What Size Tire For 17X4.5 Wheel? | Fit Range That Works

Most 17-inch tires that fit a 4.5-inch wheel land around 150/60R17 to 160/60R17, with the tire maker’s approved rim range deciding the final pick.

A 17×4.5 wheel is narrow enough that tire fit is not a free-for-all. You can mount only the sizes the tire maker allows for that rim width, and that one detail changes the whole answer. Get it right and the tire keeps its intended shape. Get it wrong and the tread profile, turn-in, wear pattern, and clearance can all go sideways.

For most motorcycle setups, a 4.5-inch-wide 17-inch rim sits in the middle ground. It usually works best with a 150 or 160 section rear tire. A 140 can feel a bit stretched or narrow on many builds. A 170 can sit at the upper edge and only works when that exact tire lists 4.5 inches in its approved rim range.

If this wheel is part of a car spare, a trailer, or a custom machine, stop and verify the vehicle type first. The diameter alone is not enough. Load rating, tire construction, and rim profile still have to match the job.

Why A 17×4.5 Wheel Narrows Your Tire Choices

Tire width and rim width work as a pair. The rim pulls the beads into place, which shapes the tire’s crown and sidewalls. On a narrow rim, a too-wide tire gets pinched. That rounds the tread too much and can make the bike feel odd mid-corner. On a too-wide rim, a narrow tire gets stretched, which can flatten the tread and dull the steering.

That is why there is no single tire size that fits every 17×4.5 wheel on earth. The clean answer is a range, then a chart check. In real use, 150/60R17 and 160/60R17 are the sizes that show up most often as solid matches for a 4.5-inch rim. Some 170-section tires also allow 4.5 inches. Some do not. Brand, model, and carcass design decide that final yes or no.

• 150-section tires often sit near the safe middle on a 4.5-inch rim.
• 160-section tires are common on a 4.5-inch rear wheel.
• 170-section tires belong only when the tire maker lists 4.5 as approved.
• 140-section tires can fit on some builds, but they are often happier on a narrower wheel.

How To Read The Numbers On The Sidewall

Take a size like 160/60R17. The first number is the tire width in millimeters. The second is sidewall height as a percent of that width. The last number is wheel diameter in inches. A page like Goodyear’s tire size chart is handy when you want to decode those numbers before you order.

That sidewall code tells you only the starting point. It does not tell you if your 4.5-inch rim is approved for that tire. For that, you need the tire maker’s spec sheet, product page, or data book. Two tires with the same printed size can allow different rim-width ranges.

What Usually Works Best

If you are matching a rear motorcycle wheel, the safe middle is usually 150/60R17 or 160/60R17. A 160 is a common home for a 4.5-inch rim. A 150 often works well too, especially when you want quicker turn-in, cleaner chain clearance, or a tire choice that sits closer to stock on smaller bikes.

A 170 can work, but only after a chart check. Some 170/60R17 tires list 4.5 inches as approved. Others want a wider wheel. That single difference is why copying another rider’s setup can burn you.

Tire Size	How It Usually Sits On 17×4.5	What To Watch
120/70R17	Too narrow for most rear uses	More common on front rims, not a 4.5 rear
130/70R17	Narrow for a 4.5 rear	Shape can flatten or look stretched by application
140/70R17	Borderline on many builds	Often better on a 4.0 or 4.25 rim
150/60R17	Strong match	Common sweet spot for many 4.5-inch rims
150/70R17	Can work by model	Taller sidewall changes ride height and gearing feel
160/60R17	Strong match	One of the most common fits on a 4.5 rim
160/70R17	Possible by model	Extra height can crowd fender or swingarm room
170/60R17	Upper edge	Buy only if that tire lists 4.5 inches as approved

17×4.5 Wheel Tire Size Range For Real Fit

The range that makes the most sense for a 17×4.5 wheel is not huge. For motorcycle use, think of it like this:

1. First pick: 150/60R17 or 160/60R17.
2. Second pick: 150/70R17 or 160/70R17 if your bike calls for that height and you have the room.
3. Upper edge: 170/60R17 only when the tire maker says 4.5 inches is approved.

Dunlop’s care notes on rim width and clearance make the point clearly: a larger tire may call for a wider rim, and you still have to check swingarm, fender, and chain room. That step is easy to skip, and it is where a lot of bad purchases start.

Why 160/60R17 Is So Common

A 160/60R17 gives a 4.5-inch rear wheel a balanced profile on many sport, standard, and naked-bike setups. It keeps the tread shape close to what the tire maker intended, and it usually avoids the pinched look that a wider tire can bring on the same rim.

It also helps keep the bike close to its stock ride height when the machine already came with a 160-section rear. If your bike was built around that size, staying near it is usually the cleanest move.

When A 150 Makes More Sense

A 150/60R17 can be a smart choice when the bike is lighter, lower in power, or already geared and tuned around a smaller rear. It can trim weight a bit, sharpen turn-in, and make clearance issues easier to manage. Riders swapping wheels onto small or mid-size bikes often land here for that reason.

The trade-off is a smaller contact patch on paper. In day-to-day riding, setup and tire compound matter more than chasing a wider number just for looks.

Checkpoint Before Buying	What You Want To See	Why It Saves Trouble
Approved rim width	4.5 inches listed by the tire maker	Confirms the tire is built to work on your wheel
Wheel diameter	17 inches	Bead seat diameter must match exactly
Load index	At or above stock	Keeps carrying capacity where it needs to be
Speed rating	At or above stock	Keeps the tire suited to the bike’s use
Overall width	Room for chain, swingarm, and fender	Printed tire size does not tell the whole width story
Overall diameter	Close to stock unless you want a change	Affects gearing feel, seat height, and clearance

Common Mistakes That Lead To A Bad Fit

The biggest mistake is buying by width alone. A rider sees “170” and thinks wider must be better. On a 4.5-inch rim, that can leave the tire too rounded, too close to the chain, or outside the maker’s approved range. The second mistake is forgetting that tire brands measure differently. One brand’s 160 can be wider than another brand’s 170 at the carcass.

Another slip is changing profile height without thinking about the knock-on effects. A 150/70R17 is taller than a 150/60R17. That changes ride height and can shift the bike’s feel. It can also eat into mudguard or undertail room on a tight setup.

What To Do If You Are Replacing A Stock Tire

If the bike came with a 160/60R17 on a 4.5-inch wheel, the safe move is to stay there unless you have a clear reason to change. If you want more agility, a 150 may be worth a chart check. If you want a wider rear, do not jump to 170 until the tire maker shows 4.5 inches in the approved range and you have measured clearance with the suspension compressed.

The Size To Start With

For a 17×4.5 motorcycle wheel, start your search with 160/60R17. If you want a slightly narrower setup, check 150/60R17 next. Those two sizes are the most sensible first stops for this rim width. Move to 170 only when the exact tire says your wheel width is approved, and when the bike still has enough room around the tire after installation.

That approach keeps the shape, clearance, and handling closer to where they should be. It also saves you from buying a tire that “mounts” but never truly fits.