I just bought a brand new 2001 Kodiak 4x4. I had a set of 27" Blackwater XT's installed. I noticed they stuck out past the fenderwells about two inches. The first time I took it in the mud I found out how crappy this setup was! Damn near ever mudhole I went through, I got covered. I must have taken half the mud home with me. In addition, the Blackwaters ride just horible. This machine is supposed to have a "plush" ride. Not with Blackwaters!! I'm going back to the stock tires. Sure I'll loose an 1" of ground clearance, but it's worth it to preserve the ride, as well as keep the mud off me. I've got a winch anyway! Anyone have any thoughts here?

 

Had a hot shower yet? Doh - Just kidding.

I have thought about buying the same tires for my 00' Big Bear 4x4 to replace the OEM tires. I'm planning to use the same size tires as the OEM, 25x8x12 front and 25x10x12 rear. What size blackwaters did you put on your Kodiak and what size were the OEM tires?

I would be real disappointed with my purchase if my new tires did the same to me as they did to you. I would like to avoid making any mistakes.

 

Kirby,

I would sell the Blackwaters, and get a set of Kenda Bearclaws. My Kodiak came equipped with Dunlops, and I would get a flat riding on gravel. I had them on my Big Bear as well, and they are one miserable tire. Me and my riding buds refer to them as Dunflats.

 

I had the the Blackwaters put on strait off the showroom floor. Sooo......I never did get to ride the machine with the stockers. I did that for the first time today. Come to find out, the stock tires really don't ride any better than the Blackwaters!! That disappointed the hell out of me! Apparently, the Kodiak doesn't quite have as "PLUSH" of a ride as the magazines say! Just goes to show, don't believe everything Dirt Wheels says. I traded in a Kawasaki Prairie for the Kodiak. Without a doubt, the Prairie has a MUCH, MUCH better ride. That's a fact! Anyway, I've now decided to just put the Blackwaters back on. I'll just have to live with them throwing mud all over me. At least the machine will perform better. My Blackwaters are 27x12x12 rear, and 27x9x12 front.

 

Have you tried adjusting the suspension? Maybe it was set up by the dealer to ride on the stiff side .

 

Harold,

I checked the setting of the shock's, and they're one away from the lightest position. My Kawi. Prairie came set in the middle. It still rode much better than the Kodiak. The Kodiak rides more like my Honda Rancher. The ride is very comperable.

KIRBY

 

The Blackwater's are 6 ply tires with deep hard lugs, compared to the 4 ply Dunflats. I just installed a pair on my Grizzly and can't wait until I get in the MUD.

 

The suspension on the Kodiak will lossen up some with time. If you aren't real heavy you might try setting the suspension on it's lightest setting. Also try ajusting the tire pressure down some. this may help. The Blackwaters are larger and heavier then the stockers so that may also contribute to the poor ride. I myself did not like the Dunflops at all . I am currently running OEM size Kenda Bear Claws and couldn't be happier. They are a great all purpose tire.