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Post by Charlie D on Sept 8, 2012 14:40:51 GMT -5
I think it is about time for a new set of tire and I though I would ask folk’s opinion on what tire to get. I ride a bone stock Polaris Sportsman 500. It still has the original Carlisle AT 489s that came with it, which are 3 ply. I think I have about 1100 miles on them and there is about a half inch of tread left. I recently moved from the west coast were the tires were great for the terrain there. My guess is that most of my riding for the next three or four years will be in WV. Never been there, but looking forward to it. So for you folks that are familiar with the area; will my current set of treads suffice, or do I need to upgrade a bit? The local Polaris dealer has a package deal with Polaris wheels and Sedona Rip Saw RTs for a little under a grand. They look cool, but don’t know if they are any good for WV. What do you guys think? Charlie
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Post by Randy_R on Sept 8, 2012 14:47:55 GMT -5
Ride your current wheels and then decide. We have plenty of people riding stocke tires with no issues. When those wear out purchase a set of MaxXis Big Horns.
Easy enough...
Don't give anyone $1000 for a set of wheels/tires. That is crazy unless they are bead locks.
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Post by David B on Sept 8, 2012 14:59:09 GMT -5
I agree Randy, even with some of the road riding we do in WV ,which eats soft stock tires, the Bighorns may last 3000 mi.
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Post by tomdesena on Sept 8, 2012 18:24:50 GMT -5
Charlie - I have had Big Horns for 4 years on 2 different bikes - they are great all around tires for WV trails -- I went 4500 miles on my last rear set which still had plenty of tread however the treads started to round and did not bite as well as they used to --- so I highly recommend them -- not cheap but not too expensive - I found Rocky Mountain ATV.com the best price for them - about $400- $450 a set based on size - shipping is free at Rocky Mountain over $100 purchase
But until you think your tread on the stock tires is too worn to ride anymore use them -- they'll be finr for WV
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Post by Larry M on Sept 8, 2012 21:08:58 GMT -5
Charlie,
I'm on my 3rd set of Maxxis Bighorns. Two on my 1st Honda Rincon and one on my 2nd Rincon. Bought them at Rocky Mountain ATV. I'm getting 3,500 miles on them.
Maxxis Bighorn ATV Tire 25x8R-12 $111.99 Maxxis Bighorn ATV Tire 25x10R-12 $117.99
I got 800 miles on the stock original Dunlop tires. I know Tom has had a flat tire on the Bighorns. I've been lucky. I've never had a flat tire on them. They are unidirectional, so it doesn't matter which way you put them on. The have thick side lugs to grip tight spots and avoid slicing. They ride will on pavement as well.
Larry
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2012 13:46:01 GMT -5
I just ordered a set of Bighorns for my CanAm. Theres two versions, the original BH and the BH 2.0. The 2.0 is a lighter tire, with a slightly thinner tread block and ( some say) thinner sidewalls, which saves about 5 pounds per tire in weight.
The original BHs are a heavy tire, and smaller displacement bikes feel that weight when accelerating. There's a lot of discussions about different tires out there, but the consensus is get the original BH for durability and long life, get the 2.0 for weight savings and less impact to your acceleration and ( arguably) better handling because of less unsprung weight.
Pay attention to the sizes, or more accurately the tire circumference/diameter. If you put on a heavy tire, combined with folks upsizing to radical diameters cause they look cool and you will absolutely kill your performance and rob power. The original BHs run large- so a 25" is actually ~25.5" tall etc, or in effect taller than my stock 26 inch tires which actually measured 24.8". The BH 2.0s run much closer to the marked diameters.
I chose the original BH, in 25".
BTW Rocky Mountain is out of the 25x10-12s till November. They do have the 2.0s in stock however.
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Post by Charlie D on Sept 9, 2012 21:05:00 GMT -5
Great discussion! Thanks for all the info. I think I will run my current set of tires a bit longer as suggested and then spring for a set of Bighorns. Given that my Sportsman is only a 500, I am leaning towards the 2.0s and keeping the diameter the same as my current set, which are 25s. Interestingly, as I was reading up on wheels and offset, I realized I have to be careful about my choice should I buy a new set of wheels. If I widen the stance any wider than 48” I can’t get my ATV between the wheel wells in my truck. Thanks again for the great info. - Charlie
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2012 0:51:05 GMT -5
I've had 5 different sets tires on my 500 Sportsman (Carlisle ACTs, Mudlite XTRs, Itp Bajacross, Maxxis Big Horn 2.0s, and now the original Big Horns. The original Big Horns have got em all beat by leaps and bounds for West Va type riding. Whatever you do, stick with 12" rims. I've had 14" rims and could not stand them. They rode stiffer and are so easy to get side wall pinches in them.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2012 6:52:10 GMT -5
Yeah what Brian said about the wheel size is spot-on. With a 14" wheel and the same outside diameter tire you have 2" less sidewall to absorb impacts ( think of it as having a second set of springs that no one ever thinks about ). The 12's will ride better.You will also be less likely to bend a wheel with the smaller rim as theres more tire to absorb rocks, short sidewalls do little to protect the rim. The low profile ( aspect ratio) sidewall big wheels thing came out of the racing world where they didnt want anything affecting the spring rates, and tire squirm and compliance compromised their setups. They also want the largest rims so that humongous brake rotors will fit inside the wheel, and the absolute minimum weight in a tire/ wheel assembly. Now because it looks cool people copy the look but typically haven't a clue what they are doing (ie Lincoln slammed out and riding around on 30" rims- must ride and handle like a Conestoga wagon plus I bet that setup is on a 36 month finance program...) . Dealers are reaping fantastic profits in tire/ wheel sales from guys who think this junk looks cool, but largely its a total waste of money. All the ATV forums are full of guys posting stuff like : "I'm getting a set of Scorched Earth Turbo tires on 28 inch polished Depleted Uranium rims..." And theres always the guys egging them on or recommending crap that wont fit, wont work and will wind up ruining the guys ATV. Kinda sad theres so much Monkey See Monkey Do stuff out there. To each his own I guess...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2012 11:45:02 GMT -5
you are exactly right Grumpy. I can understand having 14"s if you are just riding in the sand dunes or somewhere where its not rocky. I have 14"s on my RZR and each tire has at least 10 to 25 plugs each and the ITP ss wheels are beat all to pieces. While my 12"s, which have about the same amount of mileage, have just a few plugs and just a few small nicks on the rims. To go along with what you are saying Grumpy, I get a kick out of these guys who put 28" to 31" Outlaws or Silverbacks on their atvs and don't even put em in mud. And to be honest those kind of tires are absolutely useless in WV. Theres some mud in WV, but not tons of it. And just about every person that has rode with me that had them kind tires, would always have to stop and check or work on something on their atv. I wouldn't mind finding me an old 700 Sportsman to fix up for mudding. But I would never take it up to WV to ride 70 to 100 miles on the trails.
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Post by Charlie D on Sept 10, 2012 19:38:19 GMT -5
Almost like you guys can read my mind; my next question was going to be about 14” rims. I would much rather comfort over cool! So I have a plan thanks to your sage advice. I will use up a little more tread on my current set of tires and then bag a set of original Bighorns to put on my stock 12” rims.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2012 22:40:52 GMT -5
Anything along the lines of a Big Horn, ITP Terracross, GBC Dirt commanders, GBC Grim Reapers will be ideal for WV. But I like the Big Horns the best.
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Lee
Trail Rider Fanatic poster
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Post by Lee on Sept 11, 2012 7:19:59 GMT -5
Big Horn 1.0 I fought it for a long time. Wore out a set of MudLite XL's before giving in to the radial, and can't believe the difference in the Brute's ride. And raised white letters too. ;D
Doesn't that make me a red-neck extraordinaire?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2012 10:23:40 GMT -5
I mounted my Bighorns with the white letters IN so they didnt clash with my Spinner hubcaps.
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Post by tomdesena on Sept 11, 2012 12:40:19 GMT -5
Spinner Hubs -- you go Grump-Daddy!!!!!!
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Post by brianbrown on Sept 26, 2012 19:04:28 GMT -5
spinner hubs! too funny..
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Post by Matt H (aka Tiger Rag) on Sept 27, 2012 15:51:16 GMT -5
Sedona Rip Saws are really heavy and will take away a lot of power from your 500. I think a 12" wheel will not only ride better but help guard against a sidewall pinch between the wheel and rock with low tire pressure. Now that said, you will have more target area for a sidewall tear when sliding around a rocky curve. Bighorns are really tough. I'm currently running them on my XP RZR. Good solid all around tire for packed trails etc. Not great in mud and my biggest beef is they push around turns. Lots of good new tread patterns in radials right now. Among my finalists for my next tire are the Kenda Bearclaw HTR Pitbull Rocker (expensive): and I've forgotten the other at the moment. When I get to about 1000 miles I'll start thinking harder on it. I'll still have good tread left on the Bighorns so I'll be able to sell them and get to sample something new. One thing that rules out a lot of tires for me is that many of the new tires are only made for 14" wheels. I've got 12" Beadlock OMF wheels and I'm not getting rid of them, not to mention I do prefer 12" wheels. Good luck when you go to get your new set.
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Post by Matt H (aka Tiger Rag) on Sept 27, 2012 16:11:57 GMT -5
BTW, my opinion on Bighorn tires is specifically regarding experience with SxS vehicles. I had them on my Rhino and again on my RZR. They probably don't push nearly as bad on an ATV as they do on a SxS. They really don't push nearly as much on my XP RZR as they did my Rhino. I'm sure that has a lot to do with the center of gravity between the two vehicles.
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Post by Michael P on Sept 27, 2012 16:13:01 GMT -5
Matt fwiw I am loving the borderline indestructability of my Black Diamond XTR's so far.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2012 19:57:01 GMT -5
Duro Power Grip Radial ATV Tire is another one worth looking at for the price. I have been running them with good results. Similar tread pattern to the Big horn. Little bit softer compound they bite rocks better but they also wear a little faster so its a trade off.
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