Talked to Rhett today at Titan and decided to get the 26" 589MT,s. Here are some of the things I learned......

-the new 589MT is the same lug height as previously (36/32,s), but they are staged (stepped sides) to keep tire from cracking at the lug base under extreme conditions. They are also slit to increase traction and it will also add somewhat to a smoother ride.

-they are a bonefide 6 ply and weight about the same as the previous 589's.

-they cleaned up the tread pattern which was a minor change but the major part was to true out the sizes. Yes a 26" is a real 26" at recommended air pressure, same with width. This could be very interesting because I would bet there are some tires out there where 27" of that brand will be about the same as the 26" 589MT. Therefore saying a certain model will handle a 27" without a lift may not work with these tires under extreme conditions. I think Cowboy talked about there being only a few tires that are true sizes.

-Titan, because they have a business relationship with Artic Cat, worked with a Dealer and put 26" 589 MTs on a 500 and they are confident the tires will not rub with the suspension bottomed out. 9" up front and 12" rears. Rhett felt that the stock rims would work just fine but you may want to run a little less air pressure in the rears. I went with the 26" because when I go on my hunting trips I am fully loaded and sliding down some steep declines while turning, a guaranteed rub job with max loads. For other riders the 27" maybe just fine and never cause a problem.

-finally the tires are not that easy to get. Rocky Mountian has a few here and there so you need to check availability. I was surprized to find out that the lug was the same approximate height with all the talk on the forums about a deeper lug.

At $64 or so a piece this one will work for me for an all around tire for all conditions. After I get to ride them I will report back the good and the bad, because almost every tire is a compromise of some sort. It would seem that this MT is an improved 589 from the others just how much is yet to be seen.

 

Sounds like you really did your homework on this one-nice job! It will be interesting to see now what AC does with Titan, and the new 589's. Didn't they run a 26" tire stock in '99? I can't remember which year it was for sure, but I think it was '99, seems like Andy had a set, I believe they were 495's though? Anyway, with the new improved 589, maybe we can hope to see a set gracing the new '02 models?

Anyway, best of luck with the tires, I saw the old 589's on the Grizzly I rode with here last weekend-they seemed to be a great tire, did everything well, you should be very pleased. And, yeah, it will be nice to see another real "true to size" tire out there, there aren't enough of them now as it is.

Take care,

mike

 

Cowboy,

You are right. The 1999 Arctic Cats that Andy and I have came with 26x10.5x12 Titian 495s all around on 12x6.5" wide wheels all around.

I'm fixing to make a post about making 589s standard on the 2002 models(boy that sound so sweet{class of 2002 here}).

 

Somebody in the know told me that the Titan 495 (the 1999 standard tire) did not pull or perform well once the initial biting edges were worn down a little bit. Is that true? Did you guys lose a little traction after the tires broke in.

 

Thor,
I believe every tire lacks a little in performance once some of it's biting edge is wore off. My 495's were awesome when brand new. They still work great and they are half worn out.