2012 outlander XT new tire questions

sundowner25 · #1 04-07-2012, 06:23 PM

I was thinking about putting on different tires then the stock ones (especially since one of the fronts got a flat today.) I am not really sure what I should look at for tires on this. I was thinking of keeping the same size because I dont really want to change rims, but anything is possible. So my basic questions is what tire is a good durable tire? And if I do get a bigger or wider tire what size should I consider for good performance. I dont want to have to space anything or lift anything tho, so needs to work with the stock bike setup. The riding I do is Mostly trail riding, dirt, tree stumps, rocks, with the occasional trip to the mud pit lol.
I have a 2012 outlander XT 1000. Thanks for the help.

tkooil · #2 04-07-2012, 08:58 PM

I would stick to a 27-28" tire zillas,swamplites,mudlights are all good choices as they are durable lightweight tires.Any one of these would give major improvements over stock.I run 30's on mine but mostly mud and silverbacks are quite aggressive.

sundowner25 · #3 04-07-2012, 10:24 PM

With the stock XT rims what size tries can you put on them withouth having to by new rims, the tires that are on there now are 26x8x12 front and 26x10x12 rears. I see they make bigger and wider but what can be put on the stock xt rims?

**rkc05** · #4 04-08-2012, 07:30 AM

Pitbull tires or Maxxis Big Horns would suit you great. You can get them in Radials and will fit your stock wheels, in my opinion these rides are to narrow, so a nice set of aftermarket wheels will give you some more width and look way cool.

sundowner25 · #5 04-08-2012, 07:43 AM

If I get replacement tires do they have to be the 26x8x12 or can you do different sizes and still fit the stock rims, or can they be like 27x?x?. Not sure how that works.

**rkc05** · #6 04-08-2012, 07:59 AM

You can go as tall or wide as you like. There are a couple of issues with the Gen2 chassis 800s and 1000s though, some 27 inch tires may rub the front fenders without a pipe lift. 26s will be fine. To wide a tire on the rear of the Gen2 rides MAY rub the springs, depends on how wide and which tire, with aftermarket wheels the fronts will need a trim with 27s and the rears will be fine. Getting much HEAVIER or much TALLER tires than stock MAY require a clutch kit. The 1000s have lots of power BUT clutching will always help.

sundowner25 · #7 04-08-2012, 08:13 AM

So if the fronts are currently 26x8x12, you could replace it with a 26x9x12 or a 26x10x12 or 26x10x14 and still use the stock rims?

**rkc05** · #8 04-08-2012, 08:27 AM

Well for the 14s, you would need 14" wheels, you can only fit 12" rim sized tires. The other two would work no prob.

mx_master · #9 04-08-2012, 09:22 AM

I went with some interoco swamplite tires 27x10x12 fronts and 27x12x12 rears without a pipe lift and have no issues

CoopDogg · #10 06-19-2012, 08:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mx_master

I went with some interoco swamplite tires 27x10x12 fronts and 27x12x12 rears without a pipe lift and have no issues

Thanks mx_master. Have same bike and was looking at Swamplite 9's and 11's. But if you are not having any issues, I think I will look at 10's and 12's . . .