I just got a 2005 Praire 700. I want to put a more aggressive bigger tire on it. I see that you put a 27' tire on it, but I would like to know what tire setup would be best on it. I read someplace that the 27's were harsh on the front end, and will cause all sorts of things to break. Is this a real concern? If so, are the 26's a better setup? I do some mud bogging, mostly trail riding, but the main concern is snow plowing my driveway. Any suggestions??

Thanks,
Joe

 

I have 26" on my Twin Peaks. There was a small amount of power robbing. The ride becomes more harsh though. I wouldn't recommend going with anything over the stock size of 25's because you only gain 1/2" of ground clearance for every 1" of tire size, not to mention the extra stess on the components and expense of the tires.
One thing I would recommend, however, is a set of skid plates. You can get the plastic or aluminum( aluminum if you do any rock crawling.) This will give you a smooth underside to help with the snow. The stock skid under the motor will act like a scoop.
This is just a suggestion. Others have put larger tires and lift kits. I don't do a lot of mudding, more trail. So, this is just my suggestion.

 

How much harsher did the ride get, also which mud lites did you get, did you get the XL's or AT, or are they the XTR? The ones i'm looking at are the XTR's. I really want to get something that will give me better traction for plowing, but at the same time i don't want to spend a ton of money on tires to get the same size tires. Anybody try the mudlite XTR's yet

 

Last time I checked the 26" size standard mudlite was only availible with the XL tread, not the AT.

 

So what is the consensus, are 26" Mudlites a bad idea for my prairie? Will it cause me to break something. I've been reading around and haven't found too many complaints, but the people who do complain really don't seem happy. I'm stuck, i don't know what to do.

 

26" Mudlites will not hurt your machine. It will ride rougher than stock. Power loss will be small but noticeable. I would go with the 25" but the consensus on the forums is bigger is better.

 

Hmm, I'm at a loss then....I do like the bigger look, but if there is absolutely no positive for going bigger than, I won't do it....If if the 26's help me plow due to extra traction, then that will be reason enough. I plan on keeping the stock tire/wheels for hardpack riding. but i did want something more aggressive for the mud/snow.... My only other opiton is the 26 Mudlite ATR's, according to the adds the radial design makes for a smoother ride....if that is the case, and all i loose is power, then i'll be fine with getting the 26's. I just can see the stock tires slipping on the snow and ice..and if i'm going to spend the money, i figure why not upgrade...

 

Actually, sometimes the deep lugs can be a hindrance. If you are on hard-packed ground, then the only part of the tire touching is the lugs which then means less rubber on the ground which in turn means less traction. That's why on ice racing you see guys with knobbies that are studded. The more rubber on the ground the better. The same holds true with slicks on asphault.
I have used the Mud-lites in the winter. With the cold, they are very stiff and with the oil in the shocks being cold, the ride is even stiffer. I don't want to scare you off from the Mudlites, I just want you to know all the negatives also. They do have a lot of traction.
Some other tires to look at are GBC Dirt Devils as I have heard they wear better than Mudlites.
I would also look at Maxxis Bighorns. Cross country riders use these tires. They are radials and seem to do well in different terrain.
I got mine mounted on a set of extra rims so I could have the best of both worlds. Just put on the mudders when I thought they would be needed. At this point 25's are cheaper on the pocket book than the 26's also.
Look into the skid plates too. A smooth underbelly will help in the snow also, no scooping.

 

Pads, I see you are from PA, do you by chance ride at Tower City (coal country) thats where i ride mostly.
Joe

 

Northwestern PA, in the middle of nowhere.