I'm looking for some good all around tires for my 2000 Yamaha big bear. Its 4wd, 400 cc. It still has the factory tires on it but they're getting thin, I'm looking for a good replacement tire. I've got my eye on either the AMS swamp fox, or the inova mud gear. I've seen both in person and they look like a good upgrade from the stock tires. They seem to be reasonably priced as well. Does anyone have any experience with these tires? I'm also torn between staying with the stock 25" tires or going up to 26" tires. I think that the low geared bear should be able to handle them but I'm not sure. I ride mostly hard pack trails and dirt roads, with some hill climbs and some light mud here and there. Thanks.

 

I just put a set of swamp lights on my 400. these things will push me through anything. They have more grip than the 400 has power.

 

Any tires are a uprade from stock Yamaha Dunlops tires, they use the bare minimum in trail tires when stock. They look bald when new with their 0.7" lug and are only 2ply or 4ply I think.

I put on 6ply 26x9 fronts and 26x11 rears Maxxis Zilla's with tall 1.19" mud lugs on my 350 Grizzly and the machine handle them no problem so your 400 Big Bears larger tires without a problem.

But Maxxis Zillas are the lightest 6ply mud tire made when you compare their weight to others. http://www.mud-throwers.com/inc/sdetail/6590/12045

A large 27x9-12 Zilla is 20.3 lbs while a smaller and narrower 25x8-12 ITP Mudlite XL with a shorter 1" lug is almost the same at 19.7 lbs. in comparison. http://www.mud-throwers.com/inc/sdetail/6593/515

 

If you're still thinking about Swamp Fox tires you should look at the Swamp Fox Plus. It has almost twice the lug height. It would take a lot longer to wear them out.

 

Im still considering the swamp foxes, but ive read that the run short. It actually has Maxxis tires on it, but they're not very durable. They have been plugged a few times, and one front tire has a 6-8" gash in the sidewall that has been patched. I've looked at the zillas and read good things about then, but the tread design just doesnt appeal to be and they seem to be fairly expensive. I forgot to mention that I'm also considering kenda bear claws. They have a good reputation and are reasonably priced as well.