My 800 has 26/8/12 in the front, and 26/10/12 in the back. I want to know if I can go with 26/9/12, and 26/11/12 without getting different rims?

I would also like to know what the biggest rim and tire I could go with, without having to put a lift on, or have any rubbing.

I would love to see some pics of all the 800's with aftermarket rims and tires!!

Thank's guys for all the help!!

 

Those tires are only 1 inch wider than stock...Has nothing to do with rim size...No problems there...I put 28"'s on my Thundercat (10" wide front and 12" wide on the back and there is no rubbing)...I would assume you wouldnt either as a lot of guys run 28"s and 30's on machines that size...I prefer 12" wheels to 14" as tires are more expensive and I just like the look of the smaller wheel

 

Tie rod clearance is the issue. Spacers or new rims are normally required to prevent the front from rubbing the tie rods.

I have seen a 800 with ITP XTRs and it does look quite nice. Remeber, the bigger the tire the bigger the weight and more wear on CV joints and bearings, brakes and other drive components.

I prefer the ITP tires and have found Rocky Mountain ATV to be reasonable. The Terracross are EXCELLENT tires.

 

The tires would probably fit on your wheels if that's what you're asking but from my experience you may have interference with the front ball joints with aftermarket tires 8 or 9 inches wide on stock wheels. The stock tires for my 800 are Carlisle 489s. The fronts say they're 25x8x12 but they really only measure 6.5" - 6.75" wide. The rears are 25X11x12 which matches the actual measurement. When I bought my bike the dealer had installed Mud Lites 26x8x12 front and 26x12x12 rear. These were mounted on ITP wheels with 1 inch wheel spacers. These tires actually measure 8 inches wide in front and 11 inches wide in rear. I took out the spacers because the handling wasn't that great and I was just too wide. Now even thought the wheels are offset I still have slightly less ball joint clearance than the stock setup, maybe about an inch. I don't think there's anything to worry about on the rear.

As far as max tire height I can't help you much. I know the 26's have plenty of room so I would think you could at least go to 28's.

 

why would you be comparing a sp 800 w/ another brand bike on tire size? engine size on these bikes has nothing to do w/ what size tires will fit. anyways, you can put up too 27" tires on the sportsman 800 as it comes stock w/ 26" tires. bigger tires will rub on the fenders. as mentioned above it's width of the front tire that makes a differnce being so close to the tie rod end. some have out on 9" wide tires w/ out putting after market rims such as i did for this very reason. others have found because it's so close that it will do damage to the rod and they have put spacers, or even a few washers behind the rims to give just a little more room. some have even put the tie rod upside down to make them not rub. hopefully this helps.

 

Totally agree with Stendori. I have 08 800 Sportsman with 27" XTR's and ITP SS Rims and have no poblems.

 

Funny you should mention this. I'm going through this very situation with my Sportsman X2. I put the ITP XTRs on the front and they rubbed the tie rod ends. I ended up ripping one of the dust covers off. I put washers on to space it out but that left very little thread even with new thinner washers and nuts. I just had a pair of 1/2" spacers made up and got 3/8" longer wheel studs that I'm going to have installed in the next couple of days. Hopefully this will solve the rubbing problem without making the quad too wide. I'll have pics and opinion when I get it finished.