Overall, I'm glad I went with 26" instead of 25" for my 450. It did cost some power, and initially some top end, but my sheave & clutch kit gained it all back, and then some. I'd point out a few potential benefits, in addition to the clearance you mentioned.

a. A slightly better ride. The taller sidewalls and larger air volume act like a thicker cushion.

b. Similarly, less chance of sidewall pinching and flats caused by that, simply because it's farther from the outside of the tread to the edge of the rim...

c. The availability of wider tires, especially the 12" wide rear tires in the 26" size -- most 25" use a 10" rear width. This may not be an issue where you ride, but a wider tire will decrease the ground pressure and is less likely to cut down through marsh or soft trails (which can get you high-centered). Here in New England, with lots of bogs and marshes (caused by beaver ponds, in large part) I wanted the bigger "balloon tires" to put on my heavy (relatively) Rhino. Similarly, most 26" sets come with 9" fronts, instead of 8"...

Trail conditions really are a key factor -- a lot of people like to run 9" front and rear, if you're largely on hard-pack or gravel.

Whatever you decide, it WILL be a compromise, just like which brand/tread pattern you choose.. There is no perfect tire for all conditions.

 

Excellent points - thanks KentT!

I've been looking into it a little more, and I think I might have a good solution.

Either 26x10xR12 Grim Reapers all way around, or 26x9xR12 Bajacross on all 4. For my style of riding, I think same on all 4 makes sense. Not real big/heavy in the back is my biggest concern. 12" wide rears that come with the normal GR setup seem HUGE!!! I'm not muddin or climbing loose rock, so I think narrow is better for hard pack, yes?

They'll both be about the same price - Are 10's too 'wide' for the fronts? I like the idea of 10's in the rear, but worries about steering up front.

 

I went with the lighter 25's on the Bajacross. What's more important? Power robbing 26s that fill the wheel better or smaller tires that help with the power?? With the rhino already being a heavy, under powered with an measly single piston pumper, try and get all the power you can to the wheels. That one inch you get with the tire can be comprimised by spring preaload on your shocks to ensure correct ride height... My .02.

By the way, I went with the Bajacross's 25s and work like a charm! My buddies with BigHorns got nothing on me!!

 

Hmmm... interesting point! I do have some aftermarket suspension that I can crank up slightly.... you're making me re-think the 26's now!!!

I'm pretty sure I'm going 9" alll the way around due to the riding I'm doing. Almost ALL hard pack and gravel. I won't be mudding anything past the axles, that's for sure.

What widths did you go front and back? They only make the 25"s in 8 and 10 wide. Wouldn't a 9" wide 26" be about the same weight as a 10" wide 25" tire? I'm having trouble finding any REAL weights of these tires on the web!

 

Actually there is only 1/2" difference height wise between a 25 and 26" tire.

 

Doesn't that depend on the tire brand?

 

The web says the Bajas and Bighorns weight the same but prolly not.

I went with stock offsets which I beleive is 8 in the front and 10 in the back. I think most people do the same.

 

Guys - forgot to mention.... I'm running 25's now, with only intake and CDI mods. The others still need to be installed.

Will 26's with the duner clutch (heavier spring and lighter rollers) and exhaust installed pull as good as the 25's in semi-stock form? I keep hearing horror stories with heavier tires, and not sure if it's really as 'bad' as I'm expecting!

My supplier can't find four 26x9x12's, so I'm considering just going with the 11" rears and 9" fronts, or maybe staying with the 25x8 and 25x10. ARGH!!!! I'll likely run these tires for a few years, considering I don't get out to ride that much, so i'd like to make the 'right' choice ahead of time!

 

I run mostly trails and have 25 x 8 fronts and 25 x 10 in the rear. I would just stick with stock sizes since you are not looking for extra ground clearance and do not ride in the mud much. Also the bigger tires will give you more unsprung weight, ( depending on which tire you get ). If I was to do it all over again I would get all four tires the same, so you would only need one spare. ( the way it is now the fronts will fit the backs and the backs will not fit the front ) Also any motor mods you do you will notice the improvement right away. Instead of try to catch up to what you had. Just my two cents worth. Every body does what works for them !

 

i run the new gbc 8 ply great tire and is light , stick with 25's if u like power

 

Okay boys - I'm LEANING towards the stock sizes. It just looks so lame!!!

I think these Bajacross tires will work pretty well for my application. I thought about the GBC Grim Reapers, but they are hard to find up here, and the 26" with 12" rears is a bit big for my riding. But I know they make a 25" set with 10" rears... dang this decision doesn't get any easier the more I analyze!

 

You might want to look into Pitbull tires. They have a 6 ply 25.5x10x12 and 8x12 called the Growler XOR, and two 8 ply Rocker Uber XOR and the Growler Uber XOR. They where running a special before the end of the year. A sales guy from Pitbull called me in January and said he would honor the intro price.

Was about $80 a tire with shipping (business address) was about $400 for all 4s.

I went with Grim Reapers on my 14s because Pitbull's 26s weren't out yet. I've got a couple of rides on them. Like them way better than my TerraCross's which they replaced.

 

Well, a decision HAS BEEN MADE!!!!

I ordered a set of 25" Bajacross tires - 8" fronts and 10" rears! I really like acceleration/bottom end, and didn't need the clearance, so when I looked at the situation objectively, it was a pretty easy choice. Thanks for the assist guys!

Now rims - I'm going 2+5 rears (no OEM spacers) and 5+2 fronts... any 'better' setup than that? Is the 2+5 offset 'harder' on the rear end components? I think a bit wider stance will help with stability.

 

Well, a decision HAS BEEN MADE!!!!

I ordered a set of 25" Bajacross tires - 8" fronts and 10" rears! I really like acceleration/bottom end, and didn't need the clearance, so when I looked at the situation objectively, it was a pretty easy choice. Thanks for the assist guys!

Now rims - I'm going 2+5 rears (no OEM spacers) and 5+2 fronts... any 'better' setup than that? Is the 2+5 offset 'harder' on the rear end components? I think a bit wider stance will help with stability.

Bitchen! Post pics when you get them on!!

 

Finally got them mounted up - they're sweet! Much better ride and grip than the previous tires, and I think they look good. I think I made the right choice with 25"... this thing rips! Of course, the Ron Wood pipe and Duner clutch kit/machined sheave might have something to do with it.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

looks good

 

Man, That is two large bags of sticky weed in the back of that Rhino!!

 

Haha yeah we're making a border run.

It's two bags of lawn clippings that we're bringing up the mountains to re-fertilize the earth. Really, it's just an excuse to head up the mountain.