I have a 01 500 Auto Cat and I am looking to put new rubber on it. I was interested in Outlaws something in a 27 or 28 inch size. Questions are: can the cat handle the larger rubber size, should I run the same size width all arround (10.5?)or smaller front larger rear, and is there any feedback on the outlaws themselves. The wheeler has been lifted, riding conditions up here are some hardpact mixed with alot of nasty swamp/clay mud. Thnx all.

 

I'm running 27x9.75x12 Bi Claws up front, with 27x12x12 Tri Claws in the rear on my '00 Auto 'Cat. These tires actually measure about 27 1/4" - 27 1/2" at recommended psi-taller than the true stated heigth, and as far as I know, the only tire on the market to be actually larger than claimed size. The 'Cat handles them just great. You can notice a slight power loss in high range while going up hill, but no where else. In low range, you'll never notice the difference at all-the 'Cat has plenty of torque to turn them, even in deep mud. I'm still towing the large logs around that I used to do with the stock 'Cat, with no problems what so ever, and with over 900 miles on the 'Claws with spring spacer style lift.

I've heard that the Outlaws do not measure a true 28", that they are closer to 27 1/2", which is very close to the 'Claws in actual heigth. The Outlaws may be lighter, due to the rubber used in the tire itself, but I don't know for sure on that. I believe the heigth is more of the issue of power loss for turning the tires, compared to weight-reason being the gearing of the machine, for the stock 25" size. Any time you increase tire size without lowering gear ratio's, you will notice some power loss. I don't think the weight really bothers it that much.

The Outlaws will ride very rough on the hardpack-the 'Claws are surprisingly smooth for such a heavy lugged tire. The Outlaws, or even the Vamps are probably the better "pure" mud tire, but the 'Claws are a great mud/everything else tire that won't rattle your teeth out. I have pics at the link below of the 'Claws in deep snow, and will have some posted within the next week or two in some deep mud if you're curious as to how they look. Whatever tire you decide on, I'd stick with a narrower front (no wider than 10&quot, and put a 12" wide rear on. The traction gain is incredible, and the wider rear makes it more stable as well.

Anyway, best of luck with the decision. If you wind up with 28" tires and are worried about too much of a power loss, the performance kit or possible pipe if you can find one should be more than enough to make up the difference. Also, Minehunter has a little insight on a new clutch milling job that will dramatically increase the low end power, and increase top speed as well by up to a rumored 15mph with full milling done to the pulley sheaves. He's on vacation now, but I think he's looking seriously into having this done. If he goes ahead with it, you'll know right away how well it will work, and if goes as well as it's supposed to, you'll have no problem at all pushing the larger 28" tires, with your stock engine/pipe setup! I'm anxious to see myself how well it works, could be a large possiblity myself if it's that good.

Again, best of luck,

Mike

 

Mike's post is right on. I have 28"x12.5"x12" Outlaws all around on my 1999 AC 500 and my son has the same 27" Bi/Tri-Claw setup as Mike. If you go with the Outlaws you'll have no problem turning them with no extra power mods. However if you get a set up like I have i.e. 28"x12.5"x12" on the frount as well on the rear you'll need wheel spacers and there will be a lot more wear and tear on your frount end conponents like tie-rod ends, drive axels, cv's, bearings etc. and will be harder to stear. My self I like the wide tires up frount and dont mind the heaver stearing. As long as you keep your bearings and cv joints greased up tie-rods tight and watch your stearing when going down steep tight trails you'll be OK. My sons cat with the 27x9.75x12 Bi Claws up front and 27x12x12 Tri Claws in the rear is much more nimbel and EZ'er to handel. When I first got the Outlaws I mounted them on my sons 500 auto cat with out a lift or wheele spacers and his bike also had no problem with them. Thay would rub when hitting a large bump (his claws will also) and the large side wall lugs will rub the frount shocks when making a tight turn but the power loss was vary miner. From a dead stop I could spin the tires a good 10 feet or more. But ya know,, its hard to beat the Bi/Tri-Claw setup on a Auto Cat.

 

Scotto,

Did you get to test the Auto cat in the mud with the Outlaws?? I've talked to a few people with the Auto cat and the hard core mudders claim that the auto just don't have enough grunt when it gets deep. The have no problems at all on hard pack, but the mud is a problem with 28s.

For your Auto cat Mr. 2001Auto500, I would recomend 27" Outlaws if you are looking to get Outlaws. If you get 28s get 9.5" fronts. With the 10.5s they will still rub the shocks a slight amount with stock wheels, but since the 27s are narroworer than the 28 and 26" tires they should not rub.

But overall, since you have alot of hard pack I recomend you go with the less aggressive Magnum series Claws. They have ALOT of traction and are awesome in the mud, but have a MUCH MUCH MUCH better ride than Outlaws.

PS: I finially Got me a set of Outlaws for my cat, picked up a used set of 28x10.5x12 Outlaws for a fairly good deal.

 

Boner, I only had the Outlaws on Alex's auto cat for a few days but mud is the first thing I headed for. I heard so much about how well the Outlaws handled mud I wanted to find out for my self. I took it through a hole that gave me trouble with the stock titan 495s on my 1999. When in low range the auto cat has lots of power. It took awhile to figure out just when to use the low range on the auto. If you dont have the auto in low when going through deep water or mud the cat will bog down and if in deep water you'll flood the belt houseing and the belt will slip. But I found if you put it in low range and keep it pegged, dont stop in water, it wount lose its momentem. Now we go through some deep water and vary seldem need to drain the belt.

 

Well thanx all for info, I think that I will go with the bi\tri setup, I also like the price difference I found.