Big Tires that Swim Great!!??

[trevorakm1]

this is a great example of this site and the community here. tires are such a big cost that i know for myself i don't have the cash to try out multiple types and have to make a choice of just one with all the best attributes to meet my personal needs. i'ld like to thank all the more experienced guys, jpswift, mudbug to name a few for sharing. i just replaced the tires on my bigfoot last year and went with the goodyear rawhide 3's like original but will search this thread when i need new again. the more uf us that can contribute to this thread the better as we all know that different aatv's perform differently with a variety of tires.

[mudbug3]

Trevorakm1 ( QUOTE ) ' This is a great example of this site and the community here. tires are such a big cost that i know for myself i don't have the cash to try out multiple types and have to make a choice of just one with all the best attributes to meet my personal needs. '


Not knowing how an atv tire performs in the water can really be a costly proposition as other forum members and myself have found out searching for the best over all mud and swimming tire.

[fmints]

I'm over to Cbass' house later to take a dive in the local pond to really see how the 26x12x12 Mudbugs swims, but I was only successful swimming backwards with the 4 rears turned backwards. I was in a 7x4 foot ditch, if that matters much. I think that Mudbug3 told me that the mudbugs have to all be going forward for the best swimming,, so I'm going to prove his theory again. BUT THE MUDDING OF THIS TIRE ROCKS! IT MUDS, CLIMBS AND DIGS VERY WELL. Kinda rough riding but a great tire so far!!

[mudbug3]

When my friend Lee was running the Mud bug tires on his Argo Frontier 6x6 he tried them with the tire lugs facing forwards and backwards, but his best water speed came from running all of the Mud Bug tires facing forward and in the traction position. Because most atv mud tires don't have a chevron tread pattern like the Good Year Terra tire or a curved lug pattern like the Carlisle tires that come on the new Argo's, its the curved lug pattern that helps an atv mud tire swim. The is why running an atv mud tire with the curved lugs facing forward and in the traction position helps them swim better because the curved lugs are then able to scoop the water. What applies to a tire made for AATV's does'nt apply to a tire made for ATV's

[fmints]

When my friend Lee was running the Mud bug tires on his Argo Frontier 6x6 he tried them with the tire lugs facing forwards and backwards, but his best water speed came from running all of the Mud Bug tires facing forward and in the traction position. Because most atv mud tires don't have a chevron tread pattern like the Good Year Terra tire or a curved lug pattern like the Carlisle tires that come on the new Argo's, its the curved lug pattern that helps an atv mud tire swim. The is why running an atv mud tire with the curved lugs facing forward and in the traction position helps them swim better because the curved lugs are then able to scoop the water. What applies to a tire made for AATV's does'nt apply to a tire made for ATV's

It's proven yet again,,, the Maxxis Mudbug tire does swim. They are not a fast swimming tire, but it moves fairly ok, let's say about 2-3 mph, which is phenomenal considering the traction that the tires have in the mud. THANKS A MILLION,,,, Mudbug3 for the advice. Now all I have to do is do a few more things to the engine (gaskets) and I should be sitting good.

[jpswift1]

Good to hear that, Fred. Did you mount them with all of the treads facing forward to get them to swim the best?

[fmints]

Good to hear that, Fred. Did you mount them with all of the treads facing forward to get them to swim the best?

Yup, they are all facing forward. These tires are directional, got a lil rotation arrow on them,, cuts out any guess work of where the forward position is.

[mudbug3]

Fred

Could you post a video of your Hustler 980 swimming in the water with the Mud Bug tires on it. This would give the forum members a good idea as to how well the Mud Bug tires swim on a Hustler 980.

[kghills]

Anyone know of an aggressive tire in the 27"-30" range that might look to be a good swimmer? Looking for something bigger than the 26" Vampire ASX for my Max IV to try since I have more room now.

Keith.

[jpswift1]

The center to center axle spacing on a Max IV so I'm pretty sure you won't let you go any bigger than a 27" tire I believe. And you might even have to heat and reform the tub to fit some 27's. You aren't going to find a better tire than the Vampire ASX for the mud and in the water, but unfortunately they discontinued them (for now at least).

[fmints]

Fred

Could you post a video of your Hustler 980 swimming in the water with the Mud Bug tires on it. This would give the forum members a good idea as to how well the Mud Bug tires swim on a Hustler 980.

Sure thing Dave, the first opportunity that I get, I will but its not looking like i will until this weekend.

Hey I need a few photos from you if you don't mind. I sent you a pm. Thanks in advance

[kghills]

The center to center axle spacing on a Max IV so I'm pretty sure you won't let you go any bigger than a 27" tire I believe. And you might even have to heat and reform the tub to fit some 27's. You aren't going to find a better tire than the Vampire ASX for the mud and in the water, but unfortunately they discontinued them (for now at least).

Has anyone tried the GBC Gator tires? GBC Gator Atv Tires I am told they run a bit small. I know I could fit a 27x12x12s without the centers and rears touching each other and maybe a 28x12x12. Tub clearance is not an issue for my Max IV. Here is a shot of them compared to the Super Terras and ASX Vampires.

Keith.

[fmints]

Hey Keith, I haven't heard of anyone using them, but I would pm Mudbug3 about the tire. He has lots of info on tires and their capabilities. He helped me in my decision when i got my Maxxis Mudbugs, which look very similiar to the Gators. I'm pleased with my tires so far climbing, mudding and swimming!

[mudbug3]

The Gators tires hardly move in the water facing forward or backwards. I was able to make them swim though with Gator tires facing forward and in the max traction position if I locked my throttle down with a rubber band , stood up in tub of my Max IV ,and rocked the roll bar side to side. This made the Gator tires come out of the water a little and also to scoop the water too. I was then able to make the Max IV swim straight across a pond at about 1.5 mph. The Gators are exellent in the mud too.

[kghills]

The Gators tires hardly move in the water facing forward or backwards. I was able to make them swim though with Gator tires facing forward and in the max traction position if I locked my throttle down with a rubber band , stood up in tub of my Max IV ,and rocked the roll bar side to side. This made the Gator tires come out of the water a little and also to scoop the water too. I was then able to make the Max IV swim straight across a pond at about 1.5 mph. The Gators are exellent in the mud too.

That really seems odd to me given that they swim good on a Max II and the Mud Bug tire is said to be a copy of them and Mud Bugs seem to work good on the Max IV. I just really do not have a handle on this. I am wondering how fast the Super Terra Grips actually are. I will need to GPS them I guess.

Thanks, Keith.