ATV & UTV Tire Buyers Guide

ATV & UTV Tire Buyers Guide

The ATVTorture Crew has been able to test many different tire types. With this article we are going to attempt to show you some of the good points and bad of the tires we have tested to date.

Upgrading your tires can make a world of difference in the handling and performance of your ATV. Additionally, aftermarket tires are much more durable that the OEM tires your machine came equipped with.

Since we purchase most of our tires from Dicks ATV due to their excellent customer service we’ll try to cover the tires in which they carry.


<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber1" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="50%"> </td> <td width="50%"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%"> </td> <td width="50%"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="50%"> Baja proven to handle the toughest and heaviest UTV applications. 8-ply rating and 25% stronger construction has produced our most rugged, durable tire yet! Extended-life rubber compound and innovative overlapping tread pattern provides a smooth, predictable ride as well as slow wear characteristics — this is the highest-mileage tire ITP has ever produced! Stepped lugs provide consistent tread edges as the tire wears, for predictable performance throughout the long life of the tire. Advanced carcass design delivers the most comfortable, trail-compliant tire available. Wraparound lugs provide improved shoulder protection.
</td> <td valign="top" width="50%"> Specially-designed 14-inch sizes make the TerraCross R/T the new standard in utility vehicle (Mule, Rhino) trail tires. Radial construction offers a much smoother ride and greater overall control, enhancing operator confidence. Surprisingly light in weight; you won't find a lighter 14-inch tire/wheel combo anywhere. 6-ply construction provides unmatched durability. </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="50%">Price Range: $107.95 – $128.95 </td> <td valign="top" width="50%">Price Range: $100.95 – $133.95
Editors note: The TerraCross tires perform excellent in the majority of terrains. However, we found that they do tend to wear a little faster than most and during our testing we found they were more prone to side-wall punctures.
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<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber2" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="50%"> </td> <td width="50%"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%"> </td> <td width="50%"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="50%">The industry's first Extreme Terrain RADIAL tire! Super-aggressive tread design features 1 1/8-in. deep, angled, grooved lugs to achieve an exceptional level of traction. Radial construction means the Mud Lite XTR rides smoothly and finds more traction than a bias-ply tire because of a larger contact patch. A radial tire's footprint actually grows under load!</td> <td valign="top" width="50%">Absolutely the lightest high-performance mud & snow tire on the market today. Lighter weight means less horsepower loss compared to our competitor's tires, easier steering and reduced wear and tear on your drivetrain! Wide-open, extra-deep 2-stage 11/8-in. lug and super-aggressive, self-cleaning tread pattern for unmatched traction and handling when the going gets extreme! Extra-rugged 6-ply construction means this tire is incredibly durable as well as capable</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="50%">Price Range: $116.95 – $152.95
Editors note: These tires performed exceptionally well in every type of terrain.
</td> <td valign="top" width="50%">Price Range: $81.95 – $115.95
Editors note: These are a great all around tire. A slightly rougher ride but they are long wearing and durable.
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<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber3" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="50%"> </td> <td width="50%"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%"> </td> <td width="50%"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="50%">Revolutionary all-conditions tire: it's a 6-ply mud tire that's designed for the trail, a trail tire that slings mud with the best of them! Cutting-edge technology, all-around performance and long-distance durability come together in one unbeatable, affordable package! </td> <td valign="top" width="50%">The Mudlite XL has the same features of the Mudlight XT however they have a deeper 1 1/8" lug depth/</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="50%">Price Range: $59.95 – $78.95
Editors note: Very affordable tire, lighter weight works great for smaller machines.
</td> <td valign="top" width="50%">Price Range: $70.95 – $123.95
Editors note: While the Mudlite tires are great for the budget mined, they tend to wear quick and are more prone to sidewall puncures
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<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber4" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" height="351" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td height="19" width="50%"> </td> <td height="19" width="50%"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td height="250" width="50%"> </td> <td height="250" width="50%"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td height="48" valign="top" width="50%"> Bighorn Radial- Radial construction offers a significantly smoother ride over rough trails. Extra lugs on the shoulder protect the sidewall and rim. Raised white lettering on one side. Tire is suitable for desert, dirt, and rock application. </td> <td height="48" valign="top" width="50%"> Bighorn 2.0- Lightweight version that mimics the tread of the orignal Bighorn Radial, but with a slimmer profile and shorter tread which creates a much lighter tire. Radial construction provides better shock absorption. The non-directional pattern provides predictable cornering and claws up roots and rocks, creating optimum climbing confidence. 6-ply rating</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="31" valign="top" width="50%">Price Range: $92.99 – $114.99
Editors note: Extremely Durable, long wearing are trademarks of the Maxxis Bighorn.
</td> <td height="31" valign="top" width="50%">Price Range: $93.99 – $104.99 </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber5" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" height="384" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td align="center" height="16" width="50%"> </td> <td align="center" height="16" width="50%">Maxxis Mudzilla</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="250" width="50%"> </td> <td height="250" width="50%"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td height="96" valign="top" width="50%">Based on the proven Maxxis Mudzilla tread design. Increased center tread provides a smooth ride on the trails. Great traction combined with excellent braking characteristics and very predictable high-speed performance. Very lightweight, yet durable 6-ply rating allows for quicker acceleration while maintaining Maxxis' legendary durability</td> <td height="96" valign="top" width="50%">These tires feature raised outline white lettering. Massive tread bars give maximum traction in mud. Specifically designed tread pattern constructed to flex more in mud accumulating areas. 6-ply rating for worry-free puncture resistance. Tire offers rim guard for maximum wheel protection.</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="19" width="50%">Price Range: $62.96 - $114.95</td> <td height="19" width="50%">Price Range: $114.95 - 152.95</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber6" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td align="center" width="50%">GBC Grim Reaper</td> <td width="50%"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" width="50%">

</td> <td width="50%"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="50%">Grim Reaper combines an aggressive tread pattern with deep wrap-around shoulder lugs to give you uncompromising performance and traction. This new 8-ply rated all-terrain radial is constructed with a zig-zag center ridgeline, for superior puncture resistance and enhanced rider comfort. GBC Motorsports carries a wide line of performance ATV tires for all types of terrains and riders. </td> <td valign="top" width="50%">GBC Motorsports Performance ATV tires are built to get you over tough terrains to your destination. Dirt Commander, GBC's new all terrain tire, is a super tough 8-ply rated bias ATV tire that gives you excellent puncture resistance. The Dirt Commander's siped tread design also gives additional biting edges for better traction in all terrains. </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%">Price Range: $94.95 - $133.95</td> <td width="50%">Price Range: $94.95 - $129.95
Editors note: The Dirt Commanders tires handle much like the ITP Terra Cross; however the 8 ply construction makes this tire a bit more durable.
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<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber7" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td align="center" width="50%"> </td> <td align="center" width="50%">GBC Dirt Devil</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%"> </td> <td width="50%"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%">Spartacus is a new performance ATV tire specifically designed to conquer mud and other tough terrains. You can be confident because Spartacus' aggressive tread design delivers superior traction while the radial 8-ply rated carcass construction puts more rubber on the ground for a larger footprint and a smoother, more comfortable ride.
</td> <td width="50%">The DIRT DEVIL, GBC's best selling ATV tire of all time. Its original directional tread design was developed to provide exceptional traction in dirt, gravel, hard pack, and light mud terrains. Each lug is dimpled with more biting edges for better traction, and reinforced for a more stable and durable footprint. Built with a 6-ply rated carcass, the DIRT DEVIL also provides superior durability and puncture resistance.</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%">Price Range: $94.95 - $129.95</td> <td width="50%">Price Range: $52.95 - $89.95</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
These are some of Dick's ATV best selling tires. We have also had a chance to gain experience with these tires. Unless noted, we have had good experience with the the above mentioned tires. Prices reflect averages we found from various retail locations.

We will periodically update this list with additions so keep checking back often.