Whats the biggest tire size that you can put on a Sportsmen 700 im looking at getting some new tires i dont like the bad lands. looking at the Goodyear Mudrunner. your input will really help me. Im also looking at wheels to.

 

My guy at the dealer said that it could handle 26" with no problems and little loss of power. He also said 27" would not hurt, but the weight and power loss would be a significant trade off for the performance. I don't know what kind of riding you do, but I know ATV TELEVISION just rated the Badlands 2004 best trail tire. I like them on my 700, but then again I am not going in to rack deep muck.

 

depends....if you are talking 2004 models, then you have to pay attention to the width of the tires.....as they don't always fit and you will need wheel spacers...on the 2005, you can run up to 28" tires without spacers....depending again on the width....I'm running 27x9-12 in the front on my 2005 700 EFI...no spacers needed...but you will most likely need spacers on a 2004.5....

 

I have 27's on my 03 700 they rub only when I hit a large hump. As far as preformance you will lose some get up and go. I just ordered some 26" Mudlites to get some of my power back to me the bigger tires are not really an advantage I don't do alot of mudding so I don't need the ground clearance. I would have ordered the 25" mudlites but the tread depth is not as deep as the 26's. The bigger tires will put more stress on things Vs. stock tires mine is alot harder to steer with the 27's. Just remember you will have to sacrifice one to get the other.

 

I agree, I'm running 27" tires, the stock Carlisle on the 2005 machines are 26"....I would recommend to anyone that they stick with the 26" unless the do alot of slower riding and mudding.....The stock Carlisle PXT's are nice tires....the wider front on the ITP Mudlites and 589s are better for all-around mudding and snow riding....but how much do we all do that....

I'm in a mode of not knowing what i want to put on next....right now I'm riding with the 27" Mud Lites...the 27" 589s are in the garage as well as the stock tires....not sure what I want to go with next...you can definitely tell a power/speed difference even going up one inch....

 

elkbow, do the mudlites pull as well as the 589s in the mud and sand. Ive owned the 589s and loved how they pulled but their some heavy tires. Ive seen your pictures of both. whats the differance in the thread depth.