I'm looking for some help in my decision on what tires to put on my Rubicon. I don't want to lift it or put new wheels on it or modify it in anyway way in order to put tires on it. So, how tall/wide can I go without modifications? Without adversely affecting the handling characteristics? Without causing parts to break or where out - bushings/steering/bearings etc.. And finally, what tire is the best? I'm not a big time mud hound. I use my atv for hunting mostly. There's the occasional 'mud ride'. I duck hunt, so there's the ride across rice/bean fields. I also pull plows on the deer lease.

The 'Outlaw' by Highlifter looks pretty awesome to me, but I figure the ride must suffer with that tire. Ride quality is something that I would like to maintain.

Thanks for your opinions!

 

If you dont ride 95% mud dont get the outlaws. Nothing out performs them in the mud and that is what they are made for. They are rough from 0-10 MPH and uncontrollable at above 30 MPH.

With stock wheels you can run just about any tire setup. The only problem you will run into is the small fender support by the front tires. Bigger tires will rub this when the tire is turned all the way. High Lifter makes a fender kit that fixes that. It is only $99.00. You will not need a lift to fit ANY tires on there. I run 28 inch outlaws with no lift.

From looking at the type of riding you do tires like the Titan 589, Maxxis Mudbugs, or Goodyear MudRunners would be best for you. I would not go above a 26 inch tire for the type of riding you do.

 

Thanks Texmudder! So anything over 25's and I have to get the fender kit thing from Highlifter? Also, I forgot to ask about tire width, what's the scoop here? Same front and rear? I don't care anything about something that sticks out past the fenders - gets me and my gun muddy!

FYI, I just read an article on mud tires, and the all around winner for mudding and trail riding was the Titan 589. It does sound like a good choice for me.



Thanks again!

 

hey, im lookin too.. im a hunter that likes to stay dry and clean just as RubysRRed does and I also use my rubie for ult uses such as pulling plows, traillers and also sport rides with my buds with 400EX's.. but I ride 30% pavement at 50MPH, 30% serious dessart with rocks and sharp plants and such, 30% slippery wet clay with tree crossings that include broken branches that are knife sharp and 10% mud/snow when I ride with my slead buds

 

I am pretty sure that 26s should fit up front without the fender kit. Maybe someone who has them will chime in.

For all out mudding if you have the power I say run wide tires front and back. For better handling run skinnier tires up front. I am not a fan of skinny tires all the way around. For your case I would suggest a 12 inch wide tire in rear and the matching skinny tire up front (usually a 9 or 10).

 

I run 27 inch titan589 AT's on my machine with no fender mods or lifts. They fit right on the stock rims. My tires do not rub. Titan also makes a 589 MT that is 6 ply and lighter then the 589 AT. But if you are running pavment 30% of the time you are going to chew up any tire fairly quickly. They arnt made for pavement and will wear much quicker. Just FYI

 

Like Boots, I also am running the Titan 589 (mine are the M/T) in the 27x9x12 in the front and 27x11x12 in the rear on stock rims. If you run the wide size on the front you will need different wheels and/or spacers. I do not have a lift kit ot the fender kit and I have no rubbing. I may get the fender kit, but the reason for that would be for support on the floorboards (we jump our utility quads like it is a 400ex),not really for any clearance problem.

 

So it sounds like you only need the fender kit if you go to 28 inch tires right? Sounds like what I need are 9's on the front and 12's on the back. Do the 12's on the back get you muddy or do the rear fender flares keep you protected. Also, how did the 27's change the ease of steering and handling. Someone earlier said I should stay with the 26's. Even though I don't mud that much, might as well get as tall as I can without making the thing a bear to control! From the small amount of research I've done, it looks like rockymountainatv has the best prices, the 26's were around $65 and the 27's were around $85, anyone know of a better place to get them?

 

You will not get that wet with 27's. Honda makes great fenders. I rode a friends sp500 and got more wet in 15 min than i did from all day of riding my honda. As far as handling I can still go 45 mph no problem with my machine. If you are doing 30% pavement riding be aware that you are going to chew up your tires quicker then average. The rubber is really soft.

 

Some 27s will rub. It will depend on the size of them. My 27x10 mud bugs rubbed up front. As far as getting wet, if you use the factory wheels you will stay dry as a bone but if you use aftermarket wheels with more offest plan on getting dirty.