I would like to know what the guys who have Kodiaks like the best. I am in Ohio and ride in a wide range of conditions. Also, is it best to keep the stock tire size or go larger. Thanks

 

For a decent mud & trail tire, I'd go w/ the ITP 589s or the Mudlites. If you've got performance mods, you may be able to spin 26s, but if not, I'd say go for the stock size 25 (I think).

 

I was told that you can go to 26's without affecting any of the ratios. Personally, I will stick with 25's. I cant justify buying a taller size to do the same thing that my bearclaw 25's will do.

The manufacturers do a lot of testing to figure out the best all around tire size to put on their bikes when you get them. otherwise they would come with 27"s or 28"s, you know?

Mud lites are a big seller. bigger than 26's will affect your differential and drive train on any bike. Meaning that you will need more torque to spin the bigger rubber. You can always go and get a clutch kit to fix this problem, like on the bigger machines such as the grizzly 660. ( I'm not sure if they make clutch kits for kodiaks???)

bigger rubber may rub in places that you dont want it to. like when you turn and such.

Im sure more people will reply back saying they put big tires on their machine, but at what cost? Replacing bearings, tie rod ends, axles, a few years down the road????

Its totally up to you and the choice is yours. Hope I gave you another thing to consider.

 

The best thing I like about them is the availability of after market parts for the kodiaks. The switchable 4x4 to 2wd is really nice too. The belt drive system and clutch braking is the best system on the market in my opinion.

 

kodiakowner, how do you like the claws? I just put the 25s on my Vinson but haven't had them out yet? How is the tread life on those?

 

Tread Life. Heres the story.


Im 22. My father bought his 99 or 98 kodiak 400 used (manual shift before they made the automatics) in 2001. It came with the bearclaws when we got it. The person he bought the quad from had placed the same exact tires on his big bear (1997 b.b. S.E.) then put them onto the kodiak 400. we bought it from him with the tires. Now I have a kodiak 450 and have put the original bearclaws onto my 450. Thats the third quad these bearclaws have been on.
I had a plug put into my right front tire yesterday. Not too bad eh?


Keep in mind that we hardly ever use them on roads, gravel or paved. we ride bush trails, mud, etc but I dont do much rock crawling, unless they are in my way and theres no other away around them. That just goes to show you something can last if its not abused. Take care of them and they will take care of you.

 

I have no performance mods and mine spins 27'' fine. Sure, it takes a LITTLE power away, but it still pulls fine in the thick mud. But get whatever size fits you.

 

I forgot to mention i have Mudbugs. With the outlaws or zillas, 26'' may be the way to go.

 

dirt devils

 

I have 26 inch 589's on my 450 Kodiak and in the deep mud in reverse is the only time I feel a power loss thats a lot of tire and the kodiak uses high gear in reverse ( why, I will never know.......). I did a few power mods to make up as much power as I could. With the big tire on it will do about 53 mph and with the stock tires and wheels it will do 58 mph. this is proven by my GPS.