If you've been looking to swap your dirt setup for something more street-legal and aggressive, getting a set of dna wheels supermoto rims is honestly one of the best moves you can make for your bike. There is just something about that transformation—taking a bike that looks at home in the mud and turning it into a canyon-carving machine—that never gets old. I've spent a lot of time looking at different setups, and I keep coming back to DNA because they hit that sweet spot between "I can actually afford these" and "these won't fall apart on my first jump."
Converting a dual-sport or a dedicated motocross bike into a supermoto is a bit of a rabbit hole. You start by just wanting better tires, and before you know it, you're looking at gear ratios, oversized brake rotors, and, most importantly, the wheels. The wheels are the heart of the whole build. If you get cheap, no-name wheels, you're asking for trouble when you're leaning the bike over at sixty miles per hour. That's why I settled on DNA.
The Quality You Actually Get
Let's talk about what goes into these things. One of the biggest worries with aftermarket wheels is whether the hubs are going to crack or if the spokes will constantly come loose. DNA uses 6061-T6 billet aluminum for their hubs. If you aren't a metallurgy nerd, that basically just means they are carved out of a solid block of high-strength aluminum rather than being cast in a mold. Cast hubs are okay for easy riding, but for the abuse a supermoto takes, billet is the way to go.
The rims themselves are usually made from 7000 series aluminum. Again, it's all about that strength-to-weight ratio. When you're flicking a bike from side to side in a tight corner, you want as little rotational mass as possible. DNA wheels supermoto sets are surprisingly light, which makes the bike feel way more flickable than the heavy stock dirt wheels ever did. It's not just about the weight, though; it's about the rigidity. You don't want the wheel flexing when you're hard on the brakes.
Customization and the "Cool" Factor
I'll be the first to admit that 80% of the reason we do these builds is because they look incredible. There is nothing like a set of 17-inch wheels with wide, sticky rubber to make a dirt bike look mean. DNA is pretty well known for their color options. You can go with the classic black-on-black look, or you can get weird with it—blue hubs with black rims, gold hubs with silver spokes, or even bright red setups.
The anodizing they use is pretty durable, too. I've seen some cheap wheels where the color starts to fade or chip off after a single season of riding, but these tend to hold up against road salt and general grime. Plus, they usually come with the bearings and spacers already pressed in, which is a massive win if you don't have a shop press in your garage. It's basically a "plug and play" situation, assuming you've got your brake rotors and sprocket ready to go.
Handling the Street vs. The Track
Most of us aren't professional racers, but we still want that performance. When I first threw on my dna wheels supermoto kit, the difference in handling was immediate. On the stock 21-inch front wheel, the bike felt "floppy" on the pavement. Once you drop down to a 17-inch front, the geometry of the bike changes. It tips into corners much faster.
The width is also a big deal. Usually, you're looking at a 3.5-inch wide front and a 4.25 or 5.0-inch wide rear. That wider rear rim lets you run a 150 or 160-series tire, which gives you a massive contact patch. You can lean the bike over until the pegs are scraping and the wheels just stay planted. I've taken my setup off some small jumps and curbs—because, let's be honest, that's why you buy a supermoto—and the wheels have stayed perfectly true. No wobbles, no loose spokes, just solid performance.
Is the Price Worth It?
This is where people usually get stuck. You have the super high-end brands like Alpina or Excel, which can cost more than the bike is worth. Then you have the "mystery" wheels on eBay that are terrifyingly cheap. DNA wheels supermoto sets sit right in the middle. They are affordable enough for a hobbyist builder but high-quality enough that you aren't risking your life every time you hit a pothole.
I think they are the best value for your money right now. You're getting stainless steel spokes, high-grade aluminum, and decent seals for a fraction of what a "pro" race set costs. For a street-legal hooligan bike or a weekend track toy, it's really hard to justify spending more than what these cost. They give you that peace of mind that you're riding on something engineered for the task, not just something that looks like it is.
Installation Tips I Learned the Hard Way
If you're going to pull the trigger on a set, there are a few things you should know about the install. First, make sure you check your chain clearance. If you go with the 5.0-inch rear rim, it looks amazing, but you might run into "chain slap" where the chain hits the side of your tire or the rim. Sometimes you need a non-O-ring chain or a chain slider to keep things tidy.
Also, don't forget the rim strips. It sounds stupid, but I've seen people forget to put the rubber strip over the spoke nipples before installing the tube. You'll get a flat within five minutes if you miss that. And since these are spoked wheels, you're almost certainly going to be running tubes unless you do a DIY tubeless conversion (which is a whole different headache).
Lastly, after your first ride or two, check your spokes. Even the best-built wheels will have a bit of "settling" during the first few heat cycles and miles. Grab a spoke wrench and just make sure nothing has gone limp. It's a five-minute job that saves you from a warped rim down the road.
Maintaining the Shine
Keep in mind that these are aluminum, and if you live near the coast or ride in the rain, you need to keep them clean. Road grime can be corrosive over time. I usually just use some mild soap and water. Avoid those crazy harsh "wheel cleaners" meant for cars, as they can sometimes stain the anodized finish if you leave them on too long.
A little bit of WD-40 on a rag is great for wiping down the hubs to keep them looking fresh. If you take care of them, these wheels will probably outlast the engine on your bike. I've seen sets that are five years old and still look brand new because the owner actually took ten minutes to wipe the brake dust off them once in a while.
Final Thoughts on the Build
At the end of the day, a supermoto is all about fun. It's about having a bike that can do wheelies, hop curbs, and then commute to work on Monday. Switching to a dna wheels supermoto setup is the single biggest upgrade you can do to change the personality of your motorcycle. It goes from a tool for the dirt to a weapon for the street.
If you're on the fence, I'd say just go for it. The first time you dive into a corner and feel that grip from the 17-inch tires, you'll realize why everyone is so obsessed with these builds. It turns every trip to the grocery store into a race, and honestly, that's exactly what riding should be about. It's an investment in how much you enjoy your bike, and in my book, that's always worth it.