I would like to replace the stock size dunflops with either Sur Traks, Bear Claws, or Dirt Devils for better handling mainly.

It seems that many other tires may say the same size, but I have heard of people of loosing ground clearance.

I really don't want to raise the center of gravity.

Any suggestions please?

 

The 650 is stable, and has a low center of g anyway. I love my 26" tires. They don't eat noticeable power at this dia. I need all the GC I can get sometimes, that's why I was concerned about dia.

almost all 25" tires are short. Many other sizes are short too. That's another reason I got the 26" ones.

Devils are great handling tires but they are short.

Sur traks are light and have exceptional hard pack traction and handling. Reall good for having fun. But the 25" ones are short. They are only 2 ply, easier to pop.

Bear claws are really heavy. Excellent dry traction. Best in snow.

I know I told you already about my tires, but I love my tire combo so much I just wanted to mention it again. Check out this picture of my mudrunner/sur trak combo climbing rocks in PA.

I just don't know what would have happened if I had my mudzilla's on when I rolled my 650 last week. Maybe I would have been more tired by the heavier tires and harsher ride and would not have powerslid on that on corner. I gotta stop thinkin about that and drive safer next time.

 

Thanks again, Nyroc
I am thinking of taking my 25 inch Dirt Devils off an putting them on my dads Kodiak. (It has the same exact stock dunflops as the prairie did).

I love the tires, just a little dissapointed in the ground clearance I lost. Also, the Kodiak could use a little more stability because it is a bit top heavy.

Now, 2 q's for ya.
1. Are the 12 inch tires easier to change than 9 inch ones? I bent and ruined one of those cheap Harbor Freight mini tire changers on a pair of 9 inch tires. Then I could not press the new tires on and had to go to the dealer any way.

2. Why did you not put the 26 inch Sur Traks all around? (or do they make them for the front?)

Thanks

 

Yeah, maxxis only makes one size of 26" sur trak , or I would have gotten all four (maybe not I like the mudrunners up front).

I believe the 12" tires are easier, but I have never done 9" ones.
It is really hard to break the beads on the dunlops. All other tires seem to be easier.
I know other people who had those cheap tire changers and bent them. I made mine, but I bent it. Here is a pic. I have since made it again using thicker steel.

The tire spoons I got from the dealer are awesome. they make mounting tires extremely easy. UPS dropped off my tires while I was on the phone, and I mounted all four tires in ten minutes (not including pumping them up) while still on the phone (my ear was sore afterwards). Always start the rim into the tire with the narrowest part of the rim first (you don't have to fight the bead very much this way).

 

Hey Roc. why not runner all round just got mine on. did slow bike dowm a tad on inclines but seems to bite good on hard pack.might last a little longer on the back i hope

 

1, 26x12-12 Surtraks are 11 lbs per tire lighter than the 26x12x12 mudrunner. Sur tracs bite much better on hardpack than mudrunners. Not as good in mud as mudrunners (but I also have a set of mudzillas for the mud).

Since I use this set as my dry trail tire set, the weight, hardpack traction, and ride are the most important considerations and the combo I have is probably the best setup (for these considerations) you can have in a 26" size.

Mudrunners are excellent tires, I just feel that my combo makes for better all around riding, with a bit less emphasis on mud. I am glad to have the mudrunner on the front when I get to the mud pit. Mudrunners handle, steer and ride excellent. Perfect front tire for me.

 

nyroc and I run the same tire on the rear. I run ITP Spiders on the frt. 12X9.5X26. These tires are about the same outside diameter as the stock 25", go figure. I am well satisfied with the combo, and will buy it again. The Maxxis-Sur Trax are a soft compound, and wear rapidly, but I'll accept that, as they do a great job in my most ridden terrain. That being-- hard pack, clay mud, and greasey off camber trails in the foothills of the Appalachian Mtns. in S.E. Ohio.

 

Thanks for the good input.
I think that the weight of the Dirt Devils would not be good on the Kodiak. It would be a PIA to take them off the Prairie and mount them on the Kodiak, then put new on the prairie.


I am really leaning toward 25 inch Sur Traks for the Kodiak. Does anyone know if they are the same circumference as the Dumflops? It seems to need help handling more than ground clearance for our type of riding.

I know that this should probably be on the Yamaha board, but conversation over there seems to revolve around banshee's and Raptors. Not a lot of Ute discussion.

Thanks again!

 

25" sur traks are listed as 24.3", which is just as short as dunflops. You will be plenty happy with sur traks. They are great.

Hey, .8 inches more clearance can't be a bad thing. My 26" sur traks measure 25.9 and my 26" mudrunners are 25.9 also. I know I said before that these are the lightest 26" tires you can get. Handling and traction are awesome. Also, because they are diameter matched, you won't drag at all if that kodiak is full time 4x4.

My 650 has never handled better. I am 100% satisfied. Much, much better than the stock dunflops.

 

Nyroc,
Thanks for the help yet again. I will likely go with 25 in sur traks. I put them on my wife's former Recon and they really are impressive.

I will finish out the summer on the 25 in devils and maybe go to your type of setup this fall on my 650.

Funny you should mention the 4wd of the Kodiak, it is "on command" and so far (knock on wood) it goes in and out sooo much better than my 650.

Now for wheels. I am just thinking about having the Sur Traks mounted on some steel wheels and not have to deal with the changing.

I don't want to spend a lot of money on extra fancy wheels, because I get to buy everything in 2's !!

Do you know where I can get the best deal? Rockymountain seems reasonable, but I paid more for her Sur Traks at TreadDepot.

Thanks yet again!