Just bought (about 260 miles ago) a new AC 500. After trying out a Polaris 500 yesterday, I would have to agree that the steering on the AC is a little rough. I have researched it a little and I keep reading that getting tires with a stiffer sidewall will help. Also, the stock tires are 25x8x12 front and 25x10x12 rear. Would it hurt to go 26? I'm mainly trying to smooth out the handling a little. Any recommendations on tires? We ride mainly rocks and more rocks with some water and mud.

Other than the steering, I really like this machine! Hours of entertainment!!

 

I see you live in kingman, Flagstaff here. i just got my AC 500 auto and have to agree. the stearing could use some fine tuning.
the stiffer sidewall tire will help in cornering but also stiffen the ride some. you might think about getting some radial tires.
"roomer" has it they are the way to go. but we all know how roomers are.
the best tire i have ever used seen are the Swamp lights. form Interco. great ride and long ware. but not your tipical "mud" tire.

http://www.4atvtires.com/atvTires/sh...=7255&cat_id=2


as for going up in size you should be fine. just use low when you should be. or belt problems will fallow.
if your ever up for some trail riding let me know.
chavy85@msn.com
we're not to far apart. got some snow here lastnight about an inch. so i'm thinking about heading to the top of Elden. should be about 6-7 inches up there. good fun. :-)

:edit: one thing i have done that seems to help ALOT is running the rear springs one or two notches softer than the front. that helped more than i thought it would.

HR

 

I have the swamplites also, and also believe they are the best tire. They greatly lighten the steering, and i however found they work great in the mud. They have about 1000 miles on them, with almost no wear. The best price would be at www.traxmotorsports.com

 

You can also try running higher pressure in the stock front tires. This has really helped mine.

 

Running mudlites, 26" helped steering and handling, the new mudlites are a harder rubber than the old ones and last very good.

 

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I added a little more pressure in the front and it helped even though it's just a little more bouncy. I think I'll go for the Bighorns as replacement. Pretty much all we do is rocks. We've already had some pretty good dings in the wheels due to zero protection from the tire. Are you all sold on steel wheels or do aluminum do the job?

 

Im a firm believer in good old fashion STEEL! For sure if your doing alot of rough riding

 

Well i ride alot of rocks also. and from what i can see the steal ones are better, if you dent/bend one you can bend it back, if you try that with aluminum they usualy break. one more thing you might want to think about when ordering tires. is a size taller and wider for your rims. this will kind keep your rims narrower that the tread and save them on rocks. one size shoudnt hurt you to much.
my AC has 25x8x12 front and 25x11x12 rear stock. but mine came with the badland radials too.
just some more thoughts.

HR.