Why Upgrade
Why Upgrade from OEM Honda Wheels
Most factory Honda alloys are cast. Molten aluminium poured into a mould, cooled, machined. It is cheap to produce at scale and fine for daily driving, but casting leaves the metal with a looser internal grain and air pockets. To stay strong, cast wheels have to be thick, and thick means heavy. That weight is the real problem. Wheels are unsprung and rotational mass, the worst kind to carry. Every kilogram at the wheel does more damage to acceleration, braking, and ride quality than a kilogram anywhere else on the car.
What you actually gain by moving off stock
| Benefit | What It Changes |
|---|---|
| Less Unsprung Weight | The suspension controls the tyre faster, helping the car feel more planted over rough roads instead of skipping. |
| Quicker Throttle and Brake Response | Lighter rotating mass lets the engine spin the wheels up faster and the brakes slow them down sooner. |
| Room for a Proper Setup | Custom forged wheels let you dial in width and offset for the tyre and brake package you actually want, rather than accepting the factory compromise. |
There is a real difference between a Honda with rims bolted on for looks and a Honda with rims engineered for the car. The second one drives better.
Comparison
Why Forged Wheels Are Ideal for Honda
Forging starts with a solid billet of aluminium and squeezes it under enormous pressure into shape. The grain structure stays tight and continuous, so the finished wheel is stronger than a cast one at the same weight, or the same strength at far less weight. For a car like a Honda, where the whole point is balance and response, that trade is close to ideal.
| Property | OEM Cast | Flow-Formed | Forged (RRT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grain Structure | Loose, porous | Denser at barrel | Tight, continuous |
| Strength-to-Weight | Baseline | Better | Best |
| Typical Weight vs Cast | Heaviest | Lighter | Lightest |
| Custom Width / Offset | No | Limited | Fully custom |
| Cracks vs Bends on Impact | Can crack | Mixed | Bends, rarely cracks |
| Price | Lowest | Mid | Premium |
Forged wheels also fail more gracefully. Hit a bad pothole and a cast wheel can crack outright, while a well-made forged wheel is more likely to bend and hold air long enough to get you home. On rough roads that difference is worth real money.
Options
Best Wheel Styles for Honda
Style is where personal taste takes over, but a few directions consistently work on Hondas.
5-Spoke
The classic never dies. Honda 5 spoke wheels read clean and track-focused, and a good 5 spoke design on a Honda keeps rotational weight low because there is less material between the spokes. It suits a Civic that wants to look fast standing still.
Concave
A concave face gives the wheel depth and makes a wider setup look aggressive without shouting. It photographs beautifully and pairs well with a lower offset.
Custom finishes
Because RRT machines each wheel to order, the finish is open: brushed, bronze, gunmetal, two-tone, or colour-matched to your car. RRT's lineup spans classic spoke counts (the Sixer six-spoke, Deca ten-spoke, ChyrosX Y-spoke, and multi-spoke XM), and a 5-spoke build is available on request.
Fitment
Honda Fitment Guide
Getting the right Honda wheel rim is less about looks and more about four numbers: bolt pattern, hub bore, offset, and width. Match the first two exactly or the wheel does not go on the car. Get the last two right and you avoid rubbing, spacers, and steering vibration
The most important thing to know about Honda: the Type R uses a different bolt pattern from every other Civic. Do not assume.
| Model / Generation | Bolt Pattern | Hub Bore | OEM Size | OEM Offset | Lug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic 2006–Present (Non–Type R) | 5x114.3 | 64.1mm | 16"–19" | +45 to +55 | M12x1.5 |
| Civic 1988–2005 | 4x100 | 56.1mm | 14"–16" | +38 to +45 | M12x1.5 |
| Accord (Modern) | 5x114.3 | 64.1mm | 17"–19" | +45 to +55 | M12x1.5 |
| Civic Type R FK8 (2017–2021) | 5x120 | 64.1mm | 20x8.5 | +60 | M14x1.5 |
| Civic Type R FL5 (2023–Present) | 5x120 | 64.1mm | 19x9.5 | +60 | M14x1.5 |
A few notes that catch people out
| Fitment Detail | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Hub Bore | Modern Hondas use a 64.1mm hub bore. Many aftermarket 5x120 wheels are designed for BMW and use a larger 72.56mm bore, requiring hub-centric rings. Custom forged wheels can be machined to 64.1mm from the start. |
| 5x120 Type R Pattern | Shared with the Acura Integra Type S and many late BMWs, giving you more wheel options but making bore and offset checks essential. |
| Lug Seats | Factory Honda wheels use ball seats. Most aftermarket wheels use conical seats and require matching lug nuts. |
Sizes
Sizing and offset by intent, for the popular 17" to 20" range
| Setup Goal | Typical Size | Offset | Tyre Pairing |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM+ Clean (Non–Type R) | 18x8.5 | +45 | 235/40R18 |
| Wider Daily (Non–Type R) | 19x8.5 | +45 | 235/35R19 |
| FL5 Type R OEM+ | 18x9.5 | +38 to +45 | 265/35R18 |
| FL5 Type R Aggressive | 19x10.5 | +35 | 265/30R19 |
Going below +35 on the front of a Type R usually means fender rolling and camber work, and because it is front-wheel drive, aggressive offset also adds scrub radius and torque steer. That is a handling reason to stay sensible, not just a fitment one.
Models
Popular Honda Models
| Model | Why Forged? |
|---|---|
| Honda Civic | 10th and 11th gen non-Type R models use 5x114.3 with a 64.1mm bore. An 18 or 19-inch forged setup can reduce weight without changing the suspension. Confirm brake clearance with upgraded calipers. |
| Honda Accord | Shares the Civic's 5x114.3 pattern and 64.1mm bore. Forged wheels suit the heavier Accord well, with the focus typically on reduced weight, ride quality and a refined OEM+ appearance. |
| Honda Civic Type R (FK8 / FL5) | Both use 5x120 with a 64.1mm bore, making forged wheels a strong performance upgrade. The FL5's lighter forged options can reduce unsprung mass while maintaining clearance for the large Brembo brakes. Always confirm wheel load rating for track use. |
Pricing Guide
Custom forged wheels for a Honda generally run $3,000 to $10,000+ for a set, and the spread is not random. What moves the price
| Cost Driver | Effect on Price |
|---|---|
| Diameter and Width | Larger and wider wheels require more billet and machining. |
| Construction | Monoblock vs multi-piece changes the base cost. |
| Finish | Standard powder coat is cheapest; custom colours and two-tone finishes cost more. |
| Load Rating Target | Higher strength requirements add material and validation. |
| Custom Offset / Brake Clearance | Bespoke fitment work adds engineering time. |
Cheap wheels are cheap for a reason: cast metal, generic offsets, and painted finishes that fade. Forged costs more upfront and lasts far longer, which usually makes it the cheaper wheel over the life of the car.
Our Process
THE ENGINEERING BEHIND RRT FORGED
Every wheel goes through a precision-engineered process from billet to finished product.
10,000 Ton Forging
Each wheel begins as a solid 6061-T6 aluminum billet, pressed under 10,000 tons of force. This aligns the grain structure to follow the wheel's load paths, creating maximum strength at minimum weight.
5-Axis CNC Precision
Every wheel is machined on 5-axis CNC to tolerances of ±0.5mm. The hub bore is cut to your exact vehicle specification for a hub-centric fit with no spacers or adapters.
Finite Element Analysis
Before any wheel reaches production, it undergoes FEA simulation to map stress concentrations and optimize spoke geometry. Material is removed where load doesn't travel, making the wheel lighter and stronger.
Inspection & Testing
Every wheel passes through dimensional inspection, surface quality checks, and load testing before dispatch. We maintain full traceability from billet to finished product.
6061-T6 Aircraft Grade
We use only 6061-T6 aluminum — the same alloy used in aircraft construction. No porosity, high fatigue resistance, and predictable strength under repeated load cycles.
Why Upgrade
Why Choose RRT Forged
Made to order for your exact car
You give the make, model, year, offset, and any brake upgrade, and the wheel is machined to fit. No spacers, no compromise on tyre choice.
Aerospace-grade 6061-T6 aluminium, monoblock forged
One-piece construction with 5-axis CNC machining, built around load-path optimisation rather than looks alone.
Clears big brake kits
Bore, offset, and spoke clearance are set for your setup, including large calipers
Ships worldwide
Global delivery with fitment handled up front, so the wheels arrive ready to bolt on.
Car Lifetime structural warranty
On the wheel structure.
Send us Your requirements
FAQ's
Are forged wheels worth it?
Yes, if you care how the car drives. Forged wheels cut unsprung and rotational weight, which sharpens steering, braking, and acceleration, and they resist cracking better than cast on bad roads. For a daily commuter that never sees a corner hard, OEM is fine. For a Civic or Type R you enjoy driving, forged is the single upgrade you feel most.
What size wheels fit a Honda Civic?
Non–Type R Civics (2006 onward) use a 5x114.3 bolt pattern and a 64.1mm bore, with OEM sizes from 16 to 19 inches and offsets around +45 to +55. A common upgrade is 18x8.5 +45 on 235/40R18. The Type R is different: 5x120, with the FL5 running 19x9.5 +60 from the factory.
Are forged wheels better than OEM wheels?
For strength-to-weight, yes. OEM Honda wheels are cast to keep costs down, which makes them heavier for the same strength. Forged gives you a lighter, stronger wheel plus custom width and offset that factory wheels cannot match. OEM still wins on price alone.
How long does custom production take?
Because each set is machined to order, expect a production window rather than an off-the-shelf ship date. Ask RRT for the current lead time when you request your quote, since it depends on size, finish, and queue.
Ready to build your set?
Stock wheels hold your Honda back. A lighter, stronger forged set fixed to your exact fitment changes how the car steers, stops, and pulls, and it looks the part while doing it. Send RRT your model, year, and offset and get a custom quote with fitment confirmed before anything is machined.