J
I am looking to get some advice on upgrading my tires (and possibly wheels). I started searching for a better tire for my needs after suffering some punctures with the stock Maxxis Bighorn 2.0s on a recent hunting trip . I primarily ride on logging roads and trails in northern and western Maine, depending on the time of year there may be some mud/snow riding as well. There tends to be a good bit of slate and shale on the roads so I am looking to step up to a 10-ply tire. I am not necessarily concerned by a drop in top speed or acceleration due to heavier tires (I tend to take it pretty easy on the throttle), but am worried about the long term strain on the drivetrain. As much as possible I would like to avoid changing the stock geometry as to not put additional stress on the machine. After doing some research and reading some old posts on this forum I think I have landed on the STI X Comp ATR tire (28 / 10 R14). Currently I have the stock 14" rims that come with the 2021 1000-5 deluxe model. I was hoping to get some advice on a few questions before pulling the trigger:
- Would 28 / 10 R14 tires fit on the stock wheels or would I need to purchase a new set?
- If I do need a new set would 5+2 offset be the proper spec to run on all 4 corners with a 1" spacer in the rear? How much would running this setup add to the width of the machine? Is there a better option for offsets to maintain factory width and avoid the need for spacers (6+1 in front with 5x2 in rear...just guessing here)?
- Are there any clearance/rubbing issues to be aware of when moving up from the stock tires to the 28" tires? Would the stock rims or a new set with proper offset make this any better or worse?
- Would beadlock rims be worth the extra $ so that I could run the tires at lower PSI to compensate for the impact a stiffer sidewall would have on the ride quality?
- How hard would the additional tire weight/height be on the drivetrain?
- It there another solution to my problem that I am not thinking of (better tire / wheel combo)?
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