I've been shopping around for a new set of tires for my 450ES. It's kinda confusing when you see all the ads. One advertises a narrow 26" on the front with a wide 26" on the back, both on the same size wheel. Another shows 25"front/26"rear. How important is it to have the same diameter tires on front and rear? Anyone have any thoughts?

 

You should use the same diameter tire front and rear because the gear ratios are the same. Different diameter tires could cause problems in the drivetrain down the road. Honda 300's use 1" size smaller in the front compared to the rear but i have seen people use the same diameter all around with no real problems. But they have different gear ratios front and back. I think it is easier to steer with narrower tires in the front compared to the back unless you do a lot of mudding then you might want wide tires in front also.

 

Exactly. Check your stock tires. You must keep the same ratio on a 4wd. If your stock fronts and backs are the same height, then make your aftermarket tires equal in height. If your stock fronts are an inch smaller, then the aftermarket fronts must stay an inch smaller than the rears. (I.E. 24front/ 25 rear = either 25front/26rear or 26front/27 rear).