I know the differance between the two ....But my Question is:

Have you riders that made the change over to Radial tires after your stock bias wore out(or change from new), have any regrets?

Will you ever go back to a bias tire?

Do you miss that "ROLL" type feeling out on the trails?

Do they wear any better?

.....Thanks........Caper................

 

Caper, I have bias mudlite xl's. Buddy has mudlite xtr's 14". They ride better than the 12's, have been bulletproof and handle way better, when I can swing it I will be switching over to radial's. See Ya

 

radial tires do ride better because of the construction but are a softer tire to roll over things better, but i think because of the radial design they ar more prone to getting holes or cuts. i still like the radial tires ride over bias.

 

I thought the bias is a softer tire to roll over things?
....Caper...

 

I just changed the stock 25'' 489's on my 450 over to 25'' Carlisle Badlands XTR radials.They ride better straight line over bumps but roll over alot more in the corners.The stock rear tires were about 3 lbs. lighter also.

 

The Radials are definitely softer in the sidewall (More Roll side to side), have less rolling resistance and offer a smoother ride than a Bias Ply tire. That may attribute to more punctures, but it could also attribute to fewer given exact same conditions like tire pressure, Quad weight and rider weight.

An Observation. I got to play around on the new Sportsman 850XP this week. Sweet. I had to ask about the tires on the machine immediately on mounting up. It felt much stiffer and less flex than my Sportsman 800 with PXT radials. The difference the 14" wheel and a shorter sidewall on the 850XP. Made the sidewall standup a lot better and the machine felt stiffer. I purposely rock my weight from side to side sitting still just to the point that the suspension started to move. Did this on both my 800 and the 850. My 800 is significantly softer and rolled over significantly more on the 12" rims then the 850XP on the 14" rims yet the smooth Radial Ride was still there.

So I guess if you want a little stiffer sidewall for the same general Tire circumference, then a move to 14" Rims would be in order and you could still have the Radial ride.

to each their own but your mileage may vary.