Wheel and tire size question...

[mga]

My 2000 big bear 400 4x4 has 26x10x12 tires in front and 26x12x12 in the rears. Trying to find replacement tires those sizes are hard to find, or, when i do, they cost a lot more than i want to spend.

But, there's a lot of 25" tires out there the same size, just 25" and not 26". If i got the 25" it should not make a difference....right?

[Gwbarm]

The 25 is the size that came on it so you are good, back to specs. The 26 on the Big Bear would make me kind of nervous they seem top heavy anyway, height vs width. So good choice.

[mga]

On 10/22/2024 at 1:03 PM, Gwbarm said:

The 25 is the size that came on it so you are good, back to specs. The 26 on the Big Bear would make me kind of nervous they seem top heavy anyway, height vs width. So good choice.

as always, excellent advice...  thanks!!!!

i should add you're right about it being unstable. When on a hill, i had a couple of times when it wanted to tip over! I had to dismount on the right side.

I'll definitely go with the 25's. 

Edited October 23, 2024 by mga

[Mech]

Gw's onto it !

[mga]

ha.....stupid me....got my new tires and i thought i could change them by hand....lol....that didn't happen.

 

I'll bring them to a dealer.  They aren't like lawn mower tires!

[Gwbarm]

They can be difficult, quad tires are stiffer and harder to get on, the new ones go on better than the old ones come off. With age they get harder with not much flex. I have used c clamps to break the bead on old ones to get them off  and if that didnt work drive the car over the tire to break the bead, and sometimes have to cut the old ones off. With all that being said its a lot of work, taking to a dealer with the right equipment is money well spent. 

[Mech]

I had to take my last set of tyres to the shop to get them to seat them on the rims. I can break beads and get any tyre off (up to tractor ), and back on with just my six inch tyre lever I made for my bike tool kit fifty years ago. That's just a matter of technique. But the last set of tyres were too narrow to touch the rims and no matter what tricks I tried I could no get them to inflate. My son told me the bike shop had a twenty pound lpg cylinder with a big wide thin nozzle on it that they slip between the rim and tyre and then discharge and it blows the tyre out almost like an explosion.. And he was right ! The lpg cylinder had some trick discharge valve that emptied the cylinder in about a second.

They got them seated in a few minutes after I'd struggled and cursed for about two hours the day before. I think that I'll just be paying them the few bucks when the rears are due, and as a mech, I hate having to do that !  Haha.

[mga]

all done!  although he charged me $15 each wheel, which i gladly paid. Trying to stretch stiff rubber that feels like an inch thick is impossible.

But, i handles much better with new tires. The shop i went to works on those rock climbing machines, but, it's like 1/2 a mile away. Guy told me if i ever need parts to come see him first and he'll see what he can do for me..

[Gwbarm]

You will have to post some photos, which tires did you end up going with.

[Mech]

Good one. They also have bead sealer which helps stop slow leaks if the rims are rusty.

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[mga]

18 hours ago, Gwbarm said:

You will have to post some photos, which tires did you end up going with.

First, let me explain i only use this atv around the yard and to travel up and down the steep hill out back. I also pull logs out from the trees that i cut down. So, any top of the line tires aren't important for what i use it for. With that, these are the tires i put on. I mistakenly ordered the wrong treads for the front tires. When i asked the guy who mounted them if i should return them he said no because they have better pulling power and the steering will be much easier. He was right 100%. I noticed the rock buggies in his garage also had the same tread style as my front tires. If you saw the hill i have to drive up and down, you'd understand.

Those tires made a world of difference when turning in a tight spot. so, kinda glad i mistakenly bought them. As to where i bought them.....lol....don't laugh...off Temu! But, they are warehoused here in the states.

 

[Gwbarm]

Those tires look great, real beefy looking i like them. Nothing wrong with Temu i have actually been impressed with a lot of stuff i have gotten from them. I only asked because i am looking at buying a set right now, i have been looking at Kenda Beaar Claw and Sun F, i will now look at these. Thanks for the info.

[mga]

i few years ago i bought SUN F for my Case garden tractor. They have been flawless and i have never had a problem with them. They have the same tread design as the front tires in those pics