I want to mount 27 inch mud tires on my (03) Praire using my stock rims,will there be any clearance issues? The atv is mostly stock,will it bog down the engine trying to push bigger tires?
any info anybody can provide will help me in my decision on what size tire I will mount, I have 25 inch Maxxis Bighorns on it now but those tires aren't the best in mud and snow.

thanks,
Cleve

 

When you install larger overall OD tires, you are basically changing the final gear ratio of the transmission - engine running at lower rpm at the same given ground speed. It also means the engine/cvt now has to make more power/torque at lower speeds than when it had stock wheels. These are the "potential" negative things to happen:
1). Belt will wear out faster.
2). Sheaves will wear out faster.
3). CV joint will fail faster due to increased required torque.
4). CV joint boot will fail faster due to increased angle (raised portion will rub each other).
5). Lower acceleration.
6). Lower MPG.
7). Higher center of gravity/less cornering speeds/more tippy.
8). Heavier steering feel (due to larger and more aggresive treads)
Postive things are.
1). Awesome look.
2). Higher ground clearance.
3). Better braking/traction.
4). Better resistance against puncture (typically aftermarket tires have thicker walls and/or more plies).
You need to balance all negative/postive aspects and judge for yourself... I only use bigger tires on my quad in winter (2~3 months) for snow riding.

 

I hate the stock tires and rims. But I did want to stay with the same sized tire to prevent some of the negatives hyashi listed. I got 25" mud lites and ITP rims. Overall I'm very happy. In a pinch, I could also throw on one of the stock tires and rims with no big deal. Check my pic page. 25's really aren't that bad.

Larch

 

Just wondering how larger tires affects CV angles.