Tonight I was out riding and I noticed I have a tear on the side wall of my front-left tire. It is about 1/4" long and 1/8" deep. I'm not sure what to do, should I replace the tire?

I've thought of several options:
1) put a patch over the tear, and fill the tire with some sealant.
2) replace the tire with the same MAXXIS M977
3) replace both front tires with something like mud lites
4) replace all 4 tires with mud lites

The big dilemma is that the quad is brand new, and the tires are hardly used. The tires aren't that great, but work for my purposes at the time being.

I hate to drop cash on a new tire when I don't even like the tires. However, I am strapped for cash. Any thoughts, comments, or suggestions?

 

dont replace them with mudlites.. they have weaker side walls.. id replace it or seal it..

but if you do replace them get like swamp lites for the highlifter mud tires

 

What is a good tire for mostly rocky terrain? There isn't much mud around here, but I do take occasional trips to muddy areas.

 

I agree with Hondarider. Depending on where you ride, my Mudlites had constant slices in the sidewalls (with many plugs). What I did on occasion with a situation like yours, was poke thru and plug it. Problem is that if they are stock tires, and you ride in rocky or shale covered areas, it will more than likely happen again. Good aftermarket tires are the way to go.
Hope this helps.
Buck

 

So what are some good choices for tires will good sidewalls for rocky terrain?

 

For the time being I would put a tube in the tire. last one I had to do for my hunting partner cost about $15 and that included the tube plus thier instalation fee. I had them put a patch over the tire where the stick poked through and install an appropriate sized tube.

Wecould not get the tire slime stuff to seal the leak. Had about 3 bottles of the stuff that will seal up toa 1/4 inch hole in the one tire and still no luck. My partner's dilema was spend $150 for 2 tires (Kenrda executioners) or pay about $15 for a tube. He is not a financial wizard and he was able to figure that one out.

SJ

 

Can you put a tube in a radial tire? It is a Maxxis M977.

 

We have not had any issues with it. I would suspect you would be fine as long as you are not racing around at highway speeds. My brother's suzuki has had a tube in his rear tire for nearly 3 years now. His tires are ITP mudlites which I believe are radial tires. So as long as the tear is not huge it should be fine.

SJ

 

maxxis big horns or, terracross are great tires for rocks and trails

 

Which one has a tougher sidewall? My research seems to indicate the Maxxis is better for rocks. It has a 6ply on the sidewall.