P500 Stock rims?

[ncred02]

So after some thought, I'm thinking keeping the stock wheels and just adding bigger tires. My kid made a good point. Why invest in wheels that we are going to beat on?
Don't know who's kid he is but it makes sense.
So what to buy?
Anyone who has done the same with great results give me your opinion.
Thanks

 

[ncred02]

And I'm also concerned that bigger, as in height , may make it more unstable.
Any thought?

 

[p500fan]

As low geared as the P500 is, I'm not sure that it matters so much. I went bigger, with 14" aluminum rims, & cannot see a noticeable power loss. Larger tires also improved steering, as well as giving more ground clearance. I, too, was worried about stability, and ordered wheel spacers to widen my stance if it felt "tippy". I have since put over 200 miles of steep, twisty, loose gravel trails on it, and have sent the unused spacers back to the seller. As for accelerated brake wear, it's a small price to pay for the added benefits gained by installing larger, more durable, and more aggressive tires. Everything has a price.

 

[Code54]

Im running 26's and have right at 12"s of ground clearance so the larger tires really works well for me. As for power I can't say I really notice any difference with the bigger tires, I do like the fact I can clear things I used to drag on.

 

[Code54]

Oh, as for brakes, I really don't think there will be much difference. With the gearing as it is I rarely use my brakes even here in the hills of WV.

 

[p500fan]

I can relate, Code54. I hardly use the brakes when riding. The compression/engine braking is one of the major selling points of these machines. The parking brake is used much more than the brake pedal. Ha!

 

[Geoff]

So after some thought, I'm thinking keeping the stock wheels and just adding bigger tires. My kid made a good point. Why invest in wheels that we are going to beat on?
Don't know who's kid he is but it makes sense.
So what to buy?
Anyone who has done the same with great results give me your opinion.
Thanks

I just installed ITP Terracross tires on my stock rims to try and keep it as close to 50" wide. The front are 26x9x12 and the rears are 26x11x12. Took them on a short 23 mile ride today...had to drop to air pressure to 10 lbs in all tires to make the ride a little smoother....so far so good......

 

[p500fan]

I just installed ITP Terracross tires on my stock rims to try and keep it as close to 50" wide. The front are 26x9x12 and the rears are 26x11x12. Took them on a short 23 mile ride today...had to drop to air pressure to 10 lbs in all tires to make the ride a little smoother....so far so good......

How much wider are you now?

 

[JACKAL]

I'm looking at 26" x 9" 12" Roctane XD's on all four corners of my P500 mounted on stock rims.

 

[Geoff]

How much wider are you now?

from the outside of the rear tires it is 50"which for me meant widening my trailer in order to haul the p500.