Last week I posted a question about the wisdom of tire slime. People said to use it, but I would be best to replace my Dunflops before I go hunting in October. I was out this weekend, and WOW, I cut a sidewall on a front Dunlop on some rocks, 100 miles on them and now a flat.

So, I'm looking for new tires and I have read all the posts on this topic but I'm even more confused. First, my riding is out west hunting, and in Iowa and Minnesota, hard pack trails with rocks, woods and fields, some water and mud where we can find them (got stuck this weekend in Bloody Run Creek) and will be in snow this winter.

I am pretty happy with my stock 650 power, I don't race, but like to play and like power. How much power will heavier tires sap? Taller tires?

I want something tougher than the stock Dunlops, I am kind of leaning toward the Surtrax/Spidertrax combo, but I am wondering if they are tough enough. I am also wondering about all Spidertrax and wondering about going with a wider combo, as I think the stock tires are really narrow. Another wider combo is either the Bear Claws or 589's. Is it true that the typical 26" tires (as I have mentioned above) are about the same height as the stock 25" Dunlops? Should I stay away from 25" replacement tires unless I want them to be shorter than the Dunlops?

Finally, I am also looking at the 26" Radial Outlaws. Does anyone know if they are available now? I am leaving in 4 weeks or so for my hunting trip.

As I said, I know this has been hashed out before, but I am really up in the air about what to buy. Thanks for your input.

Todd

I run the run flats by goodyear... the 25" is not a problem for me because I always run the high section. I don't like the runflats in the deep snow. These tires handle good for me on the smooth trails. I'm looking at 589 combo for winter or the snow conversion kit. I think the P650 can turn any tire out there with out much effort... that effort will be more on you... the more aggressive the tire the harder it is to handle on good trails. Taller is nicer but taller comes with some downsides. The clearence is a bit better, the center of gravity is moved higher and they also tends to pick the deepest ruts. Wider tires in the back will help in snow, I personally don't like wider in the front but some people like it. I also find wider tires rougher. The height of the dunlops also will be different with the PSI in the tires. Looking at the outlaws? I think that these are only good in the rough mud and will tear all bikes to shreads, except for the 650 witch of course will only go to peices.... something has to give I like the idea of the tires giving first... Personal prefence because I want mine to last a little longer.

whatever tire you go with ,make it a 6-ply. i had numerous flats on the dunflops. and i ride in all sorts of stuff. no problems with the ITP 589`s so far. 26/9/12 fronts. 26/12/12 rears. they actually ride fairly smooth on hardpack, and are great in the mud. i have a rear end shot in my profile of them. and the are 6-ply.

hope this helps. wayde

chieftam--- If you are riding the hardpack and rocks, I WOULD NOT recommend the spider/sur trax combo.(I run these) I would use something 4ply, or better. The Titan 489 XT's are available at Walmart. Maybe the Titan 589 M/T's would suit you. The 589's are heavy, though. Look at Rocky Mtn. ATV catalogue, and or www.4atvtires.com .

Cheiftam, one of the biggest reasons TRX450 and I chose the combos we have is because they are light. If you need extra protection, you will feel the weight a little bit. The 26" surtraks and mudrunners I have are about 25.75" diameter. Stock tires are about 24.3" diameter.

Mudrunners do not bite harpack very well (and rocks, wet rocks, roots, wet roots). I have em, my friend has em on all 4, he spins a whole lot more than I do. When we get to mud, his mudrunners make my sur traks look silly. Mudrunners are tough enough, and according to some recent reviews by forum members, they are a little better in the mud than 589s. They will suck power in the bigger sizes.

589's are tough, and bite hardpack a little better than mudrunners. I think they are an all around fav because of their ability to tackle mud, but not do too bad on the hardpack. They suck power a bit more, especially in bigger sizes. A friend with a rubicon used these once but took them off due to lack of power to roll them (this is why honda owners buy our stock dunlops, they can't turn much else).

From what people say, Bearclaws are not nearly as heavy as the tire websites say they are (lighter than 589s). They bite hardpack, rocks, wet rocks, roots, and snow a lot better than 589s and mudrunners. They are not very good in the mud.

Every thing you get will be a lot better than the stockers. Even the surtraks are tougher than the dunflops (but not as tough as others).

I almost never see a tire prob. Whenever I go to the big dice run, I take my mudzillas. They aren't run flat, but they are really extra hard to pop. I had a bead leak, and one went flat, but it stayed up and was rideable.

I do the same type of riding as you in MN and ND. I got myself some 27" Gators and I love them. They ride well on hardpack and perform even better in mud. I feel that they do well on rocks but I have nothing to compare them to in that area. But I ride ND badlands with a lot of loose rock and I have no problems. The Gators are lighter weight, 6ply tire and do not take away much power from my 650. They tend to be squirrely at 50 mph and above but I may need to adjust my toe.

Click on the link below for pics of my 650 all geared up for the '03 hunting season.

Daryn

I personally would like to try the Radial outlaws..if they ride as smooth as they are supposed to..they are the one for me..the only thing i do not like about the 589s is that they are SUPER aggresive..they tear up ground like a tractor,I dont need anything that agressive cause i like to be able to spin the tires now and again.

Mudrunners are great for power sliding, since they don't grip dry stuff as well. They ride soft too.

My friend has them on his griz, and he can powerslide easier with them. He does spin more everywhere until he gets to mud, and they go really well in the mud. The are awesome in the snow too.

I would like to hear some people trying out the radial outlaw, if H.L. would start selling them.

I stand corrected, looks like they are for sale now, 26" and 27" sizes. Kinda pricey.

HL is now selling them on there website I think there are a bit more money than I'd like to spend but I think they would be worth it http://www.highlifter.com/store/high...ialoutlaw.html