I have a 2005 Sportsman 700 with stock tires. While riding through the blizzard we just got hit with, I realized that my stock tires have to go. I high-center my quad everywhere. It's demoralizing to watch my buddy clime a mountain with his Brute Force w/ Bear Claws while I am stuck halfway up, busting my *** trying to get the tires to stick to something...anything.

I have spent countless hours the last 2 days looking through posts on here about tires and reviewing specs online. I have it narrowed down to the Maxxis Zillas, which are my best option at 27x11x12/rear and 27x9x12/front. I am also looking into the Kenda Executioner, but they are a 27x10x12 front. What has to be done to clear a 27x10x12 front tire on my machine. I am not against flipping the tie rod, but I really want reliability out of these tires. I am also prepared for my turning radius to increase with a bigger tire up front and am comfortable in that respect. Lets face it, this machine is not nimble, even with 8" tires.

Another one of my primary goals is to avoid getting too heavy of a tire and end up killing some of the performance. It has a Moose clutch kit in it, but it's not what I would call a great clutch setup.

Anyone have 27x10x12 tires on their machine? Any issues I should be aware of? I was planning on a 1.5"-2" lift at some point as well, but not until Spring time. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

I just replaced my stockers with Maxxis Zillas. I went back with the 25's, but I ordered new 12" ITP Delta (black) rims too. The rims have less backspacing, so the tires stick out farther. From what I can tell, I should be able to with atleast a 12" wide tire in the rear, and 9" or 10" in the front if I ever wanted too. I did find out that the lugs on the zillas are shorter with the 25" tires. For some reason these tire manufactureres dont start the big lugs until 26" tires. It's been reallly muddy around the ranch lately, and the bigger lugs would have been nice.

One thing I like about the Zillas is they are smooth riding on all surfaces. My unlce has Mudbugs, and you can feel every lug touch the ground as you are driving. I dont like that myself. The Executioners are the same way. My BIL had some, and they rode rougher than the Mudbugs.

My suggestion would be to find someplace online that has free shipping, and get the tires & rims. Also, get a wider tire in the rear. The 10" wide tire is too narrow IMO.

 

I certainly agree with you on the rear tire size. Unfortunately, I really like what I am hearing about the Zillas, but they do not make a 27x12x12. There's no doubt in my mind that with a taller tire all the way around and the 9" wide tread up front, I'll gain a substantial amount of traction over crappy stockers. I have an uncontrollable fascination with trying to get my quad stuck in mud whenever possible, so the 12" would definitely be a better choice, though.

The fact that I could not go where I wanted in snow put me over the edge. It's time for action. I have spent the better part of my day shopping online for wheel/tire combos. Hope the boss isn't watching

 

i havent had my zillas out in anything but the snow yet. but im highly impressed with them so far.

here is a link to where i got mine
ATV Parts ATV Tires ATV Wheels ATV Accessories: Maxxis Zilla Tire 27 Kit - 12 inch Wheels

 

I would go with Zilla's they are very light, also as for size, you could go with 27's or 28's, which ever you prefer. As for the width on the front, 9's will be close, but should still fit, 10's will require deep offset rims which will push your tires out and throw mud on you, or you could flip the Tie-Rod ends. Also search around, the pricing on Zilla's varies greatly.

 

Thanks to 05twin700 for the weblink. I searched the far-reaches of the world wide web and found that there is a tremendous difference in price. I ended up going with ATV outfitters because they were the only ones that I found that had steel wheels as a combo option. I am a huge fan of aluminum wheels on vehicles, just not on anything that I drive through mud. I really didn't want to pay an extra $100+ for something I didn't need or would constantly worry about. I could care less if I bend a steel wheel. Plus I can keep my stock tires on the stock wheels and use them for the ultra rare occasions when we ride on hard pack trails.

Thanks to 700 sportsman also for the info on 28" tire clearance. I was really hung up on getting 27's, but for only a couple more dollars, I decide the 28's would fit my riding style better. I really like riding in mud.

Can anyone that has 28" tires on 12" wheels comment on the handling and stability on trail riding? Should I expect a noticeable difference from the stock tire size?

 

hey did you check out the swamp lites if you google mud-throws they have a poll on there and they claim the swamp lites have been the best rated tire the last 3 years by consumers just a little fyi.

 

You will love the zillas. I used them plowing a few times when I had the tracks off and they did great. If you need clearance up front the highlifter wheel spacers are a great product and handle well on the trails.

 

I have 28x12 rear and 28x10 front Zillas and love them. Zillas are great in the snow. You wont be dissapointed...

 

Switz, thanks for the heads-up on the Highlifter pieces. Did you definitely need them for getting the tires to clear?

Helmethair, did you have to do anything creative to clear the 10" fronts?