Kenda Bear Claw EX or Kenda Bear Claw K299 Tires

[Gwbarm]

Has anyone used either of these tires and whats your evaluation good, bad or other.

[jen]

Great inquiry i will follow this.  I am looking for another set of rims and tires for non mud back road cruising.   I have mud Maxxis.  They are really good in W Va deep yellow mud

[Gwbarm]

Response from Kenda:

 

Hi there, thank you for reaching out to Kenda!

Both the Bear Claw K299 and Bear Claw EX K573 are great choices, but given your specific needs, here's how they compare:

Bear Claw K299 : link here: https://powersports.kendatire.com/en-us/find-a-tire/atvutv/utility-utv/bearclaw/
 

• -Best for general all-terrain use
  -Strong traction in mud, loose dirt, and moderate snow
  -6-ply rating – durable and puncture-resistant
  -Classic, time-tested design with aggressive tread

Pros for you:
 

• Works well in the woods and on uneven terrain
• Good for towing due to solid grip and durability

Cons for you:
 

• Not as smooth on paved surfaces
• Slightly less grip on steeper inclines compared to the K573

Bear Claw EX K573 : link here: https://powersports.kendatire.com/en-us/find-a-tire/atvutv/utility-utv/bearclaw-ex/

-More aggressive tread design for better grip
-Better on hills due to deeper lugs
-6-ply rating – stronger sidewalls, better for towing
-Improved self-cleaning tread pattern for mud and wet conditions

Pros for you:
 

• Handles hills and inclines better
• More stability when towing a loaded trailer
• Slightly smoother ride on mixed terrain, including pavement

Cons for you:
 

• Slightly heavier than the K299

Final Recommendation

Since you'll be using your ATV for towing firewood, navigating hills, and riding on both pavement and off-road, the Bear Claw EX K573 is the better choice. It offers more stability, better grip on inclines, and a smoother ride on mixed surfaces. However, if budget is a concern and you're mostly on flatter terrain, the K299 is still a solid option.

We thank you for your questions, and recommend asking a local dealership for your Kenda tire purchases.


 

 

[jen]

I was looking at the Maxxis BigHorn  (I like that name) vs the Kenda.   The bighorn is less mud friendly than what I have now but smoother on the Road.

They are more expensive vs the Kenda.  

The Kenda have a "Rim Guard"  ...don't have a clue as to what that is..

[Gwbarm]

Maxxis are great tires but you are right very expensive thats what i have on my Big Bear. The rim guard is an extra thick sidewall to help with sidewall punctures and also helps keep debris from getting into the rim and deflating tires.

[Gwbarm]

I just ordered the Kenda Bearclaw EX as per Kendas recommendation good price on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RQW1RFD?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I also looked at the Maxxis Bighorn very nice tire really like the tread design looks very similar to the SunF 

https://www.amazon.com/Maxxis-BigHorn-Radial-25x8-12-25x10-12/dp/B00EDNO3V2/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2NN0G6J24MHPG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._5lRjgfwfhPXgSh035Dq1fk182IV0SX-L01PkawIQhGcEjiCP8l9tNwGRdFidc2fEDbe0Mjv65YlbVN7TQfS4-iLp-dyWpQR8SYdQ_XSMbbSRDAWCxGqdQ66fqy5jDHUmrkavQO9mMQa9IHrSTE44NoiQisqtIGQON3NOCaoNa3zWCtA-d478F9t91KEQpSnlXapXGNrFmGPNrDww-JPMyRdFADuDs01IpphFNt0yS2u87G5RWHHLCR6QnJIqhfZc1A-6MXzDi61hcuk6JNGF8nn-GIzDjuN2Dgja06uRT8.-_JHpY2YLslDeF3Hi2RVx6LlI88T7d9nJh6leoypMMk&dib_tag=se&keywords=maxxis+big+horn&qid=1753376231&sprefix=%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-6

 

Its really hard to justify paying more for tires than i paid for the whole bike, if these Kendas will just hold air which my current ones do not i will be happy, very good price for a name brand tire. 

I usually get tires mounted at a tire dealer but this time im going to do it myself with a Harbour Freight tire changer for several reasons, changing tires has gotten very expensive 20-40 per tire and they really arent very happy that you didnt buy their tires, also i need to paint my rims while they are off, i have thought of every option and the best way is do it while the tire is off, so that will have to happen after i take the tire off the rim. I hate changing tires they always fight me but will see how it goes.

[jen]

You know what is better than the Harbor Freight Tire changer?  My cousin's husband that just bought a  brand new pneumatic Job-r-do!...LOL  I always keep him supplied in wine. 

BTW..".Job-r-do" is a construction hillbilly phrase that covers a variety of tools and gadgets...

[Gwbarm]

Im sure the Harbour Freight one is on the lower end of the list for quality equipment but it does seem to work well for a manual changer at its price point plus i may not ever use it again. A pneumatic one would certainly be better. Whats the price on that one i couldnt find it online.

[WeeBee]

I just looked at my ATV tires ,they are the Kenda Bear Claw very similar to the K299 tread design purchased in 2023 from Dennis Kirk w/Free Shipping to my door. Very good Allround tread pattern showing hardly any wear. Been ran on pavement,snow ,gravel ,clay ,etc.

[Gwbarm]

Thanks for the info just checked they dont have my size.

[jen]

I think Danny, my cousin in law, got his from amazon.  It probably was the 2.0 Hp Katol .  Knowing Danny as their commercial has a video of very pretty girl in yoga pants changing a tire.

maybe $1.3K.   It's worth as the whole 'Clan' will use it.  Farm people.

[mikeexplorer]

On 7/24/2025 at 12:00 PM, jen said:

I was looking at the Maxxis BigHorn  (I like that name) vs the Kenda.   The bighorn is less mud friendly than what I have now but smoother on the Road.

They are more expensive vs the Kenda.  

The Kenda have a "Rim Guard"  ...don't have a clue as to what that is..

The rim guard is shown in your picture as the band around the tire to protect the rim from rocks. If you look at the rims on my machine, I don't have them.

I bought this machine back in June and came with the Kendra tires, Better then the normal stock tires, but this is the "LTD" version of the Alterra so they come with better tires. (Normally the stock tires suck) They seem to be ok, but they are a bit rough and noisy on roads. I normally use Maxxis Bighorns on my other quads and although they are more expensive, I have found them to last the longest. I typically get over 6,000 miles from a set of Bighorns. 

[jen]

Did not know that.. I like those tires. They appear to have a center ridge that would make them better on roads. I need a second set of rims with road tires for the SXS.  The ATV I want aggresiive mud, steep hill side taction....How interchangeable at rims...i'll need to get a bolt /center hole measurement.

Nice, rugged looking machine...No passenger seat? ... LOL

[Gwbarm]

Just got my Bear Claws in, if you look closely there are 4 tires there all squashed up and out of shape, these should be fun mounting. I elected to mount them myself so i can take my time and paint the rims while they are off, or i may check into getting them powdercoated  still trying to decide on the color the originals are gray. 

 

 

[jen]

12 inch tires are hard to mount.. Alloy rims ??   

[Gwbarm]

My biggest concern is getting the old ones off, they are original to the quad and have been on there 20+ years plus old rubber is not very stretchy, and all the slime that has been put in there just since i have had it just to roll it around. Maybe regrets later but im going to give it a try. I take pride in doing everything for myself. 

[jen]

So you have a Bead breaker?  Or put a 6x6 on it and drive on it..

[mikeexplorer]

On 7/27/2025 at 6:08 AM, jen said:

Did not know that.. I like those tires. They appear to have a center ridge that would make them better on roads. I need a second set of rims with road tires for the SXS.  The ATV I want aggresiive mud, steep hill side taction....How interchangeable at rims...i'll need to get a bolt /center hole measurement.

Nice, rugged looking machine...No passenger seat? ... LOL

No need for one, my girl has her own machine to drive.

[jen]

What's her name?  She should post on this forum. We need more female input.  

Send more pics...What are the "things on your Machine?  Second rider seat ??

[jen]

BTW  the tread on her ATV would "load up" in the yellow clay here i W V.  A1 agricultural treads on my grandpa's Gravely tend to load almost completely full mowing grass.  My Jeep Compass 4x4  has city tread and it loads up completley full.. Got it stuck ON a Grassy slope! This mud is like potters clay.

[mikeexplorer]

On 7/28/2025 at 4:56 PM, jen said:

What's her name?  She should post on this forum. We need more female input.  

Send more pics...What are the "things on your Machine?  Second rider seat ??

Michelle, she doesn't do online stuff

I have front & rear cargo boxes, plus I added a GPS mount & mirrors, turn signals, horn, and aux lights. Not street legal, but some areas the secondary roads are open to ATV usage to get from trail to trail and drivers don't know hand signals. I am right now adding reverse lights but I f*cked up one wire so they come on when in high, not reverse.

On 7/28/2025 at 6:46 PM, jen said:

BTW  the tread on her ATV would "load up" in the yellow clay here i W V.  A1 agricultural treads on my grandpa's Gravely tend to load almost completely full mowing grass.  My Jeep Compass 4x4  has city tread and it loads up completley full.. Got it stuck ON a Grassy slope! This mud is like potters clay.

We are in Northeast PA, we ride in "coal country" the coal slag isn't sticky like what you describe, but it eats the bushings up. 

 

[jen]

"Michelle."..Beatles Rubber Soul... "Ma Belle son les mots qui vont tres bien ensemble."  LOve that name and that song.    I had an Aunt Millie (nick name for Michelle).

I saw that extender seat accessory.  looks nice . In case i get a passenger which some people doubt...

[Gwbarm]

Those cargo boxes really look nice on your cat.

[jen]

Sooo.  The tires on the Foremen 🫦 are more like road tire on steel rims...I love steel.. So I can buy from Amazon a replacement mounted on Steel rims same sizes 25x8 12 front and 25 x10 X 12.

Should I get the same size ?    these will be used on extreme hilly terrain.

[WeeBee]

I would go with the Same Size so you don't change the Gearing Ratio ! The Tread Pattern would be More of a Concern for the Terrain !! The More you ride it in Different Conditions you'll find out how it handles &, what it's Capable of ,what you want to change, Etc.

[jen]

I like A1 type tread...AKA agricultural tractor tread...

[Gwbarm]

I would stick with what you have for now you might be surprized at what they will do, Honda picked them for a reason, more than likely for a midway tread to do most everything, but if you are riding in deep mud thats a different story.

[jen]

No  with the ATV I can maneuver around the Mud     I like to get Muddy but hate cleaning my machine.