I don’t have any experience with chains. I was thinking of getting a set to increase my capabilities in the snow. Do they help? What performance issues should I expect if I were to install them? I'm not going to push snow just ride.

It's getting cold around here!

Totun

 

I use chains on my 400. They help to a certain point. If the tires can reach the ground, the chains definetly help you a lot. But if you are high centered, the chains don't help much more than a big-lugged tire would.

They are very helpful when riding on ice, though. Only thing is if you are on glare ice with no snow on top, it gets hard to turn because the rear axle is locked, and with both rear tires having so much traction going straight ahead, it gets hard to steer. That's with just rear chains, I've never tried a set on the front. I don't want to overload my 400, plus I think clearance would be tight between the tires/chains and the struts.

Ty

 

I had "Z-bar" chains all the way around on my 700 (bought thel from Denis Kirk). It will scratch up concreate. You will need to run spacers up front to clear your struts. Yes it does make a difference, especialy on ice. When you put the chains on, let all the air out of your tires, get the chains as TIGHT as you can, then air up your tires again. I did that and there was NO chain flop at all. Sold the tires and the chains went with them.