I have stock tires on my 2004, 500 TRV. Due to the amount of driving I do on hard surface, I need to know what should I consider for possible new tires.

I think my stock tires are 489s. They're whatever comes on a 500 TRV....

Any suggestions.

P.S. Is it better to buy tires alone, or buy them already mounted on the rims. My current rims have no damage and look new.

 

I failed to mention that I find myself getting stuck in the snow if the TRV bottoms out. I know that the TRV weighs in at about 750# with my gear and then add my 200+ # and I'm talking a half ton.

My curiosity is, "does the tire design on my stock tires add to the problem of getting stuck in the snow?

 

If your rims are good shape .......Just get the tires........
Most up-grade to the rims for a more sporty look and shinny wheel

As for replacements..There are Stock 489 on my two Sportsman's 450's and the 2008 A/C TRV 400 has the Goodyear Radials.........Both have the good points and bad......
As for the stuck in the snow........The tire design is not the trouble as the ground clearance and you talked about bottom out........No tire will help with this.......however a softer rubber will help and a lower pressure to make a better footprint in the snow.......
Some put small screws into the lugs for traction on ice and snow......or chains will help at slower speeds for plowing.........Hope that helps.......Caper.........

 

Hey,
I picked up a set of rims and tires and change them by the seasons. In the summer I put the stock goodyears on because of driving on hard packed roads but put the big 28 mudlights when it's mud time or winter. 1 thing I got to say is, even though I get a few more inches of clearance with the 28's those big lugs will sink you fast in the snow if you spin with a plow on. All in all I like the big tires.

 

Thanks

Now I have some info to consider before I get some new threads...

 

My 03 400I 4x4 tires were the 489(?) and they lasted nearly 4 years of hard dirt riding. I went with ITP mudlite (the 3/4" lug) since they are 6 ply, light weight and cheap on ebay. They are pretty good but have to run them around 3psi and slime them really good. Tire still sometimes wants to dig down instead of grapping traction.
Roger

 

Bobpo,

I have had really good luck with 25inch mudlites on my TRV for year around use. Since you mentioned you ride hardpack a lot the mudlites will wear fairly quickly on that but you might try the Artrax CTX or Maxxis Bighorn in 25inch tires.

New tires may help you not getting stuck inthe snow but you may also want to check your machine for spring sag. These ATV's weigh about 750 empty and the springs sag under the constant weight. So when you ride it with a passenger you are not getting all the ground clearance you should. For me on my TRV it meant that when 2 adults, my wife and I rode it I had just under 8inches of GC. I have replaced the springs and shocks and installed hockey puck (as a spring preload) and I now have just under 12 inches of GC when my wife and I ride it. Just a thought.

SJ

 

Swamp JR,

When you got those Mudlites, did they come with the rims? Also, if you were running in snow. what tire pressure would you run?

I've been running these stockers for a little over 4 years now, but then I only have 475 total miles on it too.

My wife and I tried to get up a 30 degree sugar sand hill (about 500' long) and it bottomed out. She had to get off and I took it back down the hilll. It was throwing sand all over the place. I had gotten about half way up the hill before it bottomed out.

Sure appreciate the suggestions and comments.

SAVE THE ALCOHOL FOR AFTER THE RIDE...............! RIDE SAFE.....!

 

I am on my 3rd set of mudlite tires. I put about 3000miles on my stock Dunlop tires then switched to a set of 26inch mudlite tires that I mounted on my original steel rims. I put about 3500-4000miles on that set and then switched to another set of 26inch mudlites I put on my stock steel rims. Those tires had their life cut short as somebody, who figured they could not steal the ATV and live, slashed the tires. I then got a great deal on a set of 25inch mudlites and put those on my stock steel rims. This set is now nearing the end of its usefulness. I have just over 15,000 miles on the AC 400 and I will probably put a new set of 25inch mudlites on my stock rims. My rims are getting a little dinged up but they still hold air so I am keeping them.

I plow snow with my 400 and these tires work very well for me. I run about 5-6psi in the tires. If I think I might have closer to 8psi in the front due to the weight of the plow. During the summer I run about 6-8psi.

I ride in loose sand, gravel and rocks on a beach, then hardpack clay, soft peat and mud on trails. I ride in snow in the winter and have gone through snow drifts, without the plow, that come over the front rack. Tires dug right through it. Only thing I have found they do not work so hot on is glare ice. I run into that ice fishing. But as long as the ice is rough or has patched of snow here and there or cracks in the ice to grab it goes real well.

I have found that in loose sans, mud snow the ground clearence is what keeps you from bottoming out and stopping. SO take a look at how much GC you have with 2 adults on your TRV. I think you will be surprised at what your GC is once you put 400-500 pounds on the machine with two adults. I am guessing 8inches or less.

SJ

 

Swamplites.