I just got a set of 22" Realtor's as mud/sand/snow rear tires for my 2000 400ex. I put 'em on and dropped a tooth on the front sprocket. I went out twice this past week in the snow and though I'd share my experiences. First, I've read that Realtor's are just about the best snow tires you can get and I agree but they have limitations. Sunday, went to Jersey, mostly mixed packed and loose snow, around 5 inches loose. The Realtors did quite well, I was pulling wheelies in the snow while my bud with Holeshots couldn't get his front tires off the ground. However, I did get stuck in a 18 inch snow drift with a crusty top to it. The lack of reverse really kills any possible rocking. A friend with a Wolverine and Bearclaws navigated the same stuff much better, I guess there isn't any real replacement for weight, clearance, and four wheel drive. Then I tried to out last night in about 14 inches, I didn't get far, it was just too deep, the Realtors tend to scoop and dig in, which is good most of the time, but in deep snow they just end up sinking themselves deeper in the snow. So, next time there is more than 8 inches of snow, the 400ex will stay in the garage. The Realtors are a great tire, but don't expect them to make you magically float over 18 inches of snow. Just my experience, anyone else have some snow tails?

 

I don't have a 400EX but I do have a 300EX. I have Holeshot XCT's on the back. It did pretty good in the trails two weeks ago when there wasn't ice covering the ground. But when I went riding this weekend the ground was solid ice covered by snow. It didn't go very good. My friend with a 2000 Blaster went better than me. I didn't like this and decided to leave the 300EX in the garage till spring.

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Y2K300EX

2000 Honda 300EX

1988 Quadsport 230

 

ZJ, are you running them mounted backwards? If not, swap rims and give it another shot and let us know the difference...should be pretty noticeable. I had the ex out in 5 inches and the stockers did pretty well compared to razr's and holeshots, etc. Wish I had a pair of realtors!

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Steve Small, '00 400ex
'00 Trail Boss for the wife.
Impuls90 for the boys.
<a href="mailto:extreme400ex@home.com">EXtreme E-mail</a>

 

I have the Bear Claws on my 400 and they work great in the snow, even the deep stuff. Now we don't have ice on top of the snow but I tried burying it in some drifts that were as high as the seat and had no problems powering out of them. I have full skid plates on mine also so I don't know if maybe that helps keep it on top of the snow a little. I don't know how much good it did me in the deep drifts though, when I started from a dead stop.

 

i don't have a 4ooex but i do have a sport quad. I put chains on mine and they make a really big difference. the chains can go through about any thing. I went thought about 18 inces of snow. it took a couple seconds but i powered it way through, but they really kill the grass.

 

I have a set of Realtors with -1 tooth front sprocket and a K&N jet kit I went all over in the snow and only got stuck after going into a 2 1/2 foot snow drift, I also noticed a big improvement going up the big hills with the mods.

 

We got our first snow today. about 9 inches deep. My recon is great in snow. It takes a while to get up to speed though, but once your up about 4th gear wide open you can just turn the bars to the right quickly and pull a 360 spin and keep going. And when you want you can do a 180 and lean back and do an awesome wheelie.too bad I ran outta gas about 30 minutes after I started riding. I'm gonna go riding again after my dad brings some gas home, should be wild at night!

 

I am surprised at how much my 400EX can get through being stock. I use 2nd gear and keep my weight back, I got through some big snow banks. Some times I wheelie before the bank and as the quad comes down a little extra forward momentum is added. I don't like hitting banks real fast, some times you go over, and some times you don't and some times you get tossed over the bars! You also have to watch out when it drifts, you can get a bank in one night, and when you try to go where you did yesterday you get stuck, or if you are going real fast you go for a ride! I can get through 12" if I have tracks to follow, and I can get through 12" banks If I have enough room to hit it in second.