All - (STATING the facts)

I have now been out and riding several times (different trails) in different terrain since I purchased my 27" ITP Mudlites fitted on the SS212 machine wheels. I really like the look, and the extra clearance over stock and think it DOES handle above and beyond in thick mud applications etc.

Two things I observed are:

1) As the wheels (mostly the rears) grab and sling mud the tires have a tendacy to slide your quad to either side (pending your situation). I thought this might of been a fluke so I repeated my scenerio in different slippery, deep mud and deep water. Even under water above the clutch housing, same deal. I talked to my friends and they indicated that is TYPICAL with the Mudlites and it takes some riding skill to learn to compensate for it.
(All good there, thats cool!)

2) I have seen lots of talk about the side roll affect with tires but never really honed into to it b/c never thought it applied to me. That said, I let my cousin ride my bike and he rode it like his SP800 (running stock) up on a hard pack mountain trail in an area where you could get the speed. He like how it handled but commented how it seems a little wobbly at the high speeds and caution to watch.

Coming back this weekend from a friends private property (26acres) filled with wooded trail and lots of FUN mud holes my Mudlites out performed my friends but ironically I was the first to get stuck in some deep soupy mud in the field and needed to be pulled out...LOL....LOL.

As it was time to call it a day I revv'd my engine to bait my cousin and next thing you know we were both neck and neck speeding out on long open field. I also felt the wobbly affect and my bike was inching its way toward him almost smacking into his side. -- I caught my senses and slowed down and decided to "let" him pass..LOL.. But I do think its best not to run those tires at the higher speeds. - IMO

To be objective: Its all how you ride, terrain, the conditions, your bike setup/cfg and judgement! I like my Mudlites and when mudding coupled with the upcoming seasonal hunting think I will really benefit. I may look for a different tire combo to switch out for the mountain rock riding but for right now its just a pipe dream ($$$$). No buyers remorse here but learn how different your bike handles is what I would encourage newbie folks.

Thx,

R'

 

i've had very good luck w/ my xtr's except i have a couple slow leakers(not tires fault) and i had one i replaced w/ a huge slice in the side wall that i fixed but still slowly leaked. anyways in all area as mentioned i've felt 100% in control and no wobble at high speeds. i am fairly impressed how well they do in real good mud and even when i had them in a little snow(not much experence there) i felt compared to what i've had in the past they were way better. i even like them way better then the regular mudlites. they do throw some mud for sure and will dig a hole rather fast. lol

 

What size tires are on your machine, Stendori?

 

the same as rtickwad. i think he got his tires after he saw them on mine.

 

Thanks for the report.

I have 25" XTRs on my '00 SP500 and I can honestly say that every time I've been stuck in the mud, it's 100% due to high centering on the skid plate. I went with 25's since I do 95% trail riding, 5% mud.

 

Yes Stendori has been a big influence here. lol..lol... not to stroke his ego, lol.

But I came full circle on with the Mudlites XTRs when I did all my tire research. Wish I had got 14" though thinking it may make the stance little wider and more stable. But its not like you can "try before you buy" and even if you do, the testing needs to be done on all various terrain. - IMO

Are we suggesting that these tires shouldn't side roll some at speeds? Running them at 7psi as what Matt suggested from atvoutfitters.

Thx,

R'