I finally broke in my 650 and was riding it at full speed today. This thing is a rocket. The problem I had was with the rims. I ride rocky trails and go very fast, I found out today the my rims cannot handle this. I dented the front right bad enough to blow out my tire. I noticed that the left side is also dented. The stock tires suck (as if nobody knows this) so I'm buying bearclaws. Should I just replace the stock rims or get aftermarket ones? I don't want a shiny rim because I'll be using it for hunting also. Any ideas? Stock or aftermarket? DO the stockers bend back?

 

Thumpin...if you have the loot, get the douglas .190 rims with the tires, I don't think shiny rims would effect your hunting routine...unless you hunt while sitting on the atv which is a different story. My tires are dented pretty badly too from technical trail riding. The stockers bend back, so I'd say if you don't have the money or don't want to spend it, get the stockers straightened out and put on the bearclaws. Otherwise get the .190 aluminum rims but don't replace the stock rims with stock replacements, waste of money and the aftermarket aluminum .190 are a much, much better rim (lighter and stronger).

 

Thumpin650, I'm with you man. I've dented my rims too and am gonna put on 26 inch Bearclaws as soon as I can afford it. You can straighten out your own rims pretty easy with a 2x4. Get one about 3 feet long and start whackin!! It takes a while but eventually, you will get the dent out, without beating the finish on your rim to death. Aftermarket rims would be great, but they cost a lot. If you got the money, do it. I'm stickin with my stock rims for now.