01 Sportsman 500HO. I have Bighorns on front. With 10 in stock rims on back, no Bighorns available as I understand it. Recommend a tire comparable to Bighorns that will fit? Or should I change rims (don't ant expensive alloys). Thanks

 

If you are looking for tires/rims cheap check out ebay or craigslist. Chances are you can find a set of stock Polaris PXT tires on steel rims(12"-same bolt pattern as your machine). Just sold mine complete for $300 +shipping.

 

Are your stock wheels steel? If so I would'nt think it would be to much trouble to find a couple of steel to match the fronts. My 02 magnum came stock with 12" steel wheels front and rear but if you look up specs. on my model it shows a 10" rear wheel. Go figure? Anyways if you could find some 12" to fit, it would give you many more tire options.

 

I had that problem with the Xplorer 400's I had. Just look for some 12x7 wheels with a 4/4 pattern. I found a set for $50 one time and they were aluminum.

 

Thanks guys--I was looking at the ITP steel wheels...of course that means buying a set of 4. Understand my rears are 10x7s?

Also--what about tire suggestions if I just keep the stock 10" wheels?

 

You don't necessarily have to buy 4 wheels. I never did, but I didn't care what they looked like. The tires are what gave me the performance.

One tire you could look at is the tri-claws. Very good tire for all terrains. I think you can get them in 13.5" wide on the rear. I don't think the Bi-claws for the front will fit with stock wheels though.

 

I will research hat recommendation. Any thoughts on Vampires? (tires, that is ;-)

 

The vampires are a decent tire but a little heavy for my taste. Buddy has them on his 700 and gets along pretty good in the thick stuff. BUT! He 's also broken a few things in the drive line thanks to those babys. When they hook up, they really hook up! Maybe it's just his riding style. I don't know. I'm very content with the mudlite's XL, good bite, light weight for a mud tire and not lugging you down.

 

vamps are great for the mud, but yes, they are heavy tires. Much better tires on the market now, IMO.

 

How about maxxis mud bugs on the rear...