[Grizzcrazy]

Alright, I don't plan on getting tires until next year but winter has me thinking. I need tires that'll go through the snow easy but not be ruff as a cob in the summer. I also like messing in the sand and limestone. I guess I am getting at, is there a tire like that? I have some ITP lites on my Kawasaki but I do more daring stuff on my Grizzly. Fire away!

 

[mainehunter]

Alright, I don't plan on getting tires until next year but winter has me thinking. I need tires that'll go through the snow easy but not be ruff as a cob in the summer. I also like messing in the sand and limestone. I guess I am getting at, is there a tire like that? I have some ITP lites on my Kawasaki but I do more daring stuff on my Grizzly. Fire away!

All I am going by is what a bunch of guys have said on this forum, but the concensus seems to be that the Pitbull Growlers are pretty much tops for snow without being to rough on hard ground.

 

[Grizzcrazy]

Thanks! Hopefully some of these guys from Canada can help me out too. Also Is it a good idea to go bigger. I would only do 26's probably, but I want to know if you guys think it improves the Grizzly? I have a '02 660 for the people who can't see my signature.

 

[mainehunter]

The stock 25" Dunlops on my 700 actually only measure 24-1/2". So when I get the HTR Bearclaws, I'm going to 26", and they actually measure 26.4". Pretty much a 2" increase in actual diameter, plus a lot heavier. I was thinking 27's for awhile, but I'm listening to Dezz, Reogem and some others. I don't want to do any major engine or clutch mods, maybe just the purple spring and 1.5mm shim if I think I need to. Unless you are doing wicked rough trails where you really need super ground clearance, I bet 26" would be dandy for your ride.

 

[Grizzcrazy]

My neighbor has some bearclaws, let me know how you like them. I don't know much in the tire world so I really am interested in what works the best. I am hoping not to ride ruff trails but maybe gain a little clearance. I want to do a shim so that would be on it. I would prefere not to worry about a spring for it because I have heard good and bad. I understand you can cut the can plate but I really don't want to. I usually have my buddys on an old car hood sledding around so that's why I want some good tires.

 

[Discount Tire]

We would agree the Pit Bull Growler XOR BG2.5 would be a solid choice for your ATV. Here is a link to them on Discount Tire Direct:

Pit Bull Growler XOR BG2.5] | Discount Tire Direct

Please let us know if we can help.

 

[Grizzcrazy]

We would agree the Pit Bull Growler XOR BG2.5 would be a solid choice for your ATV. Here is a link to them on Discount Tire Direct:

Pit Bull Growler XOR BG2.5] | Discount Tire Direct

Please let us know if we can help.

Thank you, I appreciate it.:smile2:

 

[RedRocket]

I do know someone who really seems to like the Kenda HTR Bearclaws. He feels they are equally as good as the original Maxxis Big Horns but at a lower cost. But, he also rides a PoPo and doesn't like Grizzly bikes even though he has consistently replaced his PoPo machines every 3 or so years., last time because the PoPo model he had was having lots of engine failures. Not sure if there is a weight difference between the two but I've personally never used the Bearclaws, they do look good.

Another tire that looks good would be the Pitbull Growler. @reogem runs those and really seems to like them. IIRC, those are 8-ply and definitely heavier than the Big Horns even though the Big Horns aren't light. Big Horns being 6-ply. When I was shopping for tires a few years ago, the Growlers were more expensive than the Big Horns.

I've been very happy with my Big Horns which are highly regarded here on GC. I did slice a hole in my right front BH and had to replace that tire. Would an 8-ply avoided that slice? Who knows.

For the Rocky Mountains, if I were shopping again today, it would most likely be between the Growlers and Big Horns. If money was tight, I would take a serious look at the Bearclaws and see the longevity riders were getting out of them. And, I'd probably still end up buying a set of Big Horns.

 

[Grizzcrazy]

I do know someone who really seems to like the Kenda HTR Bearclaws. He feels they are equally as good as the original Maxxis Big Horns but at a lower cost. But, he also rides a PoPo and doesn't like Grizzly bikes even though he has consistently replaced his PoPo machines every 3 or so years., last time because the PoPo model he had was having lots of engine failures. Not sure if there is a weight difference between the two but I've personally never used the Bearclaws, they do look good.

Another tire that looks good would be the Pitbull Growler. @reogem runs those and really seems to like them. IIRC, those are 8-ply and definitely heavier than the Big Horns even though the Big Horns aren't light. Big Horns being 6-ply. When I was shopping for tires a few years ago, the Growlers were more expensive than the Big Horns.

I've been very happy with my Big Horns which are highly regarded here on GC. I did slice a hole in my right front BH and had to replace that tire. Would an 8-ply avoided that slice? Who knows.

For the Rocky Mountains, if I were shopping again today, it would most likely be between the Growlers and Big Horns. If money was tight, I would take a serious look at the Bearclaws and see the longevity riders were getting out of them. And, I'd probably still end up buying a set of Big Horns.

I looked at some pitbulls, not cheap! I really like the tire but I am worried about the weight. @RedRocket do the Big Horns do well in the snow? I have heard they are a great tire. It'd be great if @reogem would weigh in on the pitbulls.

 

[RedRocket]

We ran into some decent snow this day. The Big Horns do well in the snow. If you get high centered, you will lose traction just like any other tire. There might be a better tire for snow, but how well will it do outside of snow?

 

[Grizzcrazy]

So true. I am going to have a look at some bighorns. They are a highly recommended tire. I realize they aren't as good looking but I don't want to have to redo my clutch when I get tires. Thanks guys!

 

[dezz]

You can't go wrong with either tire you choose between the Big Horns or Pit Bulls. Both are great performing, long lasting durable tires.
In overall performance, I would rate the Pit bulls better. The tread design simply offers that.
But I would rate the Bighorn for better wear rating, especially for the best useable part of the tread.
Let me explain that....the Bighorn use a solid block of rubber. The gripping profile does not change on the lug as the tire wears. Only the tread depth changes.
The Pit bull's on the other hand, use sipes or grooves in the lugs. These sipes do not go through the entire depth of the lug. Only a certain amount. Once these sipes/grooves wear off, traction and performance is reduced.
This is what I mean by best useable tread depth.

I once had Highlifter Radial Outlaws. I loved that tire. The best performing tire I have ever used. Excelled in all conditions.....but they were heavy beyond belief....and once the sipes wore off (approximately 1/4" deep), traction and performance took a drastic drop. Once the sipes wore off, the best useable tread was gone.

 

[Grizzcrazy]

WOW! Thank you everyone!

You can't go wrong with either tire you choose between the Big Horns or Pit Bulls. Both are great performing, long lasting durable tires.
In overall performance, I would rate the Pit bulls better. The tread design simply offers that.
But I would rate the Bighorn for better wear rating, especially for the best useable part of the tread.
Let me explain that....the Bighorn use a solid block of rubber. The gripping profile does not change on the lug as the tire wears. Only the tread depth changes.
The Pit bull's on the other hand, use sipes or grooves in the lugs. These sipes do not go through the entire depth of the lug. Only a certain amount. Once these sipes/grooves wear off, traction and performance is reduced.
This is what I mean by best useable tread depth.

I once had Highlifter Radial Outlaws. I loved that tire. The best performing tire I have ever used. Excelled in all conditions.....but they were heavy beyond belief....and once the sipes wore off (approximately 1/4" deep), traction and performance took a drastic drop. Once the sipes wore off, the best useable tread was gone.

Wow. I would not have known all that. I am leaning toward the Big Horns. Tread wear, now that you've explained it, is a big factor in the tire for me. Bear Claws also have sipes, no good. Pit Bulls would be fun and great but I think I am going with some 26inch Big Horns. Thank you everyone!

 

[dezz]

Wow. I would not have known all that. I am leaning toward the Big Horns. Tread wear, now that you've explained it, is a big factor in the tire for me. Bear Claws also have sipes, no good. Pit Bulls would be fun and great but I think I am going with some 26inch Big Horns. Thank you everyone!

Don't misunderstand what I said. The Pit Bulls are still very long lasting tires. When the sipes/grooves wear off, it does not mean they lose all grip and traction. It just means it will be reduced. Don't base your tire purchase on wear alone or what I said alone.

The type of terrain and use should play a bigger role. The Pit bull's may be the better overall option for you. If I were buying new tires today, the Pit Bull Growler's would be near the top of my list.

 

[Grizzcrazy]

I completely agree. I have been doing lots of looking around on previous threads. I like the pit bull, however, it is a heavy tire that could kill performance, making me spend more money than just tires. Second it's tread wear is not as good as the big horn. Third Big Horns have a reputation that can't be topped on this forum. I know pit bulls are great, look good, and heavy tires mean less risk of of putting a hole through it. I have a year to think it over. It is hard because both are great all terian tires, and would fit my use very well. I am still leaning toward the Big Horns.

 

[MORSNO]

After making the mistake of putting heavy 26" Mudlite HTR's, I went for lite weight replacements to get my power back on my old 550. Maxxis Zilla's were the answer for me. In 7 years of running Zillas on two Grizzly's and now on my Wolverine SXS, I've only used one plug for a sidewall cut. Tire diameter and weight make a big performance difference, just something else to consider as there is no perfect tire for every condition.

 

[Grizzcrazy]

That's great to know. I do have a 660 and could probably get away with running 26's. I am not sure yet, I guess it'll depend on budget when I upgrade. I really do think the Big Horns are the fit for me. Since a shim is cheap and easy to do, I think I will just do that and not worry about the size.

 

[Grizzcrazy]

To close this thread, I am more than likley going with Maxxis Big Horn 2.0s in 25inch.