So anybody tried it, if so what are the issues I am gonna have? They are on the way, so I am really intrested in fact not opinion.

Thanks,
Kuntry

 

I'm doing the same, but I have an 02 with a mild lift. I'm curious about the power loss. I have a heel clicker in mine and hopefully the orange spring will compensate. I read a thread about re drilling the floorboards to move the front fenders rearward. I also have heard that the front tires could rub the tie rod. I'm getting 10" all the way round. Please let us know.

 

Hey there Kuntry...

Here's the facts....

I have a 04.5 Sportsman 700 carb with ITP "C" series type 5 wheels (12x7 all the way around) and 27" 589's.

Issue.... Front springs WAY TOO soft!!
Issue.... Front fender clearance.

The two problems that I faced with the new bike and tire/wheel combo was first, way too soft a preload in the front springs. And second, tire clearance. After researching my options, here's what I came up with.... Either I eat the cost of the 27" tires and drop to a 26", or do a mild lift and bring the front end up a bit. I went with "B" and did a 2" (1.75" actual) spacer lift from the guys at Bert's Dirtwerks, on the front end only. Killed two birds with one stone. Gave me the needed height AND the added preload on the front springs. As a bonus, it leveled out the bike and it looks a lot better. The ride is a bit firmer, but not harsh. And I did not have to put anymore holes in the floorboards. The CV angle has increase slightly, but not to a point where I feel they're in danger. I have no rubbing taking place anywere and love the way it handles. I did lose a bit of power at slow vehicle speeds, but have not had a chance to play with the clutching yet.

Without a lift, 27's WILL rub. You wanted real world facts, and there you have them.

Hope this helps.....

PS... If I could figure out how to post a pic, that may give you a better visual....

 

Kinda what I figured, but I was hoping I could avoid the lift. I was going to go with 26" but of the 3 places I called, they were all out of 26X10X12's. So I went with 27" for the same price, $600 to the front door. I will let ya know how it goes when I get them.

Thanks

 

I wanted to do the same thing. 26's instead of 27's but found the same "not in stock" problem. After hearing, "Yeah, they'll fit. No problem" from a Polaris dealer, an ATV aftermarket parts guy and ITP themselves, I went with the 27's. Surprise!!! They didn't. I too wanted to stay away from a lift, but I'm pleasently surprised on how well it turned out in the end.

Good luck on your project.....

 

Put my 27" gators on today. Got the 12" in back and 10" in front. No problem, fit great. But why do they measure 25 1/2 inches?

 

It might be your air psi, how much you runnin? how much clearence is there between the right front tire and the tie rod end? What about with suspension compressed do they hit the plastic?

 

just seen the 1.5" lift in your signature. Still how close to the plastic.

 

kuntry,
I'm running 7 psi (that's what they were at when I got them mounted). The tierod has at least 3/4" clearance, not a problem there. the plastic clears by at least 2", maybe even 3". I found no contact even at full compression climbing a stump, in fact it wasn't even close. The only bad thing is they aren't 27". Also, awful heavy tire.

 

Hopefully mine will be as listed on the web site 26.9" if not well I guess we learnt something.