Which is better?
The question of why there are still two different types of wheels available on motorcycles rages on but if you were wondering why we have a rather simple explanation and from there you can decide which would be better suited to your chosen riding style.
Related:10 Things to know before you start riding
Let's take a shallow dive into wheels and why different wheels are used on different bikes
Spoken like a true offroader
Spoke wheels are universally found on small bore entry-level bikes as well as offroad machines. Spoke wheels are easier to repair and can take more punishment from the terrain, but you will also find them on cruisers and retro-styled bikes these are for no other reason than the image/styling purposes. The downside of spoked wheels is that they are harder to make, requiring at least some manual labour and you will have to run tubes in the tyre making instant punctures a harsh reality.
Make mine mag
Mag wheels are easier to manufacture and can have a wider construction to fit bigger tyres. These wheels can handle much more horsepower and are tubeless but can be easily damaged by potholes and other sharp-edged road debris. Mag wheels are specifically designed for on-the-road use and should not go anywhere near the great outdoors.
Verdict
Weight is not really a factor, it really does come down to aesthetic and overall strength for the environment that the bike will be used in.
There is a 3rd option though and that is the tubeless spoke wheel as found on larger high-end adventure bikes which combines the best of both worlds, the only downside is that you will only find these on offer on a select few motorcycles outside of ADV models.
