My buddy has a 2000 Sportsman 500 and he just put taller and wider tires on it. He loves it and can go through some serious mud holes and it doesn't look as though he has lost any power. My question is, how can he do this and everybody tells me I can't? I have a 1999 Scrambler 500 4x4 with stock size tires but I still get high centered. I need some taller tires! Can I do this without losing alot of power? I'm not after speed just want to run trails and mud. What would be the maximum size I can go with? Can I help power loss with a clutch kit or any other mods?

Thanks
Scott [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

I've had friends who put 25" tires on their 400 Scramblers and rode double(450lbs or better). It slowed his acceleration down a little put he could still smoke my then stock 300 Xpress. He did gain a little more speed.

I don't see why you couldn't go with over sized tires. Just make sure you increase the tires in the same ratios. If you add two inches to the front then add two inches to the back. I say this because I think the stock sizes are 23" fronts and 22" backs. If this is the case then you would want 25" fronts and 24" backs. I must also add that you will being turning a "sport" machine into a mostly utility machine. You will lose some performance but I don't think you will mind because it isn't a whole lot. Besides, yes, you could buy a clutch kit that would probably get you back any perfomance that you lost and maybe even a little more. Remember though, the taller you are, the harder you fall( or in this case the easier you tip over, this won't be that noticable either).

 

500SCR
There are 3 problems with putting larger tires on a Scram. Which all of can be overcome with some research and money. 1) Finding mud tires to maintain the same front to rear ratio. 2) Lack of low range causing belt slippage. 3) Clearance between the floorboard and rear tires.

Possible remedies for the problems.
1) If you cant find the correct tires go with the same size front and rear but you will need to change the gearing on the chain & sprockets in the rear.
2) You could get a clutch kit that will engage a lot lower rpm to save on belt slippage or put in a dual range tranny from a Sportsman.
3) You will need to modify the floorboard for even 25" tires I think.

I`ve been away from the forums for about 6 months now but I remember a couple of people doing these mods. One guy even had 28" Outlaws on his Scram.

Hope I didn`t deter you too much. Good Luck !!!

 

Thanks for the info guys. I would love to do a different tranny with low range but they are all shaft driven at the rear. How would I make this work? Sounds like more trouble than it is worth. The floor boards wouldn't be a problem nor would the clutch kit. I would like to go up about 2 sizes to get 25 on the front and 24 in the rear. If I did 25 all the way around how would I calculate the teeth count for the sprockets? Thanks for the help!!

Scott