.

Photo by: RideApart.com

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The 416 Beadlock, on the other hand, is purpose-built for serious off-roading. They feature solid A356 aluminum with T6 heat treatment construction and a forged 6061 aluminum beadlock ring. The wheel is designed to be beaten and to cling onto your tire at all costs. This isn’t a wheel for the casual UTV driver, but for the folks who expect to put their rig into situations where the tire is likely to be spun from the rim.

Both the 416 Beadlock and 416 Bead Grip are limited to 15x7 sizing, with multiple variations that will fit most UTVs. The 416 Bead Grip carries an MSRP of $275 (per wheel), while the 416 Beadlock is priced at $449 (per wheel).