New tires & wheels for my quad!

[BruteForce]

I got a promotion (and bonus) at work yesterday. Since it was a fairly decent bonus, I'm going to finally splurge and buy new tires & rims for my beloved ATV.

I'm just trying to determine if I go 25" (current size/stock) or 26" and go with 12" (stock) rims or 14" rims.

I'm leaning toward the Maxxis Bighorn tires paired with the ITP SS108 Machined Alloy rims.

Thoughts?

2005 Kawasaki Brute Force 750i

[GOCK]

What will a taller tire do to your center of gravity?
If you like getting really agressive on your trail riding you may want to consider that.
I do like thsoe bighorn's though!

[BruteForce]

Based on feedback from another site, I went with 12" ITP SS108 rims paired with 26x12x12 Bighorns on all four tires!

[RedMan]

Bruteforce,

Good choice. Bighorns are simply the best.
Some claim they can tell that some HP was robbed by heavier/larger tires.
If its true I guess I don't care because the Bighorns are worth the trade off. I'm rock hopping not road racing.

[CrazyFinn]

Good move. I looked at the ITP rims and they are nice.

[BruteForce]

Tires/Rims are set for delivery today. I'll mount them up, take a few photos and determine if the larger fronts will be problematic. Good thing RMATV is only in Payson in case I need to exchange the fronts for 12x9's.

[BruteForce]

Well, tires arrived are are mounted! WOW! I believe I've gained 4 inches of rear clearance by adding these tires/rims.

A few photos:
BEFORE w/Stock rims & Maxxis All Track Tires
http://www.xmission.com/~jamesk/tires/tire-before.jpg

AFTER w/the 26x12x12 all around
http://www.xmission.com/~jamesk/tires/tire-after.jpg

Comparison between old and new front tires
http://www.xmission.com/~jamesk/tires/tire-front.jpg

Comparison between old and new rear tires
http://www.xmission.com/~jamesk/tires/tire-rear.jpg

I can't get over how huge these tires are when compared to the old Maxxis All Tracks; especially the rear tires.

In taking it up and down the street a few times, I can definitely feel the difference (loss) of power.

So, to keep the 26x12x12 up front or return to RMATV and replace with 26x9x12. :-/

[CrazyFinn]

Those rims look bigger than the old ones. They sure do look a lot better. What an improvement!

Besides the HP loss, I would check the turning with the bigger front tires in a softer surface, maybe sand? See if it's harder to turn.

[chickenlicken]

Nice tires and rims. Now you just need to go find some mud and tear it up!

[BruteForce]

Nice tires and rims. Now you just need to go find some mud and tear it up!

Found a ton of mud, snow, ice and slush in the Five Mile Pass area on Saturday. The south side of Five Mile was absolutely muddy, while the North side still had quite a bit of snow.

Made it all the way up to the top/North overlooking Mercur mine: