ATV Connection Magazine

AT tire help

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Posted by: CaptainQuint

I wanted something cheap and fairly mild for my old project Polaris I use on the farm and I went with Dirt Devil ATs. I've been pretty happy with them so far. They're pretty good in the mud and pretty good on hardpack and everything else. They seem to be a good all around tire. Not bad in the snow either.

If you ride gravel roads a lot be aware they seem to grab a rock every now and then, hold it and then toss it. I think it gets caught in the tread somewhere. Not a big deal if you have good fender protection. I don't.

Posted by: buckaroo50

Check out either MudCats, or MudGear, both are very good trail tires and work really good in the mud.... 25" MudCats also have 1" tread depth. I run both - MudGear on the front and MudCats on the rear

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/...ang/MudCat/MudCat.htm
http://www.nebraskatire.com/atv/gear/mud_gear.htm

Also a very good tire is Duro Buffalo

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/...V%20TIRES/duro_mud.htm

Posted by: v2rider

I have 1000 miles on my swamplites, and they are my next choice of tire when i need them again. They have NEVER went flat, or not pulled me out of the crap. I vote for swamplites

Posted by: v2rider

The Swamplites added about 3/4 inch more of ground clearance. That was also a plus for me.

Posted by: SBuckJ

I had the Mudlites and didn't care for them. I now have the Swamplites and ride pretty much the same as you. They are easier steering and a more comfortable ride than the Mudlites and I haven't lost anything in the mud. Nice comfortable tire all-around. I don't have any experience with the bearclaws.
Try http://www.mudthrowers.com

Hope this helps.
Buck

Posted by: SBuckJ

I think you're right with the XTR's. Pretty heavy for a 350. No offense, but the two who recommend the XTR's are a 650 and 750. I'd stay lighter like the Mudlites or my favorite the Swamplite.
Buck

Posted by: SBuckJ

One thing ACpower doesn't understand is that with a smaller machine the extra ground clearance is a plus. Though there aren't any specs on "true" heighth the Swamplites measure true where the Mudlite XL's (not sure of the XTR's) measure way small. I had 25" Mudlite XL's that measured 23 inches tall when new (1 1/8 lug) where my Swamplites actually measure true (all tires with 4.5 lbs of air). That extra 1" of ground clearance had gotten me out of a few situations on my 450 Kodiak. So, ummmm. ACpower, that's where "I'm from". Not that it makes that much of a difference, my specs com from mudthrowers.com which shows the Swamplites as 5lbs lighter than you show. Also the hugh price difference may be a factor (anywhere between $160-$200)
Buck

Posted by: SBuckJ

acpower, what an attitude. Seems as though you are a "fanboy" of the Mudlite XTR's just because you have them. There are many tires out there that perform well not just the Mudlite XTR's or Swamplites. Most is based on OPINION. I am basing my decision of the fact I had a machine close to his in size (450 Kodiak) with both the Mudlites and Swamplites. I am trying to base this on tires I have tried...are you? As far as weight issues, I am going on previous posts I have read, when people with smaller machines buy radials. You have to agree that your machine can easily overcome weight and agressive tread issues more easily than a 350 machine. Also, when the tires like Mudlite XL's have a more aggressive tread, bottom end is lost (which can be gained by various upgrades). So base your decision on not only this post but check out other ATV sites as well. As far as the price difference, I haven' seen Mudlite XTR's for only $25 more per tire. Where are you checkin? I may have to check out that website too.
Buck

P.S.- I have heard alot of good things about Mudbugs too although I've never tried them. I didn't think they were radials though.

Posted by: SBuckJ

I like the Swamplite better due to the added heighth and the fact that my Mudlites had slices in the sidewall frequently. I think the Mudlite would have been a better mud tire had they been true to size but I like the Swamplite better all-around and because of the added clearance.
Buck

Posted by: SBuckJ

Enjoy the tires and wheels and let us know what you think about them after putting on some hours!
Buck

Posted by: Honeyduck96

Have a look at MudSharks. My brother runs em on his KFX400. Not sure about the weight (might be a little heavy), but they're not TOO aggressive, yet hook up fairly good.

Posted by: acpower

i have 27" ITP Mudlite XTRs on my AC 650 v2. i wouldnt recommend anything but them. my buddy has Swamplites on his Grizz and i can go through more and i think the ride is better imo. also ridden a lot of other AT tires and XTRs are still my favorite. a beefed up mudlite with sort of a 589 look. nice deep lugs plus theyre radial. check out my pics of them.

Posted by: acpower

all of the below are 25"
Mudlite XTR front 22.7
Mudlite XTR rear 27.5
XTR total 100.4
1 1/8" lug

Swamplite front 19
Swamplite rear 23
Swamplite total 84
3/4" lug

Mudlite XT front 19.5
Mudlite XT rear 22.5
Mudlite XT total 84
1 1/8" lug

as you can see the Swamplite has the least deep lug, but still weight as much as the Mudlite XTs. So you might as well jump up the whole 16.4 lbs and get the XTRs, you get the radial ride, better traction than the Mudlites and the Swamplites and you get a radial ride. Theres no possible way that 16 lbs is going to effect the performance either so i see only 1 clear choice here and its the Mudlite XTRs. Not sure where SBuckJ gets his info or where hes from but 16 lbs is not that much more heavy. Need anymore advice or specs let me know. Good luck and buy the XTRs

Posted by: acpower

last i heard Interco makes the SwampLite not mudthrowers.com and Interco's site just happened to list them at what i posted. My XTRs also measure true to their 27" with 5 lbs of air. So go ahead and email mudthrowers and tell them to check their specs with the maker before they lie on their site. Im trying to help the poster make the best choice and just cause youre a fanboy of the Swamplites you shouldnt post false statements. The XTR is a superior tire, i have ridden these 3 tires and many other tires and know how they ride and feel, and the XTR is truely better. So my specs are spot on. So the ground clearance would be the same but the ride would be better on the XTR, along with the mudding ability and handling. Anything else to add feel free buck.

Posted by: acpower

btw you said "Also the hugh price difference may be a factor (anywhere between $160-$200)" well at $25 more total for 4 tires your info doesnt add up again.

Posted by: acpower

not a fanboy but a factboy, having ridden most of the tires mentioned here for enough time to get a feel of the tires in most any terrain i have a good feeling i know what im talking about. not an attitude, just know what im talking about and trying to help someone make the right decision.

Posted by: ridnMT

I would also agree with acpower- ITP mudlite XTR, AWESOME.

Posted by: vinson27

The 25" ITP Terracross may also fit your needs. They are fairly light weight, ride well and are 6-ply.

Posted by: WoodRat

Haven't tried them yet but I'm looking at Maxxis Bighorn for my next tires, radial with 6-ply rating. Customer testimonials say they'll last 10,000 miles or better. They have a wide foot print for stability and weight on a 25 " tire is 21.4 lbs.

Posted by: HeftyLefty

Don't overlook Goodyear Mud Runners. They even have a run flat version now.

Posted by: kurt1011

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My 350 bruin 4x4 needs some new shoes. i ride mainly trails with the occasionaly deep mud hole. looking at bearclaws, mudlites and swamp lites. I am adding itp wheels to get and additional 1" wider offset per wheel. Keeping it stock size 25". Also, weight is a factor for the little 350, the rear wheels weigh: stock ~ 18 lbs, bearclaws 23, mudlites 19.3 and swamplites 23 lbs. i have also read the swamp lites sit taller than the other 2 - this is a negative for me as i am trying to add stability. Suggestions? thanks for the input

Posted by: kurt1011

thanks for the input...

Posted by: kurt1011

were the swampltes taller than stock tires...assumming same size. i really like this tire and leaning towards buying them

Posted by: kurt1011

i ruled out the bighorns due to the weight...the weights I listed above are the rear weight (25x10x12).the bighorn rear tire for my size is 27 lbs.

ordering the tires next week, right now leaning on bear claws

Has anyone tried the new bear claw ex?

Posted by: kurt1011

i lke the XTR's as well, my concern is the weight and my 350's ability to pull them. the XTR's would weigh 30 lbs more than mudlites and 17 lbs more than bear claws (this is total weight for all 4)

Posted by: kurt1011

Here is a chart that i am using to base the decision...maybe it wil save some else some time

l
25/8/12 25/10/12
weight total
front rear weight

15 19.3 MUDLIGHT 68.6
18.3 20 DIRT DEVIL II 76.6
18.2 22 MUD BUG RADIAL 80.4
17 24.8 ACT RADIAL 11" WIDE IN REAR 3 PLY 83.6
19 23 SWAMPLITE 84
19.5 22.5 MUDLIGHT XL 84
19 23 BEARCLAW 84
18 25 DUCKS U WETLAND 86
22.7 27.5 ITP XTR 100.4

i really don't want to buy the mudligt AT with 3/4 lugs...but for a 350 auto w/o a low gear - it may be the best bet.
if i did choose a radial, it would be the ACT - but 3 ply rating??

any other opinions?

Posted by: kurt1011

thanks for the help guys. Mud bug has 2 versions - the original in bias and a radial....the radial is a little lighter and has 1" lug where the bias has 1 1/8" lug. However t he bug R and bear claw ex are relatively new and have few if any reviews or opinions.

SBuckJ...you have had both swamplite and mudlite and like the swamplite better?

Posted by: kurt1011

Thank you for everyone's help. i ordered supergrip's super lite tires in the stock size on supergrip's five star cast wheels.

Total set up is $500 (includes shipping, lug nuts and center caps). from http://www.kgmotorcycletires.com