New toy new tires

[CatMan-do]

thinking about some 27" terracross xd's or 27" bighorns on itp ss212..do you think i can run these with out any loss of some low end or will i have to do some mods? don't care about the high end..

[GreatWhiteHunter]

Speaking from experience, the 700EFI is "geared" a little high. You'll have to use low range when the going gets sticky, steep or extra slow. Even with stock tires you'll find that if left in high, you'll get a little belt squeal which is not good in the duramatic tranny.

Having said all that, I run 27" Mudlites and have no issues at all. There is very little difference with the machine's handling/power delivery when comparing these tires to stock.

If I can inject just a little opinion in this reply, I would suggest going with 14" wheels and 26" tires. You'll have the best of all worlds. Better handling (nearly no sidewall flex or roll under in corners), more ground clearance (not that the Cat needs any more!) and the wheel/tire combo will be lighter than if you were to go with 12" wheels and the same 26" or 27" tire. My next set will be 14/26's as I've found that the 27's are just overkill and cause way to much bump steer in the really rough stuff.

Oh and Bighorns, all the way! Great tires!

[CatMan-do]

I put the terra's on the 700, the stock tires on the 500, terracross are 44 lb. heavier than the stockers, couldn't feel any difference so I'll keep them on for a while