To preface, I have a 2011 Sportsman 500 HO. I ride mostly trails with some mud and hard pack. I use my ATV for farm type chores also and ride on hard roads from time to time.

So I've read boards for weeks. I've watched videos on many different tire options. The stock Carlisle 489's actually aren't the worst tire in the world but they aren't great either. Their advantage is that they are light. I don't want new wheels. I don't want to drop huge amounts of money on tires either. I just want a decent tire with additional traction that won't kill me in the weight. I've read original bighorns are great but they add at least 7-8 pounds per tire on the stock rims.

I know that the additional weight can cause issues with performance. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Again, I'm just going to stick with the ugly stock rims.

 

Go to this site and click on "ATV MUD TIRES" it has all tire specs http://www.mud-throwers.com/atv_mud_tires] check out the weight of the Maxxis Zillas vs all the rest .Its not even close.

They are 6ply with aggressive tall 1.19" lugs. I put 26" Zillas on my 350 and did not notice any performance loss. I would put them on my 500 but I have the odd ball 10" rear rims.

 

I just put kenda bear claws on my 2004 sportsman 400.Cant beat the price around $280 to the door.Traction and ride is great.I honestly think they out perform the stock tires.At least they did on mine which were about 40% worn but dry rotted.For your use i would think they would be great http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ront-rear-tire

Note sportsman tire packages are cheapest on ebay

I can also say they are light tires if anything lighter than the original tires

 

I appreciate the responses. I did notice the the bear claw HST's come highly rated along with the originals. If your 400 didn't see a major difference in performance then mine shouldn't either. I've never mounted my own tires. I might see my local shop about putting them on. Thanks.

 

I had Goodyear Mud Runners on my '01 Sportsman 500. I couldn't tell you how much they weighed but they had big lugs that tore everything up. They were the only mud tires I had on a 500 and I didn't notice any difference in performance. The closest tire to it I found was a Titan 589 but I heard those were heavy enough to affect performance. Kenda Executioners look like they would perform just as well but they're heavier than Zillas. BTW 25" Zillas have 3/4" lugs and many other mud tires have 1" or taller lugs.

 

If anything i would say it has more low end with the bear claws.They are a light tire.
It would be best left to a tire shop that has a machine that will go down to a small rim size.You also can inflate them to a max of 36 psi to seat the beads.Than down to 5 or 7 psi.They also have nice yellow lettering that say bear claw.I couldn't be happier with them.They certainly have unbelieve able traction.

 

we put swamp lites on the wife's 400 and there wasn't much difference if any and we even went up a size. nice all round tire too.

 

True up to 25" tires but after (26" and up) Zillas have a tall 1.19" lug.

 

i would say these would be similar to a 4 wheel drive truck.Put huge tires on it and loose power.actually the bear claw tire package has a smaller rear tire than the stock tire.Thats why i have more low end i would say