How do Vamps compare to 589's or any other tire. In the mud? snow? ride quality? handling hardpack and snow? woods? trails?

Honda 300 4x4,2000 atv superwinch, Kenda Rampage tires, and Oxlite bootguards.

[This message has been edited by MattH (edited 01-09-2000).]

 

See if you can locate a Sept 1999 issue of ATV Magazine. They did a comparison. Everyone has different needs and wants and expectations. Some are willing to sacrifice ride quality for performance and some will give up performance for a more all around tire. So, it depends upon what you want.

 

For mud and snow is there really any question?VAMPS!!!! But like txdoc2 says, if you want a smooth ride you'll have to give up some traction and go with a less aggresive tire. My vampires arent THAT rough. You can tell a difference but its not that bad. The reason it is kind of bad is because I run 15 psi in all of my tires!

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Matt Sibley

1999 Honda 300 4x4 Vampires, Lift Kit, 2500lb WARN winch

 

Matt,

Did u read Atv Magazine's Mud Tire Shoot out? They rated the 25"(!!) 589s a 9, while the the 27" Vamps was only slightly better with a 9.5. The 27" Mud Bugs got a 9 also and I ride with a guy who has those tires on his 450s. There are only a few places were the Vamps are better than the Mud Bugs.

As far the Vampires being good in the snow, I have heard other wise. One person even went so far as to call them dangerous in the snow.

 

I read the Atv Magazine Mud Tire Test that is wear I saw 589's first. I liked the review they got but I thought that I still wanted Vamps. After I heard about the Vamps poor performance in snow I'm thinking otherwise.(Live in Wisconsin so we have snow for as much as 5 or 6 months a year some years) If any one can tell me how there mud tires work in snow it would be much apprecated. How do you think Titan 589 would work in the snow?

 

I also live in Wisconsin, and I just ordered the 27" Titan 589's for my 500 Suzuki. I sure hope they work o.k in the snow!! I really didnt think about it too much before ordering! I should have the tires late this week or early next week. So maybe I can test it out! Allthough the snow is basically gone now!!!

 

Yes, I know all of the snow disappeared today. Good thing I went riding on Sunday. A test would be much appreciated on those tires to see if I want to get them.
Thanks

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I will try not to sound like a know-it-all, but I can tell you the Vampires have been excellent in the snow. I rode with a friend the end of last week who had Mud Runners on his machine (we both have 4x4 Polaris's).......we traded off....we rode tight, deep snow woods, open fields and a lake. I could tell no difference. My buddy said he preferred the Vampires! Both are highly superior to stock tires in snow. As far as Vampires being "dangerous".......any tire can be dangerous with a poor or inexperienced rider......meaning, if you expect a tire to save your rear (on a utility machine), your already in trouble. Good luck.

 

P.J.
So you had no problems with Vamps in the snow. They didn't slide, dig and get stuck, or have a lot of front end push? How deep was the snow? And why am I getting two different answers to vamps in the snow? How do the vamps perform in everything else? Could the Atv be making the difference in snow riding?

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Honda 300 4x4 Kenda Rampage Tires, 2000lb Superwinch, and Oxlite Bootguards

 

From what I have heard, vamps do well in snow too. I have never ridden in snow or even SEEN snow in over 10 yrs. Vampires are great, I've never seen anything but a picture of the goodyear mud runners, but they just dont look that hot! The MUD BUGS on the other hand look good and aggressive but are much lighter. If I ever slick down my vamps, I think I may buy some 26 inch mud bugs. The 26 inch mud bugs weigh about as much or probably less than the 25 inch vampires.

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Matt Sibley

1999 Honda 300 4x4 Vampires, Lift Kit, 2500lb WARN winch