Considering an 06 Rubicon. Rode one today and was surprised that the ride was not that bad for a SRA. But.....what tires (radials) would work best to improve the ride? I do not ride in heavy mud and would want a trail/dirt tire. Also, would going to 26 inch tires be worth the extra 1/2 inch of ground clearance?

Rode a 05 Rincon and was disapointed in the first gear not being low enough. Really thought the transmission on the Rubicon felt better (and it was a whole lot more fun). The Rincon IRS was smoother than the Rubicon (no surprise).

I have had a 98 Polaris since new, no problems other than replacing one belt and the IRS has been nice. Hoping some of you can suggest tire upgrades to improve the ride of the Rubicon a little.

Thanks,
P7rancher

 

For the type of riding you do, I think the Holeshot ATR tires would be just the ticket. They should really smooth out the ride. Let us know what you decide.

 

Thanks for the reply on the ATR tires. Read all about them and they look like a great choice.

A new question:
What is the "Canadian Trail Edition" in the Rubicon and how is it different than the 06 Rubicon? Comments are that it rides better. Different shocks? Tires?

Thanks for your help!
P7rancher

 

The CTE Rubicon has a different suspension. Mostly, I think it's just adjustable shocks. From all accounts, it really improves the ride and handling. However, it is not available in the US. Could you drive to Canada and buy one and trailer it home? I have no idea, but I would guess it would be a PITA.

Another tire you might want to consider it the Ducks Unlimited Wetlands. Propnut has them on his Rubi and seems to be very happy with the ride and performance. I have the MudLite XTRs and they are a great tire, but they are not nearly as smooth as the ATRs or the Ducks Unlimited.

 

yes, I am happy with the Wetlands radials, but they are no miracle cure for the ride of the 04. It's still rough compared to the Rincon. I had get off of the Rincon quickly or I would have been selling the Rubicon (we were pleasure riding, not working).

The tires are better than stock at everything. It makes everything easier, but I do face the fact that my Rubicon will never ride like an IRS.

From what I have read, the CTE had different geometry and adjustable shocks. I think the 05 US version carried over the geometry, but not the adjustable shocks. I have not ridden the 05/06 US version or the CTE, so I don't know how much the ride has improved.

If you want to spend the cash, aftermarket shocks and springs can be customized to your liking, it's just expensive.

I wonder what it would cost to buy the CTE shocks from a Canadian dealer?

 

I put a Perfex long travel kit on my Rancher. The ride is 100% better than stock. It also gave me around a one in. lift. We are putting one on my friends Rubicon here before long. I got it setting here in front of me. We just have to get some time to do it. I will try to get some pictures of the one I got on my Rancher up today.

 

I don't know what I was thinking when I thought a $90 perfex bracket kit was going to be a miracle cure for the Rubicon's ride. Just makes your shocks mushy. The change in ride wasn't worth it, it didn't stay on long.