I have a 2005 Grizzly. The front tires are Dunlop AT25x8-12. The rear tires are Dunlop AT25x10-12. I was looking to go a little wider. Can I put the rear tires in the front and then get mayber AT25x11-12 or AT25x12-12? Pros and cons. Which tires would you recommend? I do a little of everything. Hard trails, mud, snow, pavment, rock climbing. Thanks

 

I'm sure you can go with a 9 inch width on the front. I read somewhere that 10 inch will sling mud on you and 9 inch width does not. The wider the tires are the harder it is to steer. I'm kinda curious how 9.5 inch wide tires would be on the front. I'm sure its not as common of a width. I've actually wondered about getting 4 tires that width and then rotating them. I still have stock rims and tires on my Kodiak, but I have wheels and tires on the way. I decided to stay close to stock. Most people that try radials say that they would never go back to bias ply tires. The tires I ultimately chose are sold under 3 names the Carlisle A.C.T., the Ducks Unlimited Wetlands by ITP, and the Polaris PXT. In addition the the 05 Polaris Sportsman 500 and up, they are used on the 05 Bombardier Outlander with XT Upgrade. Until I found out that these tires run small in height and the 26" are hardly any heavier than the 25" , I was adamant in using the same size tire. My tires are the same width (numerically at least) as stock. I got Douglas .190s in 6 ich width for my front rims and Douglas Rokstars for the rear. They are supposed to add the least offset of aftermarket. I didn't want to make my quad any wider than I have to. I just keep going on about these tires like an {expletive} tire salesman LOL. I'm a novice(newbie), but I've read everything I could get my hands on on all the forums I could find until I could let go and make a decision. I also asked a guy from the shop that it appears most people Other tires I feel worthy of consideration are:

Bridgestone Mudhooks XXtreme
ITP Holeshot ATR (sportier but not as good as the others in mud)
Maxxis Bighorns
Outlaw MST try a Swamp Witch if you are on a budget (The Outlaw is a tweaked / improved Swamp Witch)

 

Sorry for the Lousy non-existant proof-read

I ate supper and came back and posted without finishing my last sentence. I meant to say I also asked a guy from the site that it appears most people on most of the forums deal with questions whenever I had any.

 

On my Grizzly (besides the stock tires), I've had 25" ATR Holeshots, 27" ITP 589's and 26" Dirt Devils. So far my favorite for general purpose trail use are the 26" Dirt Devils (26x12x12 rears and 26x10x12 fronts).

First of all, I recommend going to a 6 ply tire ASAP (for durability). I had problems with sidewall punctures with my ATR Holeshots both of my front tires had several punctures in them). I like the 589's for winter use (really good in mud and snow) but they do ride a little rough on hard terrain. The Dirt Devils have decent traction and they are easy to break into a slide when you want to slide around a corner. If you want a little more mud / snow traction than what the Dirt Devils have to offer, you could get Gators in the same 26x12x12 / 26x10x12 size...

 

If you are just into general trail riding with the associated obstacles then my vote would go to the Maxxis Bighorns and that goes for either 25" or 26" size. To get wider you will have to go to the 26" size, I can't think of any 25" tire in 12" width. If you want to get a little more wet condition specific and stay with 25" then look at Mud Bugs or the new Mud Lite XL and also the 589's. These last three tires will serve you well in 26" also plus add in the Dirt Devil's at this size.

I have been very happy with the 26" Mud Lites on my Grizzly but I plan on getting a set of 26" Bighorns for another set of stock wheels I have. Then maybe go up in size to a 27" Mud Bug when ever I change the Lites. If you go to a 26" tire you will notice a difference in the performance of the Grizzly, meaning you will find yourself running low range more than with the 25" tires. If you want to get the stock feeling back a clutch kit will be needed.

 

wider will defintely help. you can go to 10's up front and 12's in the rear. any radial will be a considerable upgrade from stock. i have 27's and the are a bit big, perhaps i would have rather had 26's. but it's all up to the rider, there and what type of terrain they ride. i ride agressive trails mostly and mud occasionally. good luck.

 

Bronson,

Did you have to spacers in or do anything to your quad besides changing the tires?

 

nothing, i just ordered the right offset and bolt pattern and they bolted right on. i will be posting some pics of my grizz here in a few days. good luck.