The grizzly is runnin strong, impressing me every day and pulling wheelies like I would never have imagined. Only problem is those damn dunlops!

I like the new ITP SS 108's (12x8) but haven't decided what tires to put on them. The 589's look mean as ever, but the ride quality on hardpack doesn't sound too appealing. I'm kind of torn between the Mud Lite XL's and the XTR's.

For the most part my riding is on dry dirt, some loose dirt/clay and some high speed gravel roads, with a bit of mud thrown in on occasion, but the mud isn't my main concern. What's gonna ride smooth and predictable on gravel and dirt but still pull me out of the muck?

 

Unless you do most of your riding in heavy mud, I would suggest the ITP Terracross. I ride alot of the same terrian you described. And the radial design is smooth and precise when turning.I have no problems with this tire. The only time i've gotten suck is if I bottom out. Just my two cents.. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Well I'm not a "mudder" so unless it's necessary to get from point A to B, I avoid the really nasty stuff. I had thought about the terra's but thought they would get clogged up really quick in the mud. If they're still a halfway decent tire in the mud though, I think I'd like them a lot. The tread pattern looks like it would be really effective on hardpack and even rockcrawling. Also, what's changed about the handling characteristics when using a radial tire? I kind of like the bias-ply because it's really easy to two wheel. That's not usually a selling point for most people but I do bicycles all day long on my griz. The radial would be nice though as I think it would probably have better grip at higher speeds on fire roads and such.

 

Personally I like the Kenda Bearclaws for an all purpose tire.
They are not the best at anything, but do every terrain well.
6 ply tough and wear like iron.

 

I do same type of riding as you and I have ordered 25 inch Bighorns to go on stock wheels. These tires have a proven track record of smooth riding, tough construction, and long lasting. The Terracross looks OK but it is just too new for me to risk.

 

Johnny, I just put on tires this weekend on my 700 grizzly. I went with ITP type 7 black 14" wheel and 27" XTR's. One thing for sure, If looks could kill this set up surely would! With the power steering size is not an issuie as far as effort is concerned. I only got about 10 miles on them but they seem like a great all around tire. I'll be given it the real test this weekend. I'll post a picture of them right away. How are you liking your griz?

 

I've run the ITP Holeshot Radials, they rode great but had leak problems. They make them light to allow you to spin them up quickly. On mine it hurt the reliability. I bought a set of the Maxxis Bighorn Radial a couple of months ago and wish I would have bought them first. We ran 160 mile through the Hatfield McCoy trails this spring and I am very impressed. I wish I would have bought them first. It would have saved me about $400.00.
They are heavier but hook up so good I get a faster start off the line. I didn't lose any speed on the top end. So they have the best of all worlds for me.

Smooth ride, great hookup and durability.

RAS

 

I agree with OhHell the Bearclaws are awsome tires for jut about anything and have a nice smoth ride for a more agressive tire, snd they don't do half bad in the mud.

 

I have 27" Mudlite XTR's and they are great. I find myself going over, through, into etc. obstacles with ease and watch others struggle. Before I got the tires, the Grizz was very "tippy" and rolled very easy. Knock on wood, I have not rolled it since.. I would highly recommend these tires and rims....

 

I was just looking at that setup (xtr's on type 7's) last night, I agree it looks great, not as showy as some of the new polished rims, and those xtr's look a lot more mud capable than the terras or similar tires. I think I'll probably go with that, but maybe 26's on a 12" rim, not sure yet. I suppose I wouldnt be as worried about the ride quality of a more mud oriented tire on the griz being that it has super soft suspension and eps.

And CK, I'm lovin the griz. Stopped stalling out on me now, (about halfway into break-in) and I swear every time I ride it, theres more power. Wouldn't hurt it to be a little more surefooted, but I'm workin on that [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]