im going to be buying a new set of tires very soon and i want a set that are 25 inches tall, my friend has a set of itp mudlites and gbc gators, both of which state 25" on the sidewall, but when we measured them they are only 23" tall, (aired up and alot of tread) where as my 23" maxxis tires are acutally 23" tall, im going to be ordering tires so should i get a set of 27" itp tires and assume they will be 25"?? id like to hear what yall have for actual vs stated tire size, thanks!

 

OD can be greatly different if the tires are not on the right sized rim (width).

If you buy a tire rated narrower than the actual rim, you will get a different "actual" OD, or height. Don't put a tire made for a 8 inch wide rim, on a 10 inch wide rim and you shouldn't have that discrepancy,.... unless that's the desired outcome.

 

I find some tire manufacturers state the size from the top of the lug and others from the bottom of the lug. I like them measured from the bottom, that means even if the 25" tire is bald and wore out its still a 25" tire.
The other way around is, If you by a aggressive 25" mud tire with a tall 1.5" lug the tire is a 23.5" once worn out.

 

One thing I have noticed is that ITP seems to alway run a little smaller. The Interco a little larger and the maxxis just about on. You would think they would standardize the size. I understand the rim equation too though. I was so angry after running ITP Mudlites for a year and getting stuck in mudholes my friends were making it through and finding out my 25" were 23 1/2". Not happy. Last time I bought tires I looked through alot of ATV forums to find out what people thought of different tires. That's your best bet. That being said I have never heard anything bad about Maxxis Mudbugs though I have never owned them.