Anyways, I think it is time to upgrade the wheels/tires. I think I know which wheels I would like to get, the STI HD Beadlock 12×7 rims. Why you ask? Well, I rolled one of the stock tires off the rim on the trail the other day and I was not happy about it, it was near dark and that was no fun! So I figure maybe these will help. The big question I have is on the tires. Stock are:
Maxxis AT 25×10-12 rear on 12×7.5 rim
Maxxis AT 25×8-12 front on 12×6.0 rim
They have been OK tires, but have quite a few slices in the surface rubber of the tires and it concerns me. They are about half worn out. They have done alright on most terrains I have been on, they only seem to have problems on damp tree roots.
I live in Oregon, and we have a bit of everything here and I go all over the state to ride. The only thing I don’t ride in is sand. I’ve had it up to the cargo rack in mud, loose shale type rock, light mud, loose dirt, crawling logs and larger rocks. So I really need a good, durable all-around tire that will wear well. Many of the parks out here have some pavement and it seems to eat rubber. My stock rims are beat to crap from rocks and tree root balls, so I would want something that offers some sidewall protection and not be so prone to getting surface slices in the tread of the tires. I understand that going with a wider tire on something like a 7" wide rim will help with that? I also do not really like the look of having those little dinky tires on the front, so should I do the same width tire front and rear, or just slightly smaller width tire in front, but wider than the stock tire? I do want to stick around the stock diameter of tire because I don’t want to mess with lift kits or clutch weights right now.
Help, and thanks! :gcrules:
