Kyler,

Don't know if you noticed my Product Review of the Blackwater XT's but I agree that they're a good "all around" type tire. The increased ground clearance really pays off. Congrats on your bear.

 

Someone mentioned the Blackwaters were not very puncture resistant. I was considering replacing my stock tires with a set of Blackwaters but was hoping to gain some puncture resistance also. I want to stick with stock size or close to it.
Scott.

 

I seen a posting a few days back on tire combinations for sp500's so I thought I would throw in my 2 cents. I have a 99 sp500 that I installed 27 inch. blackwater XT's. To cut down on weight I installed them on douglas alluminum wheels. With this combo I only gained 1-2 lbs of added wheel weight per wheel. This increased my ground clearance by 1.5-2 inches. I have put 350 miles on my machine with this combination and am pleased.
I do run 7 lbs all the way around which I believe is more than what is recommended. These tires give me a little rougher ride but are excellent for getting through the woods in northern MN. Matter of fact I just got back from Orr, MN. where I shot a 250 lb black bear with my bow. Without my sp500 it would have been a tussle getting him out of the woods. I do think my next choice of tire will be the 27 inch magnum bi and tri claw, I really like the extra clearance these 27 inch tires give. HAPPY TRAILS>>---------->

 

Do the 27 inch tires fit on the SP500 without any mods? There seems to be enough room, any problems in that area?

 

I made no modification to my sp500 with the 27 inc XT's ocassionaly the fronts do hit the fender but its very seldom.

 

Kyler, Congrats on your bear kill.

The ground clearance numbers you state confuse me. Is this actual measured increased clearance or just assumed? To gain 1.5-2” in clearance your new tire/wheel setup would have to be twice that (i.e., 3”-4” taller than the stock setup). Hard to believe going from 25” stock tires to 27” XTs would give you a 3-4” taller tire.

On the puncture resistant question, the 27” Blackwater XTs are 6 ply tires. Not only are they extremely puncture resistant but they’re so stiff it wouldn’t surprise me if you could run them without air in a pinch.

26” Mud Runners are getting very good reviews elsewhere on the forum.

------------------
FloodRunner, on the Wisconsin River

 

The Xplorer 500 used in the Blackwater XT review now has a front lift from High Lifter. Now we can ride as aggressive as we want and the tires don't hit the front fenders at all.

Been riding them for over a year and have had no punctures.

Adding to floodrunners comments: We did run them flat in the review.

[This message has been edited by Dave Iskierka (edited 09-09-1999).]

 

depending on how much air I run I gained 1.5+ inches of ground clearance measureing from the hitch. As far as the puncture resistance I have a slow leak in one back tire. I was told that it is probably from the bead not sealing.

 

Kyler,
Have the tire shop rotate your tire on the wheel or something. They shouldn't leak! That type of leak is easily fixable.

 

The Blackwaters do work in the mud very well. I had always heard they were so-so for thick sticky mud, but saw them in action first hand recently and was impressed with their performance.

P.S. Watch for the new Goodyears, they are awsome! TF