i have an 06 yamaha kodiak 450 4x4. i recently went trail riding for the first time. hoe fun it was. the stock tires suck big time. im needing something for trail riding- mostly mud, sand, etc.... i want something that wont ballup with mud and id like self-cleaning tires. also, should i go stick with the stock size, 25-8-12/25-10-12 or go with 26" tires?? i cant afford radials, so 6ply would do fine. any suggestions? thanks....Tim

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: burnt3d

i have an 06 yamaha kodiak 450 4x4. i recently went trail riding for the first time. hoe fun it was. the stock tires suck big time. im needing something for trail riding- mostly mud, sand, etc.... i want something that wont ballup with mud and id like self-cleaning tires. also, should i go stick with the stock size, 25-8-12/25-10-12 or go with 26" tires?? i cant afford radials, so 6ply would do fine. any suggestions? thanks....Tim</end quote></div>


I would stick with the stock size so that you don't change your gear ratio and the extra 1/2 inch of ground clearance won't do much for you except make your wallet a little lighter. You want low to be low and not 2nd gear.
Sounds to me like you want an agressive tire that is also smooth. Both of what I run on the front and rear are that.
What I have on the front is because of the side lugs and crown profile. What I have on the back is because of the deep lugs but NO side lugs.
Actually if you are sort of a newbie then I would stay away from side lugs period. But you certainly don't want them on the back.
Based on that you can get the MudCats in your tire size with 1" deep tread for cheap money. They are smooth, dig really good, grab any surface, and work good in the mud and clean out very good.. And they seem to do ok in sand too. And they are 6ply. And I think the only tire you can get in 25" with 1" (32/32") tread depth. All others are mostly 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch deep. The Mudcats are a low, flat profile tire. Good for handling - less sidewall roll-under.
Here is a link for the specs and pricing, set of 4 will be under $200.00.
http://www.tiresunlimited.com/...ang/MudCat/MudCat.htm

Here is a picture.
http://www.tiresunlimited.com/images/TBC/Mud-Cat.jpg

If you check my pictures they are the ones on the back of my AC.

 

It all depends on the type of riding you do. If a little mud and trail riding is included, look at the Interco Swamplites. Not a mudding tire but a good trail tire with mudding capabilities. If mud is not in the picture as much, look at the Titan or ITP 489's. A good trail tire with little mud ability.
As far as going bigger. If ALOT of mud is in your future, 26" tires are fine, otherwise stick with the 25". My pics include the Swamplites with ITP rims.
Happy riding!
Buck

 

i would say 50% mudding and 50% trail riding. the placei go has LOTS of mud. Tim

 

25" Mud Bugs have 1.2 in of tread. [img]C:\Documents and Settings\Bourgeois\My Documents\My Pictures\ATV Stuff\101220573shLyzG_fs.jpg[/img]

 

bugs or gators would be a great choise.

 

who makes the gator or mud bugs?

 

maxxis makes the bugs, and gbc makes the gators.

 

which tire, mud bugs or gators, would have the longest tread life? Tim

 

Mud Bugs actually wear better and they're lighter than Gators.