Hey guys, I'm looking for no nonsense straight up answers for my problem please. Got a 500HO/2004.5 with polaris brushguard and winch and I would like to improve the performance and appearance with some new rubber. Have any of you guys seen or used any of these tires on your sportsman's. I use my atv for hunting and trail riding in Canada. 50%trail 40%mus/sloughs 10%snow. I want to keep my stock rims for now and not have to do any mods such as lift or spacers must be able to fully crank right or left turns without rubbing will these tire combos work?
26x9-12fr
26x12-12back ITP 589m/s
26x10-12fr
26x12-12back mudlites
or mud bugs
Thanks guys!!!

 

seriosly look at the Bighorn Radials!!! I got a chance to ride a quad before and after an install of these and it was awsome!!! these will be my next tires for my Sportsman

Chris

 

Thanks Chris I'll check them out. Anyone else have any comments please

 

I love my 589's. You can see what they look like on a SP500 if you look at my pictures.

 

get the 589 m/s... i got a buddy w/ them on a grizzly and they are unstoppable at everything but reverse in the mud... they do not back out of mud very good. i just got a 04.5 in november and i hated the xtr's that came on my 700.. i rode them a little bit and then bought some used rawhides for 125 for a set of 4 and they work good for everything. but definitally get the 589's.. they are excelent tires...

 

TikkaMag,
In the rear almost any size will go, but the front is another story. Have a look at the clearance between your stock front tires and the tierod ends, it ain't much. The stock 25x8x12 front tires actually measure considerably less than 8" wide and anything much wider will rub the tierods unless you go to different rims or spacers.
I recently bought Mudlights in the stock size 25x8x12. On stock rims they measure almost 8" wide and stand about 1/2" taller than the stockers. Tierod clearance is about 1/8" but it doesn't seem to be a problem. The Mudlites are a big improvement over stock, I like them. If you want bigger rubber you will have to look at spacers or rims. Another consideration with bigger tires in front is tougher steering and always being covered in mud, maybe not a big deal to some.
I assume TikkaMag means you shoot a Tikka rifle, don't see many of those. I have a Tikka M65 Deluxe in 30.06 that I bought new 22 years ago. It has always shot better than me.

 

EVERY time i went one size larger with a mudtire vs stock, they would rub. they always required spacers. i did not use the stock rims.

i think Progressives HD shocks front shocks would keep it from rubbing. never tried it though. got sick and tired of the constant rubbing (on turns only), and sold the tires.

NascarFan- GREAT mud pic man! you must have 50lbs of MUD on that sucker!! LOL!! NICE!!

1Bullmoose- 1/8" tierod clearance doesn't seem like it's enough. with a little tire flex i think it would hit.

-MT[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

tires owned were:
Outlaws
Outlaw Radials
Bi/Tri Claws

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

My borther has 26/9-12 front and 26/12-12 rear goodyear mud runners on his '01 sp400 with after market
steel wheels and they work just fine-no spacers and they don't rub except on the front fendors when bottoming out hard. I had the exact same tires put on my '03 sp600 on the stock rims before I even brought it home
new from the dealer and I love them!!! Don't rub at all and work great for everything-awesome in the mud and
blow everything alse away in atv pulls on loose tracks!!!

 

I recently bought some Gators. 26-10-12 on the front of my Sportsman. Everyone told me 10" wide in the front would definately rub the tie rod ends. I went ahead and bought the Highlifter aluminum spacers before I even got the tires in anticipation of the rubbing problem. Got the tires, put them on without the spacers just to see, and they aren't any closer to the tie rod ends than the stockers. I've got at least a half an inch of clearance. They DO rub the hell out of the fenders though with just a little compression of the suspension.