i have an great opportunity to upgrade my worn out OEM bridgestone dirt hooks to some radial tires. I have heard some grumblings about radial tires being good for only IRS vehicles. Is there any truth to that?

ATV is a 2006 Rancher ES 4x4 350.

the up grade will be increasing my tire diameter size from 24" to 25" with the tire/rim up grade.

the tire is the Carlisle Badlands XTR's. rims will be ITP steel 12" all the way around.

my riding conditions will be packed trails, washout roads, hills of SE ohio, clay and some mud when the trails are wet.

please let me know if i will be doing more harm than good with these tires.

 

I don't have a Rancher, but I do have a both an IRS (Grizzly 450) and SRA (Suzuki Eiger). I'm running XTR's on both, the only thing I've noticed is a vast improvement over stock tires as far as grip in mud. I think it is definetly one of the better upgrades I made. They have less sidewall flex, and a flatter profile. I would say go for it, you won't regret it.

 

I picked up up the Delta steel ITP wheels and Carlisle Badlands XTR's. I put them on last night and I have to say, so far, I am impressed. I did some light hill climbing, packed trail riding and all i can say is SMOOTH. I can tell these tires will do all that I will ask of them.

i did not notice any lose in power or top end speed changing over to the 25" radials.

bad news is now i have a set of stock honda rancher rims now 24" tires that will be in storage. not sure why i would hold on to them, but they would make a great back up set of wheels on over night trips.