I just picked up a very nice 2003 Arctic cat 500 4x4. I'd like to replace the tires on it for something a little more aggresive. It will mostly be used for trail riding and a little for fall hunting. I'm planning to go up to 26x9's up front and 26x12's back. What is a good tire that will work in a little mud and offer good handling on the trail on this piticular machine?

 

A 6 ply tire is definitely one I recommend as the stock tires tend to roll a little giving a more tipsy feel when turning. Some popular mud/trail tires are ITP mudlites, maxxis big horns,ITP terracross,Interco Swamplites(that's what i have),my friend just bought some Pit Bull rockers. They are an 8ply tire but surprisingly more flexible than my swamplites. The rubber on them things are like magic,incredable tire. they make another atv tire but cant remember what its called. just google "pitbull atv tires" if intrested. these seem to be some of the most popular tires. Ive left some out as they are more aggressive and tend to be more for mud like mudzillas,silverbacks,ITP 589s(them are ok for the trail),ect...im sure someone will give you more to choose from.

 

First, thanks for the reply. How do you like the Swamplites? That is the tire I was leaning toward. Any drawbacks to them?

 

If your looking for a good 6ply Bias tire w/aggressive tread that is a good trail/mud/snow tire I'd look at MUDCAT made by TBC. They're under $85 a piece and are a SUPER tire IMHP. I have a set on my TRV and it improved the overall handling 10fold.

 

Wow, I haven't seen those before. Who sells them? How do they do at higher speeds?

 

Well i run 28" swamplites on my 700 so steering at high speeds on blacktop gets a little scetchy but i usually run about 20mph on trails which is good. Other than that,no draw backs, i have just over 1,000miles on them and i just measured the tread depth 3 weeks ago for someone else who had asked about them.they measure 1 1/4 inches new. they now measure 1 1/8. 1/8 inch tread in 1,000 miles is pretty good in my book and ive ridden in wyoming in the mountains and in the cumberland mountains in tennessee. Great tire for me.

 

Here's a link:

TBC - MUDCAT ATV

I've found that due to the aggressive tread design they tend to be a little "squirrly" on pavement. A fair amt. of handlebar wobble in the 30-45mpg range. (smooths out after that)
But I primarily ride trail/ditch in the 15-25mph range and they handle/perform extremely well. The biiggest advantage I've found with them is NO SIDE-WALL ROLL on slopes or turns and they charge thru pretty much any muck or snow you can find.

I'm putting a set on the wifey's 550 late this yr.

Hope this helps.

My .02¢