Thu October 12, 2006 2:36 PM (NEW!)



Ok, I've posted this before but I still can't decide.

Anyone care to list the following:

What non stock tires are you running?

Why?

What differences do you notice?

What kind of riding do you MOSTLY do?

What kind of wheels are you using?

What kind of quad are you riding?

Radial or non radial?

Ply rating?

I'm stuck between Holeshot ATR's, Mud Lite XTR's, Carlisle ACT's(XT model tires) Bighorns and the basic Mud Lite non radials.

Any responses will be appreciated.

My type of riding is mostly mountain riding, we cross some streams, climb a LOT of hills but don't do a LOT of mud riding, mostly whatever we encounter along a trail but don't go looking fo it. I'm also looking at going from 26" to 25" tires/wheels, anything I should expect to experience from this switch?

 

Swamplites[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Rancher-Holeshot ATR's on ITP 12X7" Magnum rims (the way light predecessor to the C-series). We ride mostly at altitude in the Eastern Sierra and Inyo's. Best snow tire of all time! I pull boarders in very deep snow, no problem. Very tough casing, doesn't get cuts even on nasty rocks. Front tread pattern is superb, back tread is a little sketchy on hardpack (lugs are kind of to widely spaced).

These are radial, and improved handling immensely. I do have to carefully experiment with tire pressure however. If they are to hard, I get a lot of feedback through the steering, from the trail.

 

Ok, well I think I'm going to stick to the holeshots then. Sounds like they are a little better for overall performance since mud isn't a major issue. Sounds like they do pretty well in the snow as well.

Swamplites look a little too beefy for my use. Some trails we hit turn to pure rock just like that.

 

I'm running the 25's (stock tires are 24's). Word is that the Rincon is geared kind of high, so it doesn't handle tall tires well (loss of low end power)?????

 

gators![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

These are for my Outlander BTW.

 

You had posted some tire questions about the Rincon back when as I recall (???), so I assumed it was for that.

The 800 should be able to handle anything...........

 

I'm running mudlites, they really handle well in all conditions here in ca. They are really awesome in the snow.

 

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Right now on my Sportsman 500 in forest and desert, I'm using stock wheels with Rawhide Grips. They are 6 ply and are okay in anything but snow/mud where they are marginal.

More important, from my research and observation of fellow riders--for western sand/forest/rocks, but minimal mud/snow, I would choose Maxxis Bighorn Radials. They seem to be the toughest, longest lasting tires around. Some complain that the weight keeps them from going as fast on top end, but that's not a factor for me. I don't often (read: never) have to go 60mph. The ones I've ridden on seem to be even smoother than mine--and I only run 4 lbs. in front and rear.

As to switching to aftermarket wheels, I'm out 3-4 times per week in summer and I don't have time to keep my wheels polished and soap washed--just hosed to get off heavy mud from puddles/streams, and I don't do even that if they are only dusty. Why would I want chrome or shiny wheels? Maybe if I wanted to look good in parades and when parked at shows, etc.

GJRonK