Im looking at geting some new rubber, should I get a lift kit, and how good are they??

 

That would depend on the size of the tires you'd be installing. Larger tires will increase your ground clearance and also increase the wear and tear on your machine. Lift kits will add to the wear by placing more stress on the front CV joints. Larger tires will raise your center of gravity and a lift kit will raise it even more, increasing your chances of a rollover.

Okay, those are a few of the negatives, now for the up side.

A lift kit will increase your ground clearance.
Can't really think of much else.

Just my opinion's...

 

Refiner:
BadCat is right, lift's will increase stress to the machine, as well as increase the center of gravity. However, the up-side to them is they do increase ground clearance substantially, and for the places I ride, that in itself has greatly increased the area's I can now ride-that I couldn't even think about before.

Do you ride an AC? If so, you're in luck. AC is blessed with about the most fender clearance between rubber, compared to any other machine out there. If you are running an AC, you'll be able to run much larger tires than normal, WITHOUT a lift kit. 27" Bi/Tri Claw combo fits fine on my 500 with no lift. I did install a set of spring spacers-to stiffen my front springs, due to sagging from excessive weight-which did give me a 1 1/2" gain in clearance. Even without my 3/8" spacers in, and my front end sagging, I still have ample room to run the big 'Claws.

Keep in mind though, a lot will depend on the size of tire, as well as the brand you go with. To my knowledge, the Bi/Tri Claws are the only tire that actually measure true to size, and actually a hair larger in fact. Most other manufacturers range anywhere from .25" clear up to .75" smaller than what they claim. This may benefit you better though, depending on what machine you have, for instance, a claimed tire that is 27" might not fit, yet in reality it only measure 26.5" and would just make it.

If you carry heavy loads most of the time up front on your machine, you might want to look at making a set of spacers for your springs. Basically they stiffen up the front (or rear) springs to handle heavy loads better. In doing so, they also give an increase in clearance, without subjecting your cv joints to the kind of stress that a lift kit would. However, the spacers do stiffen the ride when not under load, so they might not be an option. In this case, a lift kit will give you the increased clearance, yet maintain your stock ride characteristics i.e. smoothness of ride.

Hope that helps a little, isn't too confusing. Best of luck with the decision!

Mike

 

COWBOY HOW DID YOU MAKE THE SPRING SPACERS

 

If you put 27" or 28" tires on a 500 cat with 12" wide in the rear you should probably get wheel spacers to keep the tire from rubbing on the muffler. Other than that plenty of fender room.
Lift kits are definately hard on the cv joints. They can also cause extra ware all the way up to the front differential. I have a buddy that just took his apart that had the lift kit on his machine for approximately 350 miles, found lots of iron eaten up. Ended up costing him big time bucks. Best of luck!

 

An easy way to make the spacers is to go to the dealer and buy the spring retainer washers that are on each shock, buy 6 or 8 and stack them(either 3 or 4) under each spring on top of the existing washer on the shock body. I think they are under a buck or so. Or measure them up and search out a larger hardware store. If you still can't find them let me know. Aczr2k

 

Brownbear:
Easiest way is to just go to the local steel shop and have a set cut from either aluminum, or steel pipe. They were closed when I did it, so I bought a pair of shaft collars instead, and cut one set of 3/8", and one set of 1/2". The shaft collars measured 7/8" tall, so I got one of each out of both collars. It cost me a total of just under $4.00, after tax-something like that. They're cheap.

The washers would work too, but I like the "cleaner" look of a one-piece unit, as opposed to stacking several together. Either way works great, just a matter of personal preference. If you go with either pipe, or shaft collars and cut them yourself, make sure they're at least 1/4" in total wall thickness. That is your "base" for the large washer to rest on. Any thinner, and I doubt it would hold the spring assembly very well.

I put the 3/8" in the rear, which further stabilizes the machine, and increases it's weight carrying abilities, and the 1/2" up front. The 1/2" are too stiff though, and need to be cut back down to 3/8"-I've just been too busy to get the last set cut down.

Hope that helps,

Mike

 

Hey Refiner! I've been to Dawson's creek, there must be some great riding around there! If I were you I wouldn't run a lift kit because of all the hilly terrain around there. Every inch in ground clearance that you gain also raises the centre of gravity, which in turn increases your chances of rollover. For tires you should take a look at outlaws or Vampires if you like to ride in muddy terrain, or bearclaws, Mud runners, or Titan 589s for more of an all terrian tire [all in 25-27inch sizes(when available)].

 

If you would happen to put a lift kit on your machine, the spacers would help to offset the added height with the wider stance. First hand experience, I had this setup on my machine. With the spacers I didn't hardly notice any roll-over feeling.
Larry