Vampire ASX ride quality

[peter_fazio]

Hi,

I want to get some opinions on the ride quality of the Vampire ASX 26x13x12 tires. I have a 1997 Max IV that had a set of Vampire Super Swamper TSL 25x13x9 tires. The Vampire SS 25x13x9 @ 3 psi had a nice ride quality, not harsh riding at all. I was wondering how the Vampire ASX 26x13x12 would compare to those? Is the ride very stiff with the 12 inch wheels at 3 psi ? Does anybody run them at lower pressures ? I am considering getting a set when they become available again because of the good swimming performance, but I do not want to get tires that ride very harshly. Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

thanks,

Pete Fazio

[Mike]

I typically run 2.5PSI in mine. They conform to the terrain well for a tire with such large lugs. To me they ride well but I also have a suspension seat so I don't have a fair means of comparing them to anything else. Overall, I would expect similar ride quality between the two tires you are asking about even with going up to the 12" wheels. I don't think you will be able to tell much of a difference.

[Finn]

Mike, i have been thinking about trying a 6x6. my biggest concern is a rough ride due to back problems i have. what is this suspension seat you are talking about?

[CBass]

Finn,
Here is how Mike has his seat set up. If it wasn't my copilot I would be looking to do the same. Also look around the gallery you will see others with great ideas for taking the bounse out.

[jpswift1]

I have the Vampire ASX's on my Hustler and they give a pretty nice ride for such an aggressive mud tire. I say they're the best all around AATV tire out there. Add in the suspension seat like Mike has, and you'll be set.

[mightymaxIV]

I have run both the 25 inch TSL and the ASX vampires on MaxIV. The TSL's have a very soft side wall and ride very well, the ASX's have a stiffer side wall but still have a pretty good ride as long as you run the pressure about 2 1/2 pounds.
The TSL has a very aggressive 1.25 tread while the ASX has a one inch lug but sits almost 14 inches wide.
I found the TSL lug pattern far to aggressive for an AATV and found myself stuck while Let's Argo Frontier would dig out of the same hole.
The ASX is another story, it is by far the best all around AATV tire I have seen in most conditions.

[peter_fazio]

Dan,

Thank you. That is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Somebody who has run both the Vampire TSL 25x13x9 and the Vampire ASX 26x13x12 on a Max IV. Can you compare the swimming ability of the Vampire TSL and the Vampire ASX on your Max IV ? I found the Vampire TSL on my Max IV to swim, but very slowly. Do the Vampire ASX's swim better ?

thanks,

Pete

[jpswift1]

Yes, the Vampire ASX's swim better than the Vampire TSL.

[mightymaxIV]

Dan,

Thank you. That is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Somebody who has run both the Vampire TSL 25x13x9 and the Vampire ASX 26x13x12 on a Max IV. Can you compare the swimming ability of the Vampire TSL and the Vampire ASX on your Max IV ? I found the Vampire TSL on my Max IV to swim, but very slowly. Do the Vampire ASX's swim better ?

thanks,

Pete

I would guess the swim speed of a TSL on a MaxIV to be about 1.25 MPH, you have to ease on the gas and let the tires paddle, your cannot run them at full speed.

My Best Guess for the ASX tires on a MaxIV is about 1.5 to 1.75 mph, with an ASX you can run the engine at about half speed but turning should be done by shifting your weight left or right. You can turn ASX with the sticks but the turning is not precise. Keep in mind that the ASX tires swim a little different on every machine, my experience is with a MaxIV, also keep in mind that an ASX tire on a 12" steel rim weighs almost 50 pounds so it takes some power to turn those bad boys in the mud. I have run my ASX tires in a lake with a passenger but every thing works better with a single pilot and with just one person the swim speed is reasonable.