Best Tires For Sandy/Intermediate Conditions?

[bkelley]

I'm not talking paddles. I'm looking for a tire that will perform well in all conditions, including sandy and soft terrains. A lot of the places I go are a mix of sand, rocks, hard pack, et cetera and my HDs just sink when I hit the sand. It's kinda pathetic, really. I'm guessing it has something to do with the weight of them. I believe they are 20 or more lbs a piece. I was looking at some of the Kenda tires (Klaws, Kutters, Knarlys) but I don't know how they perform. The Razr Ballances look nice, too. I'd like to stick with a 20".

[mfr440]

I had Kenda Klaws on my Mojave and really liked them in the sand. The tread is a dual-pattern. You can flip them for improved sand traction, just look at the arrows on the side (soft or hard). I also rode hare scrambles with a mix of sand, mud, and clay, and they never let me down! I usually passed people in the mud - the only chance I ever got...

My Klaws were a great all-around tire, but were a bit balloonish. I honestly don't remember what size they were, so smaller ones might not be so bad.

I run HD's now, but I have paddles for the sand and a LOT more powerful quad.

[beags86]

wooly booger

http://www.gemplers.com/product/G61015/25-x-10-12-4-ply-Mud-Sand-ATV-Tire

lol just messing around, i can't say since i've never had them but i hear good things about klaws, they will be my next set of rears when i need them.

[honda400ex2003]

imo the stockers are about the best all around tire since they float decent in the sand but still grip alright in dirt and mud. they clean out alright if you keep them spinning so that is a plus too. steve

[bkelley]

Originally posted by honda400ex2003
imo the stockers are about the best all around tire since they float decent in the sand but still grip alright in dirt and mud. they clean out alright if you keep them spinning so that is a plus too. steve I was actually looking at some Dunlop Radials.

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/productDetail.do?navType=type&webTypeId=138&navTitle=Tires+and+Wheels&webCatId=8&prodFamilyId=15822

They look like they'd handle sand pretty decent. I think they're 18" only, though.

[beags86]

i have a stock set of 08' honda 450r tires on my 02 and i like them alot, they are pretty close to the tread you have picked out there, mine have a few more lugs on them, but there close.

[atv fan 28]

How about some Pro Wedge 2s.

[CJM]

Now see I found the stockers utterly horrible on any kinda of surface but hard stuff. In sand I almost flipped my buddys that is an 07 leftover and had 5 hours on it cause the tires didnt predictably grab.

[beags86]

you almost flipped in the sand because of a lack of predictably? hmmm.....
or was it you didn't predict what they were going to do right?

none-the-less i like my stockers, in my opinion there is not a damn thing wrong with them for general riding, they bite well, slide well, and float well. there not the best at any one thing, but there decent all the way around. prob why honda puts them on stock. in my opinion.

[CJM]

no what i mean is compared to other tires on 400s and other quads they dont slide around like they should. IE they grab when they want.

i can make my kenda klaws do anything i want, the stockers just did what they wanted when they wanted too.

Although the time I almost flipped cause they slid then all of the sudden grabbed was on loose, wet sand. was doing donuts and all of the sudent he dang things grabbed and flipped me around a kit. Same day taking a corner they just slid and slid and slid and i finally was able to make them grab. Same day, same corner with my kenda klaws no issue.

[bkelley]

I'm leaning towards the Kenda Klaws right now. I can get both front and rears for $218 from Chaparral Motor sports.

[99exrider94]

i really like the Holeshot XCR's they are nice

[bkelley]

Holeshots, and all ITP tires in general, are too expensive. I really like the new QuadCrosses, but they're $100 a tire. I can get two Kenda Klaws for only $11 more.

[99exrider94]

yes they are expensive but if you find a deal on them like i did they are def. worth it

[dodahman]

I kinda like my Carlisle Badlands. They don't do quite as well as paddles in the sand but they really aren't that bad. They hook up like crazy in the hard pack yet still slide decent when you want them to.

I also picked them up for $20/ea new from Pep Boys. (They may have been clearanced) :)

[bkelley]

ITP sent me this.

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/4487/image001qm.jpg

I'm still liking the QuadCross XCs.

[TRXRacer1]

I liked my Kenda Knarly's for an all terrain tire. Never have been happy with an ITP tire. A fresh stock tire is a damn good tire though.

[bkelley]

Do you know how heavy the Knarlys are?

[TRXRacer1]

Originally posted by bkelley
Do you know how heavy the Knarlys are? I was running the 6ply 21x11-9's and they were 1lb more then a 20" XCR. Can't remember the exact number though, sorry.

[TRXRacer1]

All 6 ply....

21" Knarly = 16.63 Lbs.

20" Knarly = 14.95 Lbs.

20" XCR = 15.18 Lbs.

20" XCR Klaw = 18.13 Lbs.

[bkelley]

Wow, I'm liking those numbers. You know where I can find a 20" Knarly?

[TRXRacer1]

I bought my 21" from RMATV but they don't even list that tire anymore. DK has the regular version but I ran the parker style. Sorry man. If you do MX the knarly had a little too much bite for railing burms. If the quadcross is looking good to you I'd recommend the 20" Klaws.

I was wrong earlier, I gave you the 22" weight for the Klaw XCR. The 20" is 15.93 Lbs.

[priesty]

Try the ITP "Tracstars", best all rounder I've ever had, hard,soft,mud,sand, does it all. ;)

[bkelley]

These Dunlop Quadmax Sports (http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=653246&store=&catId=108&productId=p653246&leafCatId=10802) look pretty nice. The price is right, too. I was also checking out the Maxxis iRazrs. They claim to be good in loose conditions.

[TRXRacer1]

I can not speak for those exact tires but Dunlops have always been too soft for my likings.

[bkelley]

Too soft as in they wear fast?

[TRXRacer1]

Originally posted by bkelley
Too soft as in they wear fast? Puncture easy, wear fast but in all fairness I'm trying to reserve some judgment because I don't know what compound they are using in that particular tire. It could be fine. Just in my experience they suck.

Have you surfed RMATV yet? Usually they have some great prices.

[DuwBra]

Knarleys are in my opinion the shiz. Absolutely a great all around tire. I think, not certain, but are the lightest six ply you can get......somebody correct me? You can haul some *** in mud with them, they really shine in loose and muddy conditions. They're light too so I hear they float decent.