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TO LIFT OR NOT TO LIFT? TIRE SIZE?

4056 Views 11 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  bryank333
I HAVE A 2006 FOREMAN 500S. I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ALITTLE MORE CLEARANCE AND DO ALITTLE BETTER IN THE MUD. WILL A LIFT HELP ME OR JUST HURT I HAVE READ ALOT THAT LIFTS ARENT WORTH THE MONEY. IS THIS TRUE? ALSO WHAT SIZE TIRE SHOULD I RUN IF I DONT LIFT IT? I WAS THINKING ABOUT 27" GBC DIRT DEVILS WITH THE 1 1/4" TREAD. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREAT.
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Lift kits are fine as long as you stay under 1" of lift. The 2" lifts will destroy your stock half shafts, shafts and labor aren't cheap. I was in the same boat you are in last year. I wnet and bought 27" ITP Mudlites and a 1" lift. I have all of the ground clearence that I need now. I love the stance of the Foreman now. It looks pretty mean. Now I just need a front locker.

Rusty :lol
I say lift it but its not going to give you any more ground clearance. Some people love them and others hate them. If your gonna ride your bike really hard then don't lift it. Mine has been lifted since it left the dealer and I haven't had any trouble with it. As for the tires you can fit 29.5 on there without a lift. Ask Robb thats what hes running with a few plastic mods. So go as big as you want
thanks guys. i do ride kinda hard so i dont think im gonna lift it and i think ill stay with the 27" dirt devils.
hey do either of you guys have apic with the 27"'s on your wheeler? if so can i see? thanks.
If I had a digital camera would send you some pics? But it just flat out looks mean!!
i have 27" swamplites on mine
here's 27" claws.
I'd say go with the Dirt Devils and NO lift. I'm very happy with Dirt Devil tires.Like someone already said,you can fit 29.5's without a lift.The lift won't increase your ground clearance,taller tires will.These bikes are so stiff anyway so you don't need the lift for increased tire travel.
Thanks guys you have all been very helpfull. rdering my dirt devild today.
Instead of starting a new topic I'm just going to modify bryank333's question a bit. I've searched around but not really found what I'm looking for. I know that some have fitted 29.5 laws on their bike without a lift but for the type of riding I'm going to be doing (crawling in deep woods, occasional mud, alot of trails) I'm thinking that the 589's will serve my purpose better. Has anyone gone a step above the 27's and put 28's on their bike with no rubbing issues in moderate to extreme articulation? I'm looking for as much GC as I can get with these tires WITHOUT a lift due to the stress I'll be putting on the shafts and axles already.

I'm pretty impressed with the stock set-up thus far, but I spend alot of time sliding on the undercarriage. I'm thinking 28's with 10/12 up front and 12/12 in back. I don't mind a little bit of plastic trimming, but I'd rather put a 1-1.5" lift if it will help any. The bike is an 06' 500 S bone stock exc. for skid plates, although I'll probably go with some aftermarket wheels with the new tires.
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I love my 27" dirt devils. I ride in the same conditions that you do and they r great. its a cheap tire from a great brand name. i got 27" 10's and 12" on 12" itp 4 series black for $500 shipped to my house with lugs and center caps. they look great and ride and fling mud even better. my buddy has 589's and he likes them but they r just really heavy. one of the heaviest tires on the market. but thats just my 2 cents.
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