I am totally stumped on which tires to get to upgrade my '07 Kodiak 450. I do the occasional swamp/deep mud thing, otherwise I'm on rocky or sandy trails. I'm considering a set of ITP MudLite tires but not sure if I should get the XL w/ 1-1/8" lug or the AT w/ 3/4" lug. Maybe I should be looking at the Terracross R/T.

With any of the above choices I would like to mount them to a set of ITP SS106 alloy rims.
These are available in 12x7, 14x6 and 14x8. Do I stick with a 12" rim or do I go with a 14" rim? Do I go with a 26", 27" or 28" tire? I want to keep the front tires within a reasonable witdth to manage steering force on hard surfaces, and I don't want to lose to much torque by increasing the diameter of the tires too much.

Too many choices and not enough knowledge. What a deadly combination!

 

You will get 9 million and two hundred thousand opinions...

I am 200lb rider and I have a 07 Grizzly 450, same as your Kodiak 450 as I gather you are in Cananda...

Personally I am going with a 25" tire on stock rims. I plan on getting either the 25" Maxxis Bighorns or the 25" ITP Mudlite XL's or even the XTR's. I still may goto a 26" tire.. but probably not...

The rims you are wanting to get will make the overall width of your Kodiak 4-6 inches wider! just keep that in mind, that is the reason I am staying with stock rims. I wouldn't go any bigger than 26" tires on that machine unless you plan on modifiying the exhaust/clutch etc..

 

You will get 9 million and two hundred thousand opinions...

I am 200lb rider and I have a 07 Grizzly 450, same as your Kodiak 450 as I gather you are in Cananda...

Personally I am going with a 25" tire on stock rims. I plan on getting either the 25" Maxxis Bighorns or the 25" ITP Mudlite XL's or even the XTR's. I still may goto a 26" tire.. but probably not...

The rims you are wanting to get will make the overall width of your Kodiak 4-6 inches wider! just keep that in mind, that is the reason I am staying with stock rims. I wouldn't go any bigger than 26" tires on that machine unless you plan on modifiying the exhaust/clutch etc..

 

With the 05 Kodiak I had I went with 26" Swamplites and had no visible power loss and gained about 1 1/4" clearance over stock. I did however have a clutch kit installed BEFORE the Swamplites.
Hope this helps.
Buck

 

I have Vision 161 wheels with Mud lite tires in the stock 25" size on my 2003 Kodiak 450. All of the after market rims that I have seen have a larger offset making the machines wheel base 3" wider. The only negative result I have found is increased bump steer. When you hit a rut or a rock on just one front tire it will pull the steering in that direction. I also did notice an increase in turning radius.

 

Mostly trails with occasional mud, the Terracross should do well. The XTRs are an awesome tire if you hit a little more mud. It's a toss-up between the 12" and 14" rims for rocky terrain. 12" gives you a little more sidewall and rim protection, but won't handle as crisp. 14" rims give you more bling and a little more clearance between the rim and brake rotor. I wouldn't bother with anything over 26" without a clutch kit or the need for more ride height in the mud.
Stand by for remaining 9 million, 197 thousand opinions...

 

I have the ITP Terracross R/t tires on mine and love them. I ride the dunes and trails and they work great for both. I had a set of mud lites and they worked good in the mud but were no good in the sand. the Terracross R/T's ride great and seem to be wearing good after 500 miles. I stayed with the stock size and put them on ITP c series wheels. With that said I just oreded a set of ITP SS 106 wheels because the C series have to much offset for the Kodiak and even with the fender extension it throws mud all over me. The new SS 106 are made for the Kodiak's with IRS so it should not get me so muddy. There are lot's of good tires and none of them are the best at everything, Good luck!