I am puting mudlites on my 2004 kodiak 450 what size should I go with. I like the 26 and want to put the 10-12 on the front and the 12-12 on the rear but will they fit my factory rims and will it clear the body of the atv or should I go 9-12 on the front and 10-12 on the rear

Thanks

 

The wider the better. Wider gives you a bigger foot print. As long as you get tires to fit your 12 inch rims yer fine. Main thing is makin sure the tires dont hit your exhaust and frame. I'd measure to see if the rear tires will hit your exhaust or the foot rails in front of the rear tires first. I had to do that when i put on my 25 inch mudders on my atv. They hit only when i have no air in them and i ramp it, hahah
Good luck

 

I just installed the mudlite's and I'm extremly happy with them. I was in the same boat as you just a few weeks ago. I would highly recomend going with 27" tires. I would not run 12" in the front. Believe me they will be much wider that the stock maxcrap tires that are on there now. Also consider on getting aluminum wheels even if you get used or older model like ITP type 4's. If wheels just are not possible for you you can always get them later.

I have a smaller power plant than you and my bigbear turns them just fine if you are worried about the 27's. Even in the thick stuff. I installed some floorboards on my bear this weekend and my buddy wanted to see what it could do. Since he lives in a subdivision and and bayou close by and since I was at his house doing the install I showed him. I took the incline down to the bayou. Entered the bayou and proceeded down the middle while water and mud/water was up to the bottom of the seat. My bigbear is a tank now. My 2nd gear bogged slightly but once high rpm took over just fine. If you want 12" in the front consider wheel spacers from highlifter. Take a look at my page to see before and after of mudlite tires.

I bought the lift and wheel spacers before I got tires and wheels.

 

I think running 12" all the way around is an old trend and if you want to run stock wheels you will need to keep same size but go taller. Think about keeping as much weight off those CV axles. I heard that repair is not fun. I dont agree wider is always better going into wooded areas gets tricky. However going taller means getting tippy so your new tires will indeed be taller and a little wider. If you are still tippy check out the wheel spacers.

Good luck man... You are going to love those mudlites!

 

so would you go with 9-12 on the front or 10-12 and on the rear you would go 10-12 or 12-12. someone told me today at my atv shop that it would be harder to turn with the 10-12 on the front

 

The kodiak came with 25 8-12 on the front and 25 10-12 on the rear I just want to know to will the 26 12-12 on the rear hit the body or frame

 

I put 10x12 on front and 12x12 on back

 

You can run a 26-10-12 on the front and a 26-12-12 on the back with no lift and you shouldnt have to worry about anything. To go to a 12 in wide tire on the front you will have to change your wheels. I would recommend the 27's over the 26's and get a lift kit though. If you have a winch you might need spacers but other than that i think that you will be ok.

 

I think I mentioned this in another thread somewhere. But at the largest Yamaha dealer here in Houston they have Grizzlies, Kodiaks and Bruins with 27" ITP 589's without lift or wheel spacers on therre floor. I had to get spacers and lift due to the fact i have a big bear and has different body, frame etc. Plus i wanted to taller. I got the spacers to correct the tippieness. I still had to cut my flaps even with the lift and spacers.

 

Coacho,

IMO I would go with the 26" Mud Lites instead of the 27"s. You will see a huge increase in traction without the loss of the power you would with the 27s. I'm sure you'll be happy with this setup. IMO you lose to much power with the 27s. If you had a monster 700cc+ machine I would say get the 27s or even the 28s. I'm sure the 27s will be fine too but you'll lose some of the other capabilities you may like that you can only get with smaller tires. And like someone else said you don't want to put the extra stress on your axles.

The one thing I don't like about my Mud Lites is that it's a lot harder to slide the back end around due to so much grip.

Good luck I'm sure you'll be very happy with whatever you decide.