A few weeks ago I replaced my factory stock rims and tires on my 2WD Rancher 420 with a set of 25" ITP TerraCross R/T radial tires mounted on ITP 12" Delta steel wheels.

I can't emphasize enough what a drastic difference these tires make on hard trail riding. The corner and handling ability is significantly improved as is rider confidence. Operating over hard terrain is extremely stable and smooth. I found that after a long day's ride to be far less sore then I was riding on my stock rims and tires. In my opinion, radial tires are the only way to go especially when you're an old fart like me!

 

sac700-The radial casing used in the TerraCross is the same as my ATR's (just different tread pattern), and I agree that ITP has a very nice handling tire there!

How do you feel about the weight of the steel Delta wheels? I am in the market for another wheel set, and I am wondering whether to go Delta or Type 4 C Series alloy. The price difference is only $100, but more important is that a steel rim will bend (and can be banged back out) where an alloy one is more likely just to end up with a chunk out of it.

 

The total weight of all four 25" tires and wheels is around 150lbs, a very noticeable weight difference from the stock Honda rims and tires. I had considered going alloy but after seeing what the local rock infested trails did to quads with alloys I decided to go steel. It's volcano country up here in Northern California and where there isn't rocks the trails are conglomerate lava.

Still with the heavier tires and rims and the fact I'm a hefty 280lbs there is no noticeable loss of power, just a greatly improved ride and handling.

This is a sample of some of the area we ride in, millions of rocks of all sizes, the result of a Volcano that exploded and threw rocks some the size of cars for hundreds of miles.

 

Here's my yellow beauty!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Rancher 420TE 4x2 with ITP C-Series Type 7 Wheels and 25" Maxxis Bighorns....

[img]C:\Documents and Settings\Rob\My Documents\My Pictures\Rancher.jpg[/img]

 

No shortage of rocky volcanic suff down south either! We ride the utes almost exclusively in the Eastern Sierra, Inyo's, and White Mountains.....

I can ride for years without ever dinging a rim because I am careful to read the trail....but hand the quad to one of the kids or one of our guests, and it will come back with a dinged rim every time!

 

Not to change the subject or get off on a tangent but If the US Forest Service has their way with the new route re designation BS there won't be any rocky country for us to ride on period.