I finally get to go buy some new tires, now what kind? I like the way the vamps go thru the mud but they might be to rough on the trails. What do you think.
Sparke 1998 SP500

 

I tested the Vamps on sand hills and hard pack (asphalt), on the hard pack my back teeth rattled. Worked well in the sand. If I were in the market for new tires my choice would be Mud Runners 26" X 9" front and 26" X 12" rear.
Just my thoughts.

 

Yep get the mudrunners much better alaround tire

 

Hey, Check out Maxxis Mud Bugs, I've heard that they are really a good tire. Later

 

I have Vampires, Outlaws and Titan 589s. I really like the hardpack ride of the Tians. In the last mud tire shootout, they were not very far behind the Vampire in the mud, but they ride better on the hard ground. I have not ridden on the Mudrunner or Mudbug, but the owners seem to really like them.

 

I have the Super Swamper Vampires and the Mudrunners.Both tires are equal in the worst mud/snowy conditions you'll find.Some will tell you the Vamps ride harder on hard pack,however,I see very little differance in the ride between either tire on hardpack.Either tire is a great choice.I opted for the Mudrunners on my 00 Xplorer because a set of them were about 60 dollars cheaper than the Vamps.Best of luck on your choice,===Bill

 

TxDoc2:

From an SC ER doc..........I have seen some great things about the 589's. I have an SP500. Down here there are a lot of folks that run Vamps........too radical for me. I would like to find out how you picked them. Have you ever used any slime?

Thanks Hugh

 

I do use slime in all my ATV tires, lawn tractors. etc. You can buy it at Lowe's, Tractor Supply, Wal-Mart, and from Highlifter (theirs is supposed to stop a 1/2" hole, whereas the others claim to plug a 1/4" hole). I think it is a great product.
Like Bill just said, the Vamps get somewhat of a bad rap concerning harsh ride. While they do ride a little stiffer, many who own them are putting much more air in them than is recommended to gain additional tire height and thus ground clearance. The Vamps are a heavier tire and the addtional unsprung weight contributes to the ride being a little stiffer. If you ride on them a while, it is like going from a 1/2-ton truck to a 3/4-ton. You get used to it and don't notice it so much.
I was impressed with the mud performance of the 589 and the comments of those who had 489s come as stock tires on their ATVs. Those folks who replaced their 489s with 589s told me how well they really did in the mud (like DirtWheels said) and how well they did on hardground. The lugs are wide apart and don't ball up with mud, but the tread runs into the center for a good hard ground ride. I am very pleased with them and would buy them again. If I was going to buy one tire and not have more than one set, I would take this one.
Like I said before, those with Mudrunners and Mudbugs have great comments, also. You really cannot go wrong with any of them.

 

Though I dont have any experience with any other tires, based on what other forum members told me when I was in the market, I decided on the 26"Mudrunners and I really like them. They do well in the mud, hard gravel roads, and sand. They may be a little rougher ride than stock Dunlops but not much. The only time I notice is in the rocks, which is rough anyway!

 

I am also going to buy some good mud tires. I will probably get the 26x12 Vamps. They seem to be the best in the mud and I do not care about the ride. I am off roading not taking a joy ride in a Caddy. How much did you guys pay for the 26" Vamps and what rims did you get for them? How much are the rims?