[Bruiser]

Hi,

I am soon going to need a set of tires for my '05 Rubicon. What size tires would most recommend and list any problems if any that I should be aware of? I have been looking at a few different tires so far, Mudlites, Mudlites XTR's, 589's, but I think I have decided on Bear Claws. I am not what most would call a hard core mudder, I like riding mud but what I do ride would more than likely be considered just a puddle compared to some of what I have seen on this site. I want a decent tire that will get me to the cabin, ride most trails and I do not want to add a lift kit or rims and I want a comfortable ride. Stock tires of course are 25 x 8 x 12 fronts and 25 x 10 x 12 rears. I have considered 26 x 9 x 12 front and 26 x 12 x 12 rear. I would have stuck to a 10 wide in the rear but the Bear Claw is not offered in that. Will a 12 inch wide work/look ok on my stock 10 inch rim? Any thoughts would be great. Pictures would be even better. It's a lot of money to spend to find out you don't like them.

Thanks,
Bruiser

 

[heavy d hit56]

I have 27/9/12 and 27/11/12 589's and they ride very good on trails and good in the mud and i have no lift with no rub..

 

[Spike]

Kenda BearClaws on a 05 Rubicon

Hey Bruser, I know exactly what your going through here. I have a 05 Rubicon and I would say based on your description of your riding habbits we are pretty similar riders. I was debating over getting the 26" Mudlite XL's. A friend of mine has them and whle they work real good in the mud but they ride kind of ruff on the hard pack trails. I have to ride the tops of ruts quite a bit out here as there are some pretty big 4x4's ( we had a real wet season up here last year)

I have ordered a set of 27" Bearclaws for my bike. If you check the Kenda website you'll find that Kenda measures thiere tires smaller than Dunlop does. I saw a set of 25" bearclaws on a 05 Forman an they looked VERY small compared to the stock tires. I expect my new tires here Friday or Monday. The 12" in the rear should not be a problem near as I can tell as the 26" Mudlite XL's seem to fit with lots of room to spare. I'll put some pictures up next week as soon as I get them mounted. Here is a pic of my Rubi with stock tires vs my wifes 400AT with 25" (10"w) Bearclaws

 

[Spike]

Kenda BearClaws on a 05 Rubicon

Hey Bruser, I know exactly what your going through here. I have a 05 Rubicon and I would say based on your description of your riding habbits we are pretty similar riders. I was debating over getting the 26" Mudlite XL's. A friend of mine has them and whle they work real good in the mud but they ride kind of ruff on the hard pack trails. I have to ride the tops of ruts quite a bit out here as there are some pretty big 4x4's ( we had a real wet season up here last year)

I have ordered a set of 27" Bearclaws for my bike. If you check the Kenda website you'll find that Kenda measures thiere tires smaller than Dunlop does. I saw a set of 25" bearclaws on a 05 Forman an they looked VERY small compared to the stock tires. I expect my new tires here Friday or Monday. The 12" in the rear should not be a problem near as I can tell as the 26" Mudlite XL's seem to fit with lots of room to spare. I'll put some pictures up next week as soon as I get them mounted. Here is a pic of my Rubi with stock tires vs my wifes 400AT with 25" (10"w) Bearclaws

 

[Spike]

Kenda BearClaws on a 05 Rubicon

Hey Bruser, I know exactly what your going through here. I have a 05 Rubicon and I would say based on your description of your riding habbits we are pretty similar riders. I was debating over getting the 26" Mudlite XL's. A friend of mine has them and whle they work real good in the mud but they ride kind of ruff on the hard pack trails. I have to ride the tops of ruts quite a bit out here as there are some pretty big 4x4's ( we had a real wet season up here last year)

I have ordered a set of 27" Bearclaws for my bike. If you check the Kenda website you'll find that Kenda measures thiere tires smaller than Dunlop does. I saw a set of 25" bearclaws on a 05 Forman an they looked VERY small compared to the stock tires. I expect my new tires here Friday or Monday. The 12" in the rear should not be a problem near as I can tell as the 26" Mudlite XL's seem to fit with lots of room to spare. I'll put some pictures up next week as soon as I get them mounted. Here is a pic of my Rubi with stock tires vs my wifes 400AT with 25" (10"w) Bearclaws

 

[Desert Hawk]

This is what I ended up doing

Front:26 X 9 X 12 & Rear:26 X 12 X 12

I also gained 1 1/2" of clearance

 

[Spike]

Tires

Hey Northwoodson any possibility of a rear clearance shot ?

 

[Desert Hawk]

This is the best shot I have right now
it'a about 1/2"

 

[Lumpy Rides]

QUOTE ("Northwoodsdon":1c5n2621)

This is the best shot I have right now
it'a about 1/2"

I have seen that quad some place before,not
to long ago. Were you on the Benefit run? If so
were you the guy, that pulled that quad up the side of that mountain
after it went over the side?

 

[Desert Hawk]

Yep..Thats Me

 

[Spike]

27" Kenda BearClaws

Sorry it took so long to get the pictures up, my supplier shipped 26 fronts and 26" rears the first time.

 

[look'n for mud]

I have 26x10x12 front and 26x12x12 on rear on my 05 rubi and they work fine for my needs