I have a 2000 Big Bear 400 4x4. It has the stock tires on it now, front 25x8-12, rear 25x10-12. I'm going to be replacing them soon. My four wheeler has a ton of low end power and is geared very low too. 1st gear is super low. I can take off in 2nd gear most of the time, even in mud, snow and on hills. My top end speed is limited by my engine revving to high so I have to let off the gas to keep from over revving it. Once I get into 5th gear (top gear) when we ride on dirt, gravel and seasonal roads I usually don't have to down shift very much. If we slow down quite a bit and are going up a hill I'll have to down shift, but mostly it has the power to pull away in 5th gear and keep on going.

I don't think I'll notice much of a difference either way going with 26" tires. I'm thinking of going with 27" tires. I'd like to go with front 27x9-12, rear 27x11x12 (or 27x12-12). Would they fit on my four wheeler? Will they rub at all? Would they be to big and make me lose to much power/performance? I know I'll lose some low end power because of the taller tires. Will I gain any top end speed with 27" tires and still be able to creep through the woods in 1st gear breaking new trails? I think with the low end power and low gearing that my four wheeler has, it might work well with 27" tires. What do you guys think?

Thanks, NYH1.

 

Are you going after a cool look or is it for more traction? I had a Big bear and it ran just as you stated, low geared and screams in top gear but only did 40 or 45 mph.

I think 27" on a 400 may be a bit much, My friend put 26" on his 420 Honda Rancher he lost top end but it behaves well on the trails and that ATV is not geared as low as a Big Bear.

Another option is stick with 25" tires but get aggressive tires with tall large lugs like Mudlites XL or XXL if more traction is all your after.
Thats what I did , much more traction but no low or top end performance lose.

 

I think I'm going to get 26" tires.

Thanks, NYH1.

 

Hey, I have a '98 Yamaha Big Bear 350 4x2 and was pondering up sizing my tires as well by height and width. I am currently running dunlops 25x8-12 front and 25x10-12 rear, but I was pondering changing the rears to 26x12-12 ITP Mudlites or 25x12-12 Kenda Bearclaws. My first gear is low as hell and this quad has great low end power. I need better traction in the mud since my dunlops are more for general dirt trail use and every time we come upon a mudhole I'm usually getting stuck. The Dunlop tread just loads up and rr tire spins. I know mud tires r a bit heavier, but I think it's worth the extra traction and they clear mud better on tire. My son's Polaris Trail Boss 250 has 25x13-10 Vampires on rear and they chew thru mud great, but r super heavy. Approx 30 LB tires. It kills the off the line acceleration on his quad but his is only a 250, 2 stroke. I don't think the Big Bear will have much trouble turning heavier tires. I don't think i wanna go 27", but 26" I would think should work. I'm pondering between a 26" trail/mud lite tire or 25" deep lug Mud tire. My son's vampires tear up my yard really bad when I drive it out to load on trailer tho. Where we ride the trails get flooded during rain season and I was hoping to gain some ride height. I am in process of installing a 2" lift kit and I was hoping to gain another 1/2" with 26" tall tires. The lift kit should help with space required to accommodate the bigger tires and I'm installing a snorkel kit too just to be safe for the unexpected deep holes when crossing a watery trail.
Let me know which tires u decide on and how they perform.
Thanx

 

mine is a 2003 big bear and it's got Gator 26x10-12 in front and 26x12-12 in rear .i have plenty of traction and power in the low gears but don't know for sure how fast it will go in 5th.i'm still working to make it run right and i don't have the room on my property to see how fast she will go.the tires don't rub either .

 

OK, I found some old ITP SPider Trac 25x12-12 tires I put on the rear. These are only temporary, but omg do they perform way better than my stock crappy Dunlops. They are half worn and still go thru mud. I still get stuck in the super thick nasty mud. I'm pondering buying some 26x12-12 Gators or Kenda Executioners 26x12-12. My buddy has 400 BB 4x2 on gators and he rarely gets stuck. His top speed is around 47mph. I think for a 350 or 400 the 26" tall tire is probably max size to stick with without sacrificing performance. If I go too tall the quad will bog down and run weak. i get high centered a lot on my big bear from following deep mud tracks on trails made by TALL tire quads. I'm thinking a slightly taller tire and meatier lug will help.

 

Look at all of the tires that interest you and then try and find out what they all weigh. A good aggressive tire that you like and the lightest weight you can find that still suits you tastes will go a long way towards saving your power loss. Larger diameter will sacrifice it, but so will unsprung weight. You also want to make sure they clear the fenders ok as well.

 

I just put on 26x9 fronts and 26x12 rear with tall 1.18" lugs maxxis Zillas on my 350 4x4 and noticed no power or top end speed loss but their the lightest 6ply tires made.http://www.mud-throwers.com/inc/sdetail/6590/12045

Here is a good site with all the tire weigh and lug height specs for comparison.http://www.mud-throwers.com/atv_mud_tires