Any idea whether I can run 26x10-12 tires on the front and 26x12-12 on the rear of my 2002 Honda Foreman 450ES without any modification ?

I am looking at a good deal on some Gators and any insight would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

I currently have 26x10x12 and 26x12x12 mud bugs on my '03 450ES and have no problems. No rubbing or anything. They will protect the rims a little better also. You should have no problems installing the gators. They are a similar tire to the mud bug. Can't wait to try mine out in the mud.

 

I have 27 inch ITP Blackwaters, I have no Problem, except getting stuck in the mud

 

Thanks - I appreciate the responses !

Have you noticed any big differences in terms of speed or steering with the larger tires? The stockers stink in the muck, but the 450 handles great on hardpack with the Dunlops . . .

 

no, i have no rubing or any other problems. i like how the 27 inch tires feel, ride well, handles well also..... but it is definetly not a cadilac

with the tire size difference the speedo is off but shows up around mid-40's the 450 is not a speed demon for sure


note when u hit a dip really hard with the tires turned it does rub the front fenders a little, but even with a few hundred pounds on the back i never have the rear tires rub

 

Swamp Cat,
the tire sizes you asked about will fit no problem! I had those sizes on my 1999 450. I had a lift kit on it but it was not needed for tire clearance.
I have 27x12x12 589s on my current 2002 Foreman. When it is fully turned and the suspension is compressed hard there is a slight rub on the fronts but all it has amounted to is the paint slightly rubbed off the spring. The only reason they rub is the large ***** on the outer sides of the tire but not all tires have them. I do not have a lift kit on this one. My tires are mounted on stock (aluminum) Rubicon rims and they have the same offset as the Foreman rims.
My speedometer reads about 1-2 mph slower because of the larger tires (checked with GPS) and there is a minor power loss because of the final ratio change and the extra mass of the tires themselves. For the kind of riding I do it was worth the trade.

 

Thanks again to everyone ! One last question: Do the larger tires make the bike any longer (i.e. protrude out further than the front or rear racks)? Sounds like a crazy question, but my trailer is kinda tight already and I would hate to get my new tires on and not be able to transport to some prime riding areas . . . I took a look and I think even 27" tires would still stay within the overall stock length of the bike . . .

 

Hello,

We have a Honda 450ES and put Titan 589 M/Ts on it. 26 X 9 X 12 and 26 X 12 X 12. Yes it does make the bike longer. By about 2 inches. I know because he carries his ride in a short bed Ford truck. The tailgate wont close now but it did before he put the tires on.

Hope this helps.

Robin