Would love to put 27" claws on 02 Kodiak. Has anyone done it? Does it rub? Do you feel to high?

Thanks

 

I'm not sure if the 27's will work without a lift or spacers. I've asked tire related questions here before and it seems like very few have tried larger tires on the Kodiak (or they just don't want to post).

I'm looking at 26 inch Bear Claws or Blackwater. The Blackwaters come in a narrower width for the front (same as stock), but are much more expensive. For the Bear Claws, the only size suitable is wider than stock.

I think I'll need to add a lift kit or wheel spacers or maybe both. I already rub the stock tires occasionally when doing tight turns and compressing the suspension at the same time. It doesn't happen often, only when in real knarly stuff. Does this happen to you?

I did buy a 1 inch lift kit, but have not installed it. I am concerned about added stress on the front CV joints. I think I would rather go with wheel spacers first.

Let us know what you do.

2tall
2001 Kodiak

 

I looked at all the other tires, and I know I can get 26" bi's, but the tread is not nearly as aggresive for the back, I know it is just about if not the same front, but I reallllly like that triclaw back, I may go ahead and put the lift on (or in correct terms, have my husband do it) and go for the tri/bi.

I also like the looks of the goodyear tires. But I want something that will be awesome in the mud and water, we don't find it very often, and do good in the woods, which is what we ride in most of the time. (and snow)

I don't recall seeing the Blackwater. I'll go find them and take a look.

As far as rubbing, I'm not sure. I ordered the 02 Kodiak from up in your neck of the woods, so I could have black, and it got stuck at the border. Sooo, it is to be here Monday. Hopefully.

What kind of terrain do you ride in up there?

 

I had a 2001 Koadiak with a highlifter lift kit and 27 inch bi and tri magnums on itp magnum billet rims.It didnt rub and the only thang you will need to do is rejet the carb beacaese it will throw it off.(could be cause of my snorkle i had)it will run like stock with little power loss

 

Hey MrsSilverbear...

Congrats on the new Kodiak. I think you'll love it. I hear a lot of guys saying it is what their wife rides. I don't see it as a ladies machine, if there is such a thing. I'm 6'6", 240 lbs and find it to be a very good all round machine.

My riding is mostly bush, little used trails and cutting our own trails. I ride through a lot of swamp, cross a lot of beaver dams, crawl over rocks and through dense brush. Other than a part time locker front axle, I can't say that I would want anything else on the machine (other than tire up-grades and the usual accessories).

I know that bigger machines like the sportsmans and grizzlies would have a difficult time going the places I go. They are just to big and heavy. Bigger is not always better.

Enjoy your Kodiak.

2tall
'01 Kodiak

 

Am running 27" Blackwater XT's on the wives Kodiak, not much of a mud tire, but better than the stock ones. Put Bi-Tri-Claw on my 02 Griz, and love them, will eventually put Claws on the Kodiak.

 

When I bought my Claws I stuck with the stock size up front and went with an inch wider on the rear. I think I could have gone with 26" all around... but I'm THRILLED with the Claws all around. I ride on a bunch of differant stuff, mud, hard pack, gravel. I'm very happy with my Kodiak and I don't plan on adding anything major sept maybe air filter and the normal stuff (GPS, Box...)


Andy

 

Kodiak Riders~

How does the Kodiak do on uneven terrain. I know the front is independent, and the back has a rear monoshock. Do you ever have problems with the back tires not both making contact? I'm kinda curious, and as the wife said, the Black Kodiak should be here Monday. Can't wait to get it. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

SilverBear

 

Thanks all for your input.

27" bi/tri's is what it will be, Mr. Silverbear said he would put the lift on it.

I just hope it doesn't put me too high in the air, I am soooo short, that I start getting nausus at minimal hights [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I don't know if we will be able to find too much mud, but I want to be ready for it if we do. After seeing all the pics out there, it looks like a heck of alot of fun. So I will be searching for mudholes every trip now.

Thanks again for the input, I'll put pics up after it gets here, and then again after the tires and lift go on it. (probably in Jan)

 

You will find the Claws tough to beat, the boys down south say that the Outlaw is the best all out pure mud tire, but rides rough and wears fast, the Claws are a little lumpy below 5 to 7mph, but smooth out above that and should not be much behind the Outlaws in the mud, they say the Laws pulled harder, but up here in the Northeast I am happy with a tire that will get me thru everything, even if it is not quite as fast in the mud. If you look at the Claws it looks as though the design, compared to the Outlaws, is similar. I believe that the Claws are the meanest mud tire you can get that still gives a good ride on hardpack and pavement.