Tires for my sportsman 500

[nickdolin]

Hey guys, thanks for the help on my last question, the "Bouncing" thread. Anyway I'm thinking of replacing the tires and I am wondering what are some of the favored mud tires by you forum guys/girls. I don't do much hill climbing and I prefer "mudding". Most of the mud here is the thick stuff with water on top (and without). So far I like the GBC Gator and the Maxxis Mud Bug. I think I'll stick with 25's as many of the 26's I think would be too wide for the stock rims (they offer 10'' wide for the fronts&rears or 12'' for the rears). How wide can I go on the stock rims?

Thanks Guys!

[Kerbbirds]

9 and 10 inch tires will rub on the front tie rod end unless you flip the tie rod end or buy wheel spacers or offset wheels.

[09 popo HO]

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm thinking of going with 26" or 27" Zilla's. I want a little more height, plus they run small in size just like the stock 489's that came with the 500. Since even the 25's will rub with 9" fronts you might as well up size a bit. I'm planning on flipping the front tie rod ends to keep it all from rubbing.

[wildmanben]

I just got GBC Dirt Devil IIs and am impressed so far. They definately dig in the mud.

[700 sportsman]

I'd also strongly consider the Maxxis Zilla's, they would be a great tire for you IMO, also, you would have to get new rims, or flip the tie rod ends, this may sound like a not good thing, but anything I've heard from people have been good, there is no bad attributes to doing this, besides having to re align the front end, which isn't hard if you have the service manual, which I have for your bike if you need it

[midnightxplorer]

Well I run 26x12x12 rear and 26x10x12 front mud bugs, it tears the rubber boots on the tie rods end but that no big deal, turns them no problem....thinking on going bigger....