Hello, I'm new to the board, but I've been riding for years. I've used the search feature, and found a wealth of info, but I didn't find exactly what I need to know. I've got a 99 Big Bear 350 4x4, I currently have Maxxis Sur Tracs on the back, 25x10x12. I am wanting to move them up to the front and get 26x12x12 Maxxis Sur Tracs on the back. I know with trucks that are 4x4's it isn't a good idea to use different size tires front and back. Is this the case with ATV's? And if this will work, has anyone done this? Does the benefits outweigh the negatives? I do a lot of trail riding in sand, dirt, mud, few rock crawls. Will the low end torque suffer that much? These tires are lighter than the Dunlop Stock tires, so that might not be the case. Sorry for so many questions, I'm just excited about getting new tires! Thanks, Chris

 

Welcome to the forum Chris.


Same as trucks, you have to keep the front and rear tires the same on a four wheel drive. Also, like truck tires, it is the ACTUAL circumfrence of the tire though rather than the ADVERTISED size.

Usually, with ATV tires, you can just add a few more pounds of air to get the same measurement on both the front and rear since ATV tires are much softer than a truck tire.

The 10" wide tires on the front will make your machine a bit harder to steer also and makes for a poor handling machine in the coeners, but depending on your riding type, this may not be a problem.

 

Not trying to say Knows Alot is incorrect but I have a friend with 600 Griz that has 25s on the front and 27s on the back. It has been this way for two years and has not caused any problems yet. This maybe because of the in and out of 4x4 on the Griz. In my opoion it is not a good idea, it just seems like it would hurt something. What actualy does it hurt being a limited grip front end?