Does anybody have Vampires on their Polaris? Any photo's would be greatly appreciated. I'm seriously considering getting a set of those or Mud Bugs. Oh yea, does a lift kit really make that big of a difference in ground clearance?

 

I just ordered a lift kit from highlifter, as I am planning on adding 27" bi/tri-claws to my Sportsman 500. One thing I do want is increased ground clearance, as I do a lot of sno-riding. I've been told that I do not NEED a lift kit with the 27" tires, but I am making the decision for MYSELF to gain a little altitude. This is my first venture into lifting a quad, or lifting any vehicle for that matter, and am looking forward to it.

 

bushhog,
I have a friend who swears by the vampire tires, I have found them a little rough on the harder ground but they work good in the sloop. A lift kit wiil not give you ground clearence, the size of the tire you run is the only thing that raises the total height of your quad. A lift kit raises up the body to allow for clearence for oversized tires from your fenders and other componets so the tires don't rub or bottom out. If you want more ground clearence go with a 26 or 27 inch tire, this will give you a better advantage in the mud and snow, but it will slow down top speed and raise your center of gravity, which effects your manuverability. It is a trade off, If you are mostly in the mud and snow then the taller setup will treat you well. If you are mostly doing fast trail rides with an average amount of mud then i think that the stock height works better, just get the more aggressive tire like a bi-claw or Vampire at your stock size.See ya in the woods

 

Hey multiple 500's -

Where are you at in Marienville? I'm located up in McKean, PA but we have a camp in Muzette. We ride down there often as does Mike Chero.

<A HREF="http://www.godigital-design.com/96Polaris.html">Schultz Motorsports</A>

 

Bushhog,
The only thing that will increase your ground clearance is your tire size.

 

Several people on this forum use vampires and most of them like them. Other people like the
bi/tri-claws. My new favorite is the mud bug.
A picture of it is on page 111 in the feb. dirtwheels magazine. I started a topic in utilities called mudbug anybody tried them. Someone posted a picture of there atv with mudbugs. They are now my new favorite.

rangerchet polaris xpedition 425cc 5 speed.

Woops. Someone else posted about mudbugs in utilities section and posted the picture. I started a mud bug topic in the "other" forum as I had not found the mud bug topic at the time. rangerchet

[This message has been edited by rangerchet (edited 01-18-2000).]

 

ditchhopper and mulitple500's,

You are part wrong.

On most quads which have straight rear axles, the only way to increase the MINIMUM ground clearance is to change to larger tires.
Now on a quad with IRS only needs a lift kit to get more clearace because the rear axle is not the lowest point, but largere tires give you even more clearance.
But a lift kit raises the ground clearance at the frame, and the frame draging is the biggest reason for getting stuck where I ride.

 

I'm sorry, I should have mentioned the IRS. If I'm not mistaken, the lift kit will push away from the springs and against the A-arms forcing the A-arms down some,thus creating more ground clearance.I just wasn't sure how much.

 

I have 26" Vampires all the way around and have had no problem. Currently running about 14-psi in the rear tires to help the steering and maybe reduce wear and tear on the CV joints.
In the mud no complaints with traction but when we ride in rocky terrain the stock tires will be on.

A 2" lift kit in front was installed by the dealership for tire clearance, I don't think this was needed but it didn't hurt.


[This message has been edited by griz (edited 01-18-2000).]

 

I am going to take some pics of a 500SP tomorrow, if time allows, that has 28" vampires and will get them posted, if someone can give me some help on on to do it. Hear me?, Boner.