It's been almost two years since I've logged in here. Good to see the AC forum still alive. My current ride is a '06 500 Auto. Love the bike, but not totally satisfied with the ride quality. My Dad's Polaris rides like a Cadillac compared to my AC. I've been reading the "Tippy" post and have decided to take the plunge.

I can tell you that I'm DARN sick of the Carlisle tires. My experience with the so far is that I am continually losing air in them, they keep breaking their bead and have punctured them several times. I CAN say that they do have impressive grip for my purposes and I am very happy with their traction. I used to have some GBC Dirt Devils. By the look of the tread on the DD's you'd think that they'd be the best gripping tire on the planet. But when it came down to it, all they wanted to do was dig a hole, rather than push you along. They were really bad about spinning, I didn't know how bad they were until I experienced the stock Carlisles and they basically embarrass the DD's for practical riding in the mountains of South-Eastern Kentucky. Now, to put in in perspective, the stock tires on my old AC 375 Auto called Dunlop KT or XT (I Dont remember), and they were the worst tire on the planet for traction, might as well have put slicks on the quad, they were AWFUL.

Last weekend I was out riding and saw the ITP Terra Cross tires. Boy did those suckers look like a tremendous tread. But they are very $$$$ - no way says the Ether..

So here's the part were I ask for help

- I want to stick with a 25" tire
- I don't care much about deep mud performance as 99.9% of my riding is rutted trail, rock, and steep uphill
- I guess I need a 6 PLY tire with stiff sidewall not a Radial as apparently the radials are tippy in the AC's (me no likey tippy) - Is this true?
- I intend to stick with the Stock widths 8-9" front and 10" back.
- I'd like a tire that has rim protection
- I'd like to keep the weight down as I don't want to lose much of my acceleration


There you have it. Please send suggestions my way.


Thanks a Bunch...

...The Ether...

 

Been doing some digging.. At this time, Duro Power Grips, Maxxis Big Horns and ITP Terra Cross are all the type of tread that I'm looking for, The ITP's are $$$, and the Duro Power Grips have no sidewall tread and the Big Horns dont have any true rim guards. What to do, what to do..

 

Due to the quality of advice in another forum, I'm choosing the Big Horns. I thought I'd add this and close this thread

 

Hey ether, hope you are doing good! I remember when you were waiting and waiting for an H1 to come out and then got the 500! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

What you need are some Mudlite XTR's, Bighorns, Swamplites, or my favorite the Highlifter Outlaw MST's. Those are by far my favorite tire. Check ya later nut! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I know that the radials are more $$$ but especially with the terrain your riding you need the radials. The sidewalls on Bias tires suck and puncture easily.

I have an 06 400 and just put 26" ITP MudLite XTR's. Awesome!!

The best price there is, is at www.motoxmall.com.

25" ITP MudLite XTR's are $300.00

I went with 26's with ITP aluminum rims were $525.00