I was hoping for some feeedback from someone with more knowledge of aftermarket tires than I have.

I realize that most people replace tires because of wanting better traction in mud. I have seen many posts regarding indecision of tire purchases and possible adverse effects to their performance when not running through a mud hole.

I am looking for a do it all tire. My riding is a wide variety of conditions with no one type of terrain on most rides. I cant resist a nice big hill climb or a mud hole but most of the guys I ride with dont care to take the same route. It seems that a fair portion of any ride is trail hardpack and often smooth.

When I replaced my Scram tires I stuck with the Titan 489s that came stock on it. I felt they were a very good all around tire. I allways slime my tires as soon as they went on and have never had a flat and Ive pulled some fairly large thorns out of my tires. I dont see a definate advantage with going to a 6 ply tire. I've heard some say a 6 ply will at times not give as nice a ride because there isnt as much sidewall flex. Is this true? Would I be better off going with a tire such as another 489 or maybe a Maxxis Sure Track. Would a 4 ply still be lighter than a 6 ply after sliming the tire? Do those of you that run a 6 ply still use some type of sealant in your tires? I can remember a tire shootout in one of the Mags recently that rated both of these tires as very good all terrain tires but that was before the 589 were out I think. I know that Maxxis markets the Sure Track as a tire that offers "better steering" for 4x4s, is that just a bunch off crap?

I've seen alot of posts with people wondering if the added weight of a larger and heavier tire would effect their overall performance of the quad. If I'm not going to be in the mud alot do I have any advantage by going with a taller than stock tire? I also see that alot of the times you guys do tires and wheels at the same time. Is an aftermarket .190 aluminum wheel better than a stock aluminum wheel? The wheels on both of my quads have the outer edge of the rim banged up, my Scram more than my 650 but even my 650 has some wiggle in it allready. Ive never banged one hard enough to break the bead but I dont want to be sitting on the trail with one flat because of a run in with a rock.

Sorry for the lenght of the post but I want to make a good tire decision.

 

Look at the 489 x/t's, they are a little more aggressive tread but won't ride much rougher than your regular 489. if you go to a 6-ply I dont see the need for tire sealant's. also I have Dirt Devil's on my Pra. 650, they are great in all different terrain, ride only a little harder than stock, and are wearing great. have almost 1000 miles and they are hardly wore, plus I bought mine from Tread depot for 190 bucks, total at my door. that was for 25-8-12's and 25-10-12's. the smaller sizes are even cheaper.

 

Stakk...I did look at the Dirt Devils. Did they effect handling in any way? You said it rode a little harder than stock. Did the extra stiffness of the tire give you a better feeling cornering than the stocks? I dont like the way the fronts feel on my Kawi, there seems to be too much sidewall flex.

 

you could try 489 on the front and get the 589 for the rear. thinking about doing this on my 660.

 

The Dirt Devil's made a pretty big diff. in handling, it steers much quicker now, handle more crisp and tight also, and it is because of alot less sidewall flex, it is like a different machine. like I said it doesn't ride that much rougher either. I run 5psi front and back and it rides and handles fine. the biggest thing is these things are not wearing hardly any at all, I highly recommend them and think you won't be dissapointed. the quad will not dive and wallow back and forth now.

 

Stakk...How do the Dirt Devils compare in size. Are they true to their sizes? Ive did a little searching on the web and I'm guessing they dont come in 26". Has anyone seen a 26" Dirt devil? I didnt want to go to a 27" and thought a 26" might be a nice compromise for a little extra GC, but if the Dirt Devils run a bit taller maybe I'll stick with their 25".

 

They go up to 28's just go to www.Treadepot.com. my 25's are about a half inch shorter than the stock one's, so if you want true 25's go with the 26's, if you want 26's go 27's it seems goodyear and alot of other's are slightly shorter than what they say. The tire's you may want come in 26-10-12 front and 26-12-12 rear's. the phone no. is 1-888-421-8473,I looked for weeks ,I don,t think you;ll find them cheaper anywhere else.

 

like a lot have said the 489 x/t is a good choice i would stay away from 589s on a Scrambler(too aggressive).Chen Chin Jackals are good too i have a set of them on my magnum and have had good luck with them (good all around tire).I have Gators on my Sportsman and they dont impress me as much as the Jackals. ------------------------------Brad ----------96 425 Magnum 4x4 White spring ,K&N filter-------96 400 Sportsman green spring