Hey, I have an 01 Honda Rubicon and need to replace the rear tires, I need to replace all four but due to my budget I have to replace two at a time, what tires do you recommend for trail riding, I ride in the mountains of eastern Ky where the terrain is really hard, alot of mud, swampland, marsh, very steep hills and grass, I plan to purchase two rears first, and then two matching fronts, what size do you recommend that will fit my stock wheels, I am looking at a "lift kit" on High Lifters website that I plan to install along with new tires, also where is the cheapest place to buy? any info would be great.
Thank you

 

Moble Man,
Would you prefer to have large mud tires of more an all terain tire and what size. I had 25" 589 MS on my bike for the first 2,500 miles and now I have 27" Tri and Bi Claws on it now and it is a better hill climber than it did with the 589's and also muds better. I would not suggest a lift, but only because I have heard of people twisting CV joints in half but I do not have one on my Rubicon so someone who has put a lot of miles on a lifted Ruby and used it heavily in the mud should answer that.

 

I personally would not go with a lift kit as it might make your rig a little top heavy but probably a bear claw 26x12x12 on the rear would make you happy without lifting it. Excellent for hill climbing and a very tough tire.

 

Only changing 2 tires at a time, you can't go to a bigger diameter tire. I guess you could if you had an "unlocker", and left it in 2WD. If you planned on just staying with the stock size, I would recommend that you look at the ITP Blackwater, Titan 589, or the Goodyear Mudrunner. You can get all of those in a size very close to stock, and can even go up to a 12" width in the rear. All will easily fit your stock rims.

 

I have heard good things about the ITP Holeshot ATR. These are radial tires and are made for sport riding. They are lighter than your stock tires so you will gain HP, Always a good thing.

Also you may want to look at the tires that come stock on the Rincone also a light weight radial tire made for trail and sport riding.
Unless you ride a bunch of mud stay away from heavy mud tires your steering will get harder the ride sucks and they are heavy and will rob power. Also try to keep stock height you entire quad was designed around them so don't mess up your power and gearing for no reason.

 

I'm looking at 26" or 27" Bearclaws too although a friend of mine is trying to talk me into a set of Mudbugs. He luvs them.

 

I see you are a fellow Alberta rider BillP. Where abouts in AB do you ride?

 

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful input, I decided to go with the Bearclaws, I orderd them on Monday from a local Stealership, I went with 26-12-12 on rear and 26-9-12 on front, they should be here tommorrow, my only problem is the Stealer wants $16.00 a tire to mount them, is there anyplace else I should try, I live in the Largest city in this shithole state so maybe there are cheaper places?
MM

 

Check around with local tire shops. Some may not be equpped to deal with ATV tires, but some of them might. Gas stations that sell and service tires are another option. Last but not least, check with any motorcycle repair shops.

 

Swamp,

I mostly ride on a farm in the Wetaskiwin area but I have been to redwater and the Vega area. I have some friends who head out to Brazeau regularly. I'll probably catch up with them next spring.

Where do you ride?