[Nacho]

Howdy everyone,
I've got a 2000 Bombardier Traxter (yeah I know its old, but it still runs great!) that I've owned since new. Recently a buddy wrecked it bad enough to pop 3 tires, bend 3 wheels, and require new steering linkage. Anyhow, I've gotten it fixed, but I need to get new wheels and tires. I use it for hunting, so I'm looking to get the SS108s in black. I've narrowed it down to two different tires... Maxxis Bighorns or Carlisle Mudwolfs.

The Bighorns sound great, but mostly what I hear is people using them in the rocks. I live in central Florida, so I'll most likely see more mud than rocks. I don't target mud holes, but it can be nasty here. Most of my riding is in pastures (they can get muddy), woods, palmetto patches, river/creek crossings, and some blacktop. So I like the toughness of the Bighorns, that they are great on the trail, smooth riding, and radials. But I am a little worried about their mud capabilities. The Mudwolfs are so new that I haven't found much info about them. I really am leaning towards the Bighorns, but I’m a little concerned that they’ll stink in the Florida mud.

---Concerned with:
1. Ride quality (especially on harder surfaces; also because the Traxter is rough riding anyhow)
2. Tread wear
3. Decent (to good) mud performance
4. Toughness (palmetto roots and cypress stumps are rough!)

---Not concerned with:
1. Price (compared to the other tires… obviously I’ll try to find the best price on which ever tire I decide to purchase)
2. Performance loss due to tire weight/size.

Now that I've written the above book (sorry guys), here are my questions:

1. What is the biggest tire that will fit a stock 2000 Traxter? Will the 27" Bighorns (since they run a little bigger than advertised) fit on my 2000 Traxter without any modifications (the 2000 Traxter XT came with 26" stock tires, but mine are 25") or should I just get the 26" tires?

2. If I got with the 26" Bighorns, I'd like to get the 14" wheels. Are the 26" Bighorns on 14" wheels the same diameter as the 26" Bighorns on 12" wheels? Seems like I remember reading that the 14" versions are smaller than advertised / smaller than the 12" version.

3. Does anybody know if a 27" Bighorn for a 14" wheel is likely to be produced?

4. Anybody have an experience with the Mudwolfs?

5. I am curious to hear from those of you who have been in mud with the Bighorns (especially Florida type mud).


Thanks for the help!

 

[BATTLEGUN]

Dang Nacho! I can't answer ANY of the questions in relation to your quad, but I can help you a tad with tires I think.

Bighorns (Maxxis for that matter) does not joke around when it comes to tires. If you are more worried about mud I'd stay away from the Bighorns because they are not a "mud" tire. But they do perform well on trials, rocks, and any other situation you can throw at them. I think they just tend to "ball up" in the thick mud and the tread pattern isn't designed for the deep stuff. THEY ARE A GREAT TIRE, but maybe not what your looking for.

On the Mudwolfe, there is a review pending by one of the review crew members, but I don't know much more than they do appear to be a very solid tire well suited for the type of riding you mentioned, but can't remember if they are radial.

Another tire you may consider is the ITP Mudlite XTR. They are a radial tire and have a decent reputation in the mud and trail.

Size, like I said, I don't know anything about your quad, but I do know when you step up to 26" you gain a lot of tread meat.

On the rims, I just purchased my SS108's in black, can't wait to mount them up.

If your looking for a great price on either tires, rims, or a combo click here to email Mike at DicksATV

 

[GRIZZLYWIZARD]

Nacho,

As SARGE just mentioned the Bighorns are a great tire, I just do not think that they will be up to the tasks in which you require. Don't get me wrong the Bighorn is a great tire in most situations. It sounds like the MudWolf tire is better suited for your needs. We are currently reviewing the MudWolf and it has proven to be very versatile in all terrains. It is not a radial, but is is a super tough tire. It is a bit heavier than most.

We are currently reviewing both tires so we can't completely comment on this without letting the cat out of the bag. These are both great tires they just have different job capabilities.

As far as sizes I don't have answers for you. If you know 26" tires will fit that would be the sure bet. 27 inch tires really will only gain and extra 1/2 inch. May or may not make a difference.

 

[Koko]

I'd stick with a 26" tire max. I like the Bighorns, and have found them to be a great tire in all conditions. Of course they are not a mud tire but Scott on teh forum here has posted pictures of some thick gooey stuff he's gone through with them. One thing is for sure, the tread wear is excellent.

 

[Nacho]

Thanks guys... I might just wait for those reviews.

I think I'm still leaning a little more towards the Bighorns. I forgot to mention that until the accident, I've been running on the stock tires/wheels.... LOL... So I've managed ok. I've never really targeted the mud, but it would be nice to not have to be "so careful" like I've had to be with the stock tires. My ATV always ends up being the one pulling the hog/dog trailer since it is basically a tank, so I've had to be pretty careful.

I've read a lot about the XTRs, but decided against them. From what I've read they're ok in the mud especially compared to the Bighorns, but the Bighorns are supposed to be far superior everywhere else.... and running over stumps and stuff in the woods is more important to me than the mud performance. I really want smooth (on hard pack or blacktop) and tough more than mud. I just don't want a completely helpless tire in the mud. The cypress stumps and palmettos are really tough (I sometimes blaze the trail in palmettos that are higher than my head. The weight of the Traxter (and my 225 pounds) just mows them down... that's part of the reason for liking the Bighorns.

My Traxter came with 25" tires, but the XT version came with 26" so I know the 26" tires will fit for sure. I was thinking the 27" tires would give me another full inch of GC. I'm just not sure if they'll fit without modifications. I don't hotrod the machine (cause it can't LOL). It is a 5 speed and AWD, so it is really more of a work horse than anything else. So I'm not jumping it or drag racing.

I was also really wanting the 14" wheel, but the Mudwolfs and 27" Bighorns aren't offered in a 14" wheel size. Then there is the question of whether the 26" BH on the 14" wheel is the same diameter as the 26" BH on the 12" wheel. I've read somewhere that the 26/14s aren't as tall as the 26/12s and that the fronts/rears aren't even the same size... which scares me since my ATV is AWD and I sometimes drive it on the blacktop.

I saw those mud pic's of the BHs... that makes me feel a little better. :toothy10:

Thanks for your help... I'll wait a little longer for the BH and MW reviews. Just tell the reviewers to get the BHs in some mud so we'll know how far they can be pushed!

 

[BATTLEGUN]

Thanks for your help... I'll wait a little longer for the BH and MW reviews. Just tell the reviewers to get the BHs in some mud so we'll know how far they can be pushed!

I don't think you'll have to worry about them finding mud to review the tires with. :evil6: I also agree with your observation on the XTRs vs Bighorns.

 

[Koko]

Nacho,

An inch bigger tire doesn't gain you an inch of ground clearance. You actually only gain half that. The other half of the tire is at the top.

 

[Nacho]

Mine came with 25" tires... I was just saying that the XT model came with 26" tires, so I know they'd fit. If I went with the 27" tires, I'd gain a full inch. Also... if I went with the 14" wheels, I'd be stuck getting the 26" BH tires. Decisions, decisions!

Any ideas on when the reviews will be complete?

 

[Koko]

Gotcha. I thought you were referring to the 26" tire. :icon_thumleft:

I'll have to talk with Review Crew and see if I can find out when the review should be completed.

 

[GRIZZLYWIZARD]

Mine came with 25" tires... I was just saying that the XT model came with 26" tires, so I know they'd fit. If I went with the 27" tires, I'd gain a full inch. Also... if I went with the 14" wheels, I'd be stuck getting the 26" BH tires. Decisions, decisions!

Any ideas on when the reviews will be complete?

The Bighorn review should be completed by middle to end of next month. The MudWolf close to the same time. Winter has set in and we are kind of waiting on some more snow to enable us to do a complete all around review. So far both are very positive though. Keep in mind we will not be comparing the two tires to each other it's strictly independent.

 

[Nacho]

Great... it has been parked since September, so another month won't kill me. Besides... my wife and I just had our second little girl on 1/9, so I won't be going out in the near future.

I didn't figure it would be a heads up comparo. I am looking forward to reading them both! Thanks for everyone's input. :toothy10:

 

[BATTLEGUN]

Great... it has been parked since September, so another month won't kill me. Besides... my wife and I just had our second little girl on 1/9, so I won't be going out in the near future.

I didn't figure it would be a heads up comparo. I am looking forward to reading them both! Thanks for everyone's input. :toothy10:

CONGRATS MAN!!! ccasion14:

 

[Nacho]

Thanks. Cutest little thing... though I am biased LOL

 

[BATTLEGUN]

Thanks. Cutest little thing... though I am biased LOL

I know how you feel bro...

 

[Koko]

Congrats Nacho!!!

 

[GRIZZLYWIZARD]

Congratulations on the new addition!

 

[Nacho]

Any word on the Mudwolf review eta? :toothy10:
Guess you guys will have to get ahold of the Bighorn 2.0s too

 

[Nacho]

I went with the Mudwolfs and SS212s in black. A quick trip around the block and they seemed to ride smooth on pavement. Hopefully I'll be able to get into the woods this weekend. Here are some pics...

 

[BATTLEGUN]

Man! Those meats look like they'll rip through the worst of it! Looks good Nacho. Let us know what you think of those meats.
;;t;;

 

[Koko]

They look great. Very wide! Be prepared to get muddy! You're the first one I've seen with the new wheels from ITP!