[creed82]

Howdy friends,

You've all been nagging for a while that it's time to get new tires on my 2016 Honda Rancher 4x4 DCT EPS. My factory rears still have some life left in them, so I put a new pair of Bearclaws on the front, in size 25"x8"-12, ordered from Rocky Mountain ATV. I measured my outside tire diameter with a strap, and with 5.5 psi rear and 4.5 psi front, my outside diameters front/rear are in sync. In another two or three months I'll put some new Bearclaws on the rear.

The Rancher spent the entire weekend entertaining my extended family, so I put the new tires on for safety sake prior to the 4th of July family get-together.

I can already say I feel the added bite/claw of the new front tires. I've been able to climb a few hills in 4x4 with 1st gear low-speed, that prior I had to hit 2nd or 3rd gear 4x4 high-speed. Overall, I'm impressed with these tires. Also, as usual, very impressed with Rocky Mountain ATV.

ALSO! I checked my front alignment. It was 3/4" toed in. So I adjusted it to 5/8" toed out in the front. Wow, it made a difference in the feel and handling. Much improved.

 

[SamUK]

I had bearclaws all round on my 300 when I got it, they were 40% worn but still a great all round tyre IMO. They look quite good too.
Now you've set your alignment so you find you get a tighter turning circle? As I use my 300 mainly at off-road parks I set it to tow out, I forget how much now, if you fiddle with it you can get a great increase in turning circle.
Not sure how much I went tow out though, also, not sure how it would handle at speed set like that and as per your awesome videos, you do a lot of miles at steady speeds. Might be worth a try though.

 

[mac102004]

better than mudlite at's

 

[alloutdoors]

Looks great and look forward to some comments after a little seat time, ?

 

[_Wilson_]

better than mudlite at's

What about xls ? :grin

 

[SamUK]

I think you opted for a great tyre considering the terrain you ride on, to aggressive on dry loose ground and roads often leads to less overall traction.

 

[creed82]

better than mudlite at's

That's what I'm hoping for.

 

[creed82]

I had bearclaws all round on my 300 when I got it, they were 40% worn but still a great all round tyre IMO. They look quite good too.
Now you've set your alignment so you find you get a tighter turning circle? As I use my 300 mainly at off-road parks I set it to tow out, I forget how much now, if you fiddle with it you can get a great increase in turning circle.
Not sure how much I went tow out though, also, not sure how it would handle at speed set like that and as per your awesome videos, you do a lot of miles at steady speeds. Might be worth a try though.

I had noticed my steering felt a little "twitchy" or nervous at higher speed as of late. I was also getting an odd side to side wobble, not drastic but noticeable, going down the road around 35mph, even with the new tires.

Both went away with the slight toe-out. I'll give this a try for a while. Haven't noticed yet how it affected my turn radius, but it hasn't been a problem, so I expect I'm good.

 

[creed82]

Looks great and look forward to some comments after a little seat time, ?

Thanks! You got it!

 

[creed82]

better than mudlite at's

What about xls ? :grin

Thumbs up. I like the Mud Lite XL a lot - at least on paper. I will likely give those a try next set of tires, say in another 18-24 months, depending on how long the Bearclaws last.

 

[creed82]

I think you opted for a great tyre considering the terrain you ride on, to aggressive on dry loose ground and roads often leads to less overall traction.

Time will tell, but so far they feel fantastic. I'm really interested to see how it handles with the new rears that will be here this week. (somebody on Youtube bought me a set tonight .

I am used to a certain amount of slide with the factory tires. I had no complaints there. But I'm anticipating a different handling characteristic with this new rubber.

 

[SamUK]

I had bearclaws all round on my 300 when I got it, they were 40% worn but still a great all round tyre IMO. They look quite good too.
Now you've set your alignment so you find you get a tighter turning circle? As I use my 300 mainly at off-road parks I set it to tow out, I forget how much now, if you fiddle with it you can get a great increase in turning circle.
Not sure how much I went tow out though, also, not sure how it would handle at speed set like that and as per your awesome videos, you do a lot of miles at steady speeds. Might be worth a try though.

I had noticed my steering felt a little "twitchy" or nervous at higher speed as of late. I was also getting an odd side to side wobble, not drastic but noticeable, going down the road around 35mph, even with the new tires.

Both went away with the slight toe-out. I'll give this a try for a while. Haven't noticed yet how it affected my turn radius, but it hasn't been a problem, so I expect I'm good.

I set my alignment specifically to give me a tighter turning circle due to where I ride and using a trailer 90% of the time at work, it has helped a lot. I haven't used it at any speed on tarmac(asphalt) though so it could get a little interesting. I seem to remember it was two and a half full turns out from the FSM setting. I have had the odd occasion where it wants to stay turned when decelerating though. << remember that, I don't want to cause you any injuries!
I don't suppose a tighter turning radius is that critical for most though.

 

[creed82]

I had bearclaws all round on my 300 when I got it, they were 40% worn but still a great all round tyre IMO. They look quite good too.
Now you've set your alignment so you find you get a tighter turning circle? As I use my 300 mainly at off-road parks I set it to tow out, I forget how much now, if you fiddle with it you can get a great increase in turning circle.
Not sure how much I went tow out though, also, not sure how it would handle at speed set like that and as per your awesome videos, you do a lot of miles at steady speeds. Might be worth a try though.

I had noticed my steering felt a little "twitchy" or nervous at higher speed as of late. I was also getting an odd side to side wobble, not drastic but noticeable, going down the road around 35mph, even with the new tires.

Both went away with the slight toe-out. I'll give this a try for a while. Haven't noticed yet how it affected my turn radius, but it hasn't been a problem, so I expect I'm good.

I set my alignment specifically to give me a tighter turning circle due to where I ride and using a trailer 90% of the time at work, it has helped a lot. I haven't used it at any speed on tarmac(asphalt) though so it could get a little interesting. I seem to remember it was two and a half full turns out from the FSM setting. I have had the odd occasion where it wants to stay turned when decelerating though. << remember that, I don't want to cause you any injuries!
I don't suppose a tighter turning radius is that critical for most though.

I second the motion for no injuries.

 

[mac102004]

better than mudlite at's

What about xls ? :grin

XL's are probably better for the first bit, then they start tearing the tips of the lugs off and and leaking like a screen door in a submarine, so after that the Bearclaw wins lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rustynut2]

I'm using the same tires on mine. Good solid tire without the extra $. I did upgrade to the 12in rear's, bought new rims from Honda.

 

[_Wilson_]

better than mudlite at's

What about xls ? :grin

XL's are probably better for the first bit, then they start tearing the tips of the lugs off and and leaking like a screen door in a submarine, so after that the Bearclaw wins lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mac ...... Your just too hard on tires, lol, what kind of terrain do y'all ride on ? ? ? ?

Any pics ?

 

[mac102004]

What about xls ? :grin

XL's are probably better for the first bit, then they start tearing the tips of the lugs off and and leaking like a screen door in a submarine, so after that the Bearclaw wins lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mac ...... Your just too hard on tires, lol, what kind of terrain do y'all ride on ? ? ? ?

Any pics ?

A lot of old railbeds, and mud/snow/muskeg/rocks/sand etc. You name it we have it.

I had lots of pics but photobucket did away with their 3rd party hosting so I'm pretty well hooped for posting pictures.

 

[_Wilson_]

Oh okay, um yeah I've noticed some of. The pics of other members disappearing ? I've been wandering what was up with that..... Hopefully some one will have a fix soon, had some really great pics gone......

 

[SamUK]

Oh okay, um yeah I've noticed some of. The pics of other members disappearing ? I've been wandering what was up with that..... Hopefully some one will have a fix soon, had some really great pics gone......

Ease of uploading photos is exactly why I use my iPhone, it's a pain in the butt having to upload to file sharing sites.

 

[_Wilson_]

Uh hu ^^^^^^ agreed, see how the changes messed up some really great pics, makes me angry, if ain't broke don't tinker with it!