I'm preparing to order Pit Bull Rocker II tires for my '09 850 XP LE and was hoping I could get some advice..

1) What is the minimum spacer size I'd need to prevent any rubbing with the 26.5" tire size? I don't want to bend the sway bars or cut any plastics. Will HighLifter 1" aluminum spacers do the trick? Are spacers required for both front and rear wheels or rear only?

2) Any thoughts on size 25.5 vs 26.5 wrt handling, traction, etc? I'm leaning toward the 26.5 skinny/wide combo.

3) Do I need to install a clutch kit? I was going to order a EPI clutch kit if it's deemed necessary. What benefits will I get from it?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.. thank you!
-Russell

 

on the 09 height isn't an issue its width in the back i'm pretty sure 11" is the widest you can go without doing something different i put 12" on the back of mine and just ordered the sway bar from a 10 model and put it on it is a little bit narrower so it works fine paid 30 bucks for it also width won't matter in the front, i just put 28" swamp lites on my 2011 with no height clearance issues at all and they are a tall tire, if i were you i would get the sway bar from a newer model instead of putting spacers on spacers are hard on stuff, IMO

 

I have 27x9x14 and 27x11x14 swamplites on my 09-850 on factory wheels with no clearance issues, cant speak about the pit bull tires, as stated if I ever do change anything it will be the newer sway bar, $30.00 is probably cheaper than the spacers anyway

 

Replacing the sway bar with one from a newer model... that's actually a great idea I hadn't thought of. I thought the '10 model just had a different mount point for the sway bar, didn't realize that it was shaped differently too.
Thanks for the tip!

 

Pit Bull Tires rock. I hear the 26.5" tires area actually taller. I would go 26.5 if it were my machine.

 

it is a different mount point but the sway bar is narrower too works great no problems and a lot of hard riding

 

hey kerbbirds how do you like your swamplites have you had them awhile

 

bought them last fall, they do good in the snow, havent had them in really nasty mud, waitin on the snow to melt,

 

i just put a set on my 850 really like em so far they dig good in the snow for sur they ride pretty good too so far i like them and for a 28 they were pretty well priced almost 300 bucks cheaper than the silver backs i had on my 800

 

Spacers are only necessary on the two rear wheels to prevent rubbing yet I've seen several posts saying that putting spacers on all four wheels is the way to go. Is that just for the sake of symmetry or is there another reason why I'd need spacers on the front wheels as well as the rears?
Thanks very much to everyone for all the replies on this thread. I'll be on this forum often now hopefully I can return the favor to someone else needing advice.