<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: DCT

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: 700 sportsman



I have the Polaris Bruiser aluminum rims and I think they're pretty nice</end quote></div>



Thanks 700 sportsman. Do you think the Bruisers are lighter than the stock steel rims?</end quote></div>

Any alloy rims made have to be lighter than steel rims,thats the whole point of them,once you do that then you shop for Mudlights or swamp lite tires to loose even more weight.

Easier on the CV,ball joints ,steering effort,axles....you name it.

 

Check out this post which has pics of different tire/wheel combos.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: *5 J's*

Check out this post which has pics of different tire/wheel combos.</end quote></div>

Yep, there are plenty of sweet looking setups out there. For my riding, I need a good tire on hard pack, lots of rocks and a few water holes, with great traction in the snow for plowing. The stock 489's are OK, but I've managed to get thorn holes in two of them already. Therefore, if I go to a 6 ply radial, I should be getting a tire that is more puncture resistant. If the radial improves the ride and handling a bit more... so much the better.

By stepping up one size, I should also get a little extra ground clearance. If I find some wheel that help offset the extra weight of the bigger/better tires, then I'm assured of not losing any power.

 

DCT

FYI, I clutched both of my sportsmans. My 700 x2 with 27's showed amazing difference, very happy with that decision. The 800 with 26's, however, made very little noticeable difference. So, I wouldn't bother clutching it with the setup you are talking about. Not sure if you were thinking about it, but thought I'd save you a couple hundred $!

 

If you're getting a lot of punctures maybe you should get 8-ply tires. GBC makes a few for mud and at least one all-terrain. http://www.gbcmotorsports.com/...ts/dirt_commander.aspx
ITP's new TerraCross R/T XD might work for you too.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: firehog

DCT



FYI, I clutched both of my sportsmans. My 700 x2 with 27's showed amazing difference, very happy with that decision. The 800 with 26's, however, made very little noticeable difference. So, I wouldn't bother clutching it with the setup you are talking about. Not sure if you were thinking about it, but thought I'd save you a couple hundred $!</end quote></div>

Thanks firehog,

I had no plans on clutching it. That's why I wanted to go with the setup I mentioned. I might put the next step up in springs on the primary (think it's the green spring), but that's about it.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: jumbofrank

If you're getting a lot of punctures maybe you should get 8-ply tires. GBC makes a few for mud and at least one all-terrain. http://www.gbcmotorsports.com/...ts/dirt_commander.aspx

ITP's new TerraCross R/T XD might work for you too.</end quote></div>

jumbofrank,

Yea, I don't need them quite that tough. I still don't want to give up the ride characteristics of the Sportsman. I've heard that the radials (even 6 ply) ride as well as, if not better than the stockers.

I just need a tire that is a little more "thorn proof". However, those are nice looking treads at GBC.

 

just rememebr if your trying to save weight on the rims being lighter the tires you get will be heavier then the stockers and kinda of set the lighter rims.

 

Thanks stendori,

Yep, that's why I'm going to the lighter rims, to help offset the weight of the new tires. I found that the new Mud Bug 6 ply Radials in 26" are only about 5 lbs. heavier than my stockers. If I get good light rims, there won't be much of a difference from stock, but I'll have a little more ground clearance and all the other attributes that should come with a 6 ply radial.