I am wanting to replace my stock tires. The ones I like are the Maxxis Bighorn 6 ply radials. They claim that it improves the ride, is this true? How do they wear? The traction in snow with the stock tires is not very good, is the traction improved with the Bighorns?
Thanks

 

Pretty much all aftermarket tires will be an improvement from stock tires. If the tread is deeper than your stock tires they will be better in the snow. As for the wear, they are 6ply and i have 6ply tires and they dont wear hardly at all as long as you stay off the pavement [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] As for improving the ride just run low tire pressure and that helps alot.

 

Your stock tires will ride softer/smoother but going to the Bighorn tires will make the quad handle better in the turns. The tire will roll over less due to the stronger sidewall. Bighorns are a good tire but are relatively heavy for the type of tire they are. So it depends on where you ride though as to what would be best. If you have a lot of rocks and sticks in your riding area, Bighorns may be the way to go since they are pretty rugged and durable, very resistant to punctures. ATR's are also a very nice tire and 6 ply but the sidewalls are a little thinner but you gain by them being a lot lighter. So it is give and take. I prefer lighter so I have more power, but some value a more robust tire and sidewall. It just depends on your riding area and what kind of riding you want to be able to do.

The ply rating has nothing to do with your tire wear. You can have a 6 ply that is soft and wears out faster than a 2 ply that is hard.

Also, some 2 plys are stronger than a 6 ply. It all depends on the construction and material used. Maxxis All Traks are a good example. They are only 2 ply but are a stronger tire than a lot of 6 ply tires.

Another consideration is tire size. Taller and wider will add weight. Weight will slow you down. Some claim if you install a clutch kit you recover that lost power but just imagine if you install a kit and have the lighter tires. That is the direction I like to head instead of adding a lot of unneeded tire weight. 12" wide rears are overkill IMHO and add a lot of unnecessary weight. But again, it all depends on what your intentions are.

As for snow riding, it has been my experience that the X pattern tread designs do pretty good in the snow. ATR's have that type of pattern. Don't know how the Bighorns do.

 

Swamplites are an excellent snow tire, along with rough terrain, mud, and hardpack. #1 rated all terrain tire. Take a look at my pics to see them. They are a very tough 6ply tire.

 

I have a pair on my KQ and LOVE them!!!! I ride in the West with lots of rocks, hard pack, snow, sand and some mud. They perform in all of these types. They are heavier than stock. I can pull a wheelie with my wife's KQ with stock tires but can't quite do it with mine and the Bighorns. I had ATRs on my Vinson and hated them. They really sucked in the mud and I could not keep air in them, even with the green goop in them. I finally pulled them off and put Bighorns on the Vinsons as well.

 

I have my second set. They are heavy. But, hands down they are one of the best all around tires, if not the best. They go good. They are tough, and they last. HARD TO BEAT'EM.

 

This is a very helpful report. One more thing I would like to know is do they improve the ride? Maxxis claims that the Bighorn improves the ride and I would like to know if it is true or not.

 

They are very comfortable ride wise. I am not sure if they improve the ride but they sure do not make the ride worse, that is for sure. I am about to buy my wife's KQ a set as well. She would not stand anything that would take away from the comfort of the ride!