Why are Carlisle tires ignored?
 

They don't offer sand tires but they do look to offer quite a selection. How come many of you seem to snub them? Am quite happy with their AT489 tire.


Carlisle Transportation Products

The AT 489 are the Stock tires on the Polaris Sportsman for some time now 2010 Polaris Sportsman® 800 Reviews, Prices, and Specs so their are a lot out there. I think a few others use them as their OEM tire as well.

Carlisle also makes the A C T which are original equipment tires on some Can-Ams and made tires for Polaris called the PXT if I remember right. For original tires they were pretty good. But, they are usually 3 ply and if you hit the sidewall on a sharp object are known to get ripped pretty easily. Most folks with utility machines go to a 6 ply which is a lot sturdier. I still have the A C T tires on my Outlander and they've only got one hole so far. Not bad.

The 489, ACT (PXT), and Terrathon have all been stock tires on Polaris at one time or another. I had 489s on my Trailblazer and thought they were a great all around tide. So far I like the PXT radials but my quad seems to wander a little at 50 MPH on pavement (which they aren't made for). Some people here called Terrathons Terriblethons but I don't know what issues they had except one person said there was no traction on wet leaves.

If only the 489's weren't so expensive, I would probably buy some to replace the rears on my 2x4 Rancher. But so many other tires are about the same price or cheaper and perform better in all kinds of terrain. They do last a long time, had them on Polaris machines before and they take forever to wear out.

I've bought Carlisle tires twice, once for a tandem axle trailer and once for the front of a small tractor that rides on the trailer. I replaced the tractor tires with Goodyears the following year when I got tired of the problems. The trailer tires are being replaced as they fail....

I think they offer the ACT and the 489's in a 6 ply version, the tread design is different though (which I don't get why).

I believe it's called the ACT HD or something like that. But, the tread depth is still around 3/4". If I'm going to spend money to replace the OEM's I want more depth than that.

The 489 has been the OE tire on each of the last three machines I've bought (two Arctic Cats and a Polaris).

Never had a flat with them. Ride quality is good. That's all the positive things I can say about them.

Traction is HORRIBLE. They are 4-ply rated so I'm not sure how they'd handle rocks and stumps if you ride in those environments. They are expensive. Did I mention they have zero traction? Isn't the point of an all-terrain vehicle to be able to go places other vehicles can't go? Why would you put a tire on an ATV that sucks in mud and snow?

So typically, the first thing I've always done is throw the 489s in the nearest trash dumpster and buy some tires that actually have bite. Having said that...due to finances at the moment I'm having to ride my Polaris on the stock 489s. I almost got stuck in a 3 ft wide creek with 3" of water in it. Just terrible.

More money for less traction? 489 is your tire.

I bought a set of mud tires from 4wheelonline, I believe the model is Titan. Cost me about $95 each. Not that expensive but worth the money.
Carlisle ATV Tires now 20% Off