Anyone have 26x10x12 Mud Lites on stock Sportsman (12x6) front rims? I trying to decide between the stock tire size or moving up a size. How wide do the 26's actually measure? I'd like the extra tire height and lug depth of the 26" but am concerned about the steering/handling with the bigger rubber. I'm not a mud freak, but just want a little more tire performance. Any opinions? Thanks

 

I tried to find that out too but never got any answers. But I talked to ITP and they said was a possibility of rubbing (width). But I ordered anyway with C-series aluminum rims. Try first before I order spacers. There is not much room between tie rod and tire now stock maybe .5 to .75 inch stock. and with another 1" width think gonna have problems. 9" should work fine though but that not mudlites. Will post when I get mine mounted. About all I can tell you at this point.

 

There is no way your going to put 10 inch wide fronts on a sportsman 500
without spacers.. 9 inch is ok with some makes of tires and rubs with others.

You asked about the steering/handling with the bigger rubber.. the wider you
go , the harder it will steer on a 500 h.o.

I have titan 589's on (26-9-12) in front and it takes popeye forearms
to turn the things.

I contacted johnny and Bert Works to find out the scoop on the mudlites vs
the titans.

He tells me the mudlites will steer and ride smoother than the titans because
they have a more rounded carcass like an oem tire , not like the titan which
has a squared carcass and is much harder to turn...
The mudlites are also the lightest mud tire you can buy which will help
with handling/steering.

He also says the mudlites are great on hardpack as well as mud.. the best
tire you can get for all around performance and ease of steering.

Another brand that's easy to steer with are the Kenda Bear Claws but they
are only 4 ply vs the mudlite 6 ply.. they aren't quite as good in mud either.

I hope this helps.

 

Just put a set of Mudlites on my 500 HO Sized 25x10x12 on the back and 25x8x12 on the front, it steers way easier than with the stock goodyear trackers it came with. No worries of tire rubbing and I don't think I'll lose out in the mud, very good tread design, I think they'll be a good all around tire. Width isn't always important especially in mud.

 

agreed, wish now in hindsight I had gone with stock size
25-8-12 in front instead of 26-9-12....plus when I hit some really
rough stuff, I bottom out in front on the tire, not bad, just enough to
be a little annoying..

Also, I just checked with another fellow on a different forum, he has
successfully put 27-10-12's in front on a sp 500 h.o. without spacers...
I don't know how he did it... he used the c series itp wheels which has
the 4+3 offset rims... I've got the itp delta 4+3 offset rims and I can't
do it... must be a combination of the tire/rims he's using... you shouldn't
have a problem in front width up to a 9" wide tire.. wider than that,
no guarantees... just depends on the tire/rim combination.. most require
spacers...

 

Just put 27x10x12 mudlites on with C-series. The tire was right tight against the tie rod. Went got a HL spacer kit took care of the tie rod clearance but now any kind of bump or abobe 5 mph turn causes the tires to rub on the fenders. Back is just fine by the way.

 

Anywheretom,
Thanks for the advice, fellow Albertan. Can I ask where you got your Mudlites and what you paid?

 

I have 28-10-12 Mud Lites in front on the stock 700 rims. I had to go with the HL spacers, was about a quarter inch off the tierod without them. And I hit the back of the fender when I hit a bump too fast. I find that they steer very easy. I was actually surprised it didn't require more effort. So far my only complaint is that they are so directionallly oriented that they don't back up well in snow or mud. Makes me wish I had gone for the 589s. But, I like the light weight and the better price. Now if I can only get my front axles to last a whole day.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

 

I put 28x9-12 ITP 589s on the front of my 700 on the stock rims, but they rubbed the tie rod ends. I put on 1 inch highlifter spacers to solve the problem. I have about 1 inch of lift and moved the floorboards back about 3/4 inch and they still rub a little sometimes. I think I lost some of my turning radius with spacers.

Actual tire size varies a lot between the different tire brands and types.

 

Got them form this website www.atvtires.com/homepageATC.htm, hthey were 94.00/ea for the back and 83.00/ea for the front. plus free shipping any where in canada.