Aside from ground clearance, what would be the advantages/disadvantages of going up or down a size? My stock tires are 22x7x10 and I am looking at the Holeshot XTC which is 23x8x10 and the six ply, 21x7x10 MaxxisPro XGT. I do all of my riding on woods trails like the GNCC's. Any input would be appreciated.

 

You shouldn't lose any top end by going up one inch. If you go up 1 inch in tire size you will actually go a little faster. A 22 tire will travel 69 inches with one revelution of the axle. Whereas a 23 inch tire will travel 72 inches.

Remember math class, Pi time diameter equals circumference.

 

I left out some crucial information. I am inquiring about front tires. Will the handling be affected by changing the size?

 

This is an opinion..this is ONLY an opinion with no mathamatical data or hands- on experience to back it up. With that said, I have run 20" rears with stock fronts on my Warrior since forever. The 1" difference in the radius has had no discernable effect on the handling insofar as the front end goes. Based on that I would doubt that a 1/2"diference in radius in a 23" tire would have much if any, effect either. I'm sure you know one benefit in doing this would be the extra 1/2" ground clearance at the rotor & sprocket; could be a big help in XC. Another possible benefit(theoretically) would be the possible geometric change in steering as it effects cornering. It could force more weight to the front tires thereby reducing understeer. Of course, your front tires play a part in this also.
On the negative side, I'd think this same weight or geometric shift could possibly add even more weight to an already front heavy machine, making it even harder to lift the front end when desired.
Well, that's my nickel's worth, and you know
what they say about theories.
Oh, one negative in your plan would be that it would give you more sidewall and that = more rollover in corners, more chance of punctures. Not sure where ITP puts their 6 plies but if not bead to bead the tire would suffer in the sidewall area.

 

Here's another thought I had regarding tire heights; a 23" tire isn't necessarily 23" tall. A given tire size may be what it claims to be * some are more, some are less with the recommended inflation. If you primary concern is gaining extra clearance, you might want to contact ITP and ask their tech exactlywhat their actual height is with their recommended PSI. I run BanditXC's all round & pure Sports production mgr told me that their new 22" Bandit XC is slightly more than 22" at 5 PSI. I run mine at 6 PSI all round.
You may be closer to your goal with Bandits than you realize, depending on what ITP tells you. In any event, the Bandit is a true 4 ply & with the Kevlar band running bead to bead I really think it to be superior in rigidity (read cornering) to a 6 ply which may actually be a 4 ply anyway.