Hello everyone...first post here.

I'm need a new set of tires for my 05 Arctic Cat 500 manual. I was running 26x9x12 - 26x12x12 Swamp Foxs on my machine last year. The foxs were ok, but not very good on rocks. I finally tore a big hole in them and had to put the factory tires back on to finish hunting season. The factory tires are Carlise Badlands XTRs in 25x8x12 - 25x11x12. I'm not fond of the Badlands, so I'm looking to get a new set of tires.

I have narrowed my choices down to either Bighorns or Duro Powergrips, as I ride about an equal amount of big rocky inclines, hardpack, light to medium mud, fairly deep ruts, and gravel. All of my riding is done in the mountains...primarily hunting.

Money is really not an issue, but I want to be sure to get the best value. The Powergrips seem like a good bargain, but they only come in 25x8x12 - 25x10x12. Bighorns go up to 27x12x12.

Question #1: Will I notice a major difference in traction and stability if I were to downsize to the 25x10x12 Duros? Man, I wish Duro made 12 inchers...

Question #2: I know the Bighorns have a great reputation, and I like the idea of 27x12x12s on the rear, but am wondering will that larger tire be that much better than the duros? Also, how much more of a strain could I expect that the 27s would put on my bike?

I've never been this indecisive before...I've been trying to make my mind up for 2 weeks now. Someone please give me some input and opinions.

 

One word:

Swamplites. Perfect for everything you described. I do all of the above, and am going on my 4th year with not a single puncture and almost 80% treadlife. Look at my pics, and you will see they are a good aggressive tire for what you want.

 

i listened to v2rider and ivested in the swamplits last year, ive been looking at them since they came out but wasnt sure about them. I went with 28s as they are 28x10x12, same all the wat around. I find it better in mud as they dont tend to push mud like you would if you had 12" wide rear tires. best tire ive ever had. my last tires were 27" 589s. swamplites are way better in every way.

 

Just ordered a set of outlaw mst's ,read the report on freetrapper.com.Sounds like a good alll-aroud tire ,rocks ,mud ,snow and hard trail, 26x9 1/2 x12, 26x12x12. Highlifter has 15% off on their tire's and rims
------------------------
07 650 trv, stock for now

 

Titan 589's is the only way to go. If you have a 05 500 they will out last your bike. Mine have7500 miles on them and still 75% tread left. I have went through 2 frames on my bike, brakes, all bushings and wheel bearings. So if I was you, you might be better off ditching the bike and getting a different brand. Not kiding! Pull off your seat and check the sheet metal where the seat hooks under, if you have very many miles on it in the mountians its probly cracked, the frame tubes will be next. Check out the cracked frames, both here and on Arcticchat. Sorry bout the news, but the tires are the real deal!

 

Question1: There will be a gain in traction going from an 11 inch wide rear tire ot a 12 inch wide rear tire but depending on air pressure inthe tire it may not be noticeable. I think the same can be said with going from the 11inch wide tire to a 10inch wide tire. It is very hard to tell unless you have the tires mounted on rims and took measurements off of each. I can tell you that even though the tiire height for both tires says 25inches the tires may not be the exact same height mostly due to tire/tread design. For instance when I went from a 25inch Dunlop tire to a 25inch ITP mudlite the mudlite tires were nearly 1 inch taller when inflated to the same psi as the dunlop tires. Since you said you ride in a lot of rocks I would get the ones with the best rim protection and has a 6ply rating for puncture resistance.

Question 2: From my experience where guys get in trouble has been going with a larger tires (1-2 inches height and width) then get that heavier tire spinning from loss of traction and have it then catch or grab. Like spinning in mud, climbing a hill in loose gravel etc. When it grabs it puts a bunch of strain on the drive system. Either the bearings, axles, or CV joints take the punishment. Since these machines are not built like superman something gives out. Ususally a broken axle or premature CV joint or wheel bearing failure.

On a side note you said you use it more hunting driving in rocks. If there are hills associated with these rocks then you also want to take into consideration your center of gravity. A wider tire will give a larger more stable base but a taller tire will raise the already high center of gravity of your AC. AC has a higher center of gravity due to its high ground cleanance. Personally if I would go for stock height but wider if I rode in an area as you have described. I would aslo make sure I had steel rims and the tires were 6ply with good rim guard edges.

SJ

 

The Swamplites are over an inch taller than stock even with the stock size tire.

 

I have an 04 500 Automatic. I put Mud lite 27s on it when it was brand new. I love the tires but did have to replace the front last year. They had about 1000 miles on them. Tread was in excellent shape but the tire started tearing. I couldnt count on them but again they lasted me 6 years with never a problem and I ride pretty hard on shale rock which can be sharp.

In my opinion 1" isnt going to give you enought traction that you would ever notice it. A 500 has a hard time spinning 27s unless in the mud. In fact thats the only time they will spin on mine. I wish I had gone back with 26s, for the simple reason that I dont like the extra rpm's needed to get the kitty moving.

Good luck and if 529's do last 7500 miles then I would take a serious look at those.