Need real world opinions on some tires and wheels

After spinning my stock ITP 900XCT tires climbing muddy TWRA trails all weekend, I have decided it is time for an upgrade.
Called my dealer today to see what he had available. His two best offerings are from ITP and GBC.
I want a tire that wears as good as a Bighorn, a little more aggressive, but can still run down the pavement and puncture proof sidewalls. Want to stay close to stock height, maybe go up to a 27". My stock 900XCT says 27", but everybody knows they measure the same as a 26" BH.
I figure while I am at it, might as well upgrade to bead locks as well. I am staying with 12" wheels.

I am leaning towards the ITP Blackwater Evolutions in a 27x9R-12 front and 27x11R-12 rear.
http://itptires.com/utilityatv/blackwater_evo.html

I do kind of like the GBC Grim Reaper too.
http://www.gbcmotorsports.com/grim-reaper-p-1.html

For wheels, the ITP T7 Beadlock.
http://itptires.com/t7beadlock.html
When ordering wheels, do you tell them what machine it is for and they automatically give you the correct offset and backspacing?

Anybody that is currently running these, ran these in the past or have a buddy that runs them have an opinion or war story to share good or bad?

Just another consideration- Kenda Bear-Claw HTRs. I've been running them for almost 3-years. At this point I would not consider any other tire.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/4/30/397/54428/ITEM/Kenda-K587-Bearclaw-HTR-Front-Rear-Tire.aspx

ridepate wrote:

Just another consideration- Kenda Bear-Claw HTRs. I've been running them for almost 3-years. At this point I would not consider any other tire.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/4/30/397/54428/ITEM/Kenda-K587-Bearclaw-HTR-Front-Rear-Tire.aspx

Ok, thanks!! I will check to see if he carries them.

Badride put a set of Blackwater Evolutions on his Renegade,so far they have held up great and have a much better sidewall than the Bighorns have now.But they are running much smaller height than Bighorns.

aweisgarber wrote:

But they are running much smaller height than Bighorns.

I read that also. That's why I chose to go with the 27's.

On the wheels, it looks like they come in a 4+3 offset, does that sound right?

C-Series T7 Beadlock F/R 12x7 4/156 4+3

I had the Blackwaters in 27". I was pleased with them, even tho i did manage to cut a sidewall. They do have great customer service. I would buy them again.
I've read some bad stuff on the t7 beadlocks tho. I'd prob go with sti or wait till itp releases a new style (soon)

STR8RZR wrote:

I had the Blackwaters in 27". I was pleased with them, even tho i did manage to cut a sidewall. They do have great customer service. I would buy them again.
I've read some bad stuff on the t7 beadlocks tho. I'd prob go with sti or wait till itp releases a new style (soon)

I was just reading some bad stuff about the ITP wheel on RZR forum, back side of wheel breaks off. Will call my dealer tomorrow and see if he can get STI.
What makes you think ITP will be releasing a new one soon?

The HTRs run true to-size too. If not an 1/8th or so bigger. Most of the beadlocks run 4+3, except maybe the Hipers. Not sure what the thinking is behind it. A 4+3 will make you 2-inches wider compared to a 5+2. I've got a couple of hundred miles on my STIs, and other than having to check and snug-up the lock ring bolts a time or two, I think they are a great value.

ridepate wrote:

The HTRs run true to-size too. If not an 1/8th or so bigger.

I bought a set of HTRs and sent them back because they ran small. That was my first and last set of Kendas.

It was on the rzr forum. Ill try to find the link.
I ran the sti's and was also happy with them.
I think maybe Raceline had a good looking set coming out but I'm not sure of price on those.

4+3=2" wider, o great!! I have enough hassles already being 64". This keeps up I will be as wide as KY. Colonel!!!!

No ITP's. Catmostfeared has a set. He broke two different wheels. In that price range I would buy the STI's like Pates'. However, you can only get 4+3.

I am really considering the HiPers because I can get a 5+2.

Big-R wrote:

No ITP's. Catmostfeared has a set. He broke two different wheels. In that price range I would buy the STI's like Pates'. However, you can only get 4+3.

I am really considering the HiPers because I can get a 5+2.

From the RZR Forum
"All Stock RZR 800, RZR 570, RZR S, RZR 4, RZR XP, and RZR XP4 (LE or not) factory wheels are:Front: 12x6 4+2 offset or 4/2Rear: 12x8 6+2 offset or 6/2(12x6)12 is the diameter of the rim, 6 is the width.(4+2) 4 is the inches from where "middle" (mounting face) of wheel is to the inside bead of tire, 2 is the inches from the "middle" (mounting face) of wheel is to the outside bead of tire."

What would be the advantage of the 5+2? What is the width of the hiper?

jhoncho4x4 wrote:

Big-R wrote:

No ITP's. Catmostfeared has a set. He broke two different wheels. In that price range I would buy the STI's like Pates'. However, you can only get 4+3.

I am really considering the HiPers because I can get a 5+2.

From the RZR Forum
"All Stock RZR 800, RZR 570, RZR S, RZR 4, RZR XP, and RZR XP4 (LE or not) factory wheels are:Front: 12x6 4+2 offset or 4/2Rear: 12x8 6+2 offset or 6/2(12x6)12 is the diameter of the rim, 6 is the width.(4+2) 4 is the inches from where "middle" (mounting face) of wheel is to the inside bead of tire, 2 is the inches from the "middle" (mounting face) of wheel is to the outside bead of tire."

What would be the advantage of the 5+2? What is the width of the hiper?

Uhhh! 7. I'm sorry. I couldn't help it.

5+2=7....4+3=7. The first # is what's on the inside, in laymen's terms. The second # is pointing to the outside...Follow?? In other words a 4+3 will stick out 1-inch more than a 5+2. Both are 7-inches wide.

Well duhhh, guess maybe I should think before I type!!

jhoncho4x4 wrote:

Big-R wrote:

No ITP's. Catmostfeared has a set. He broke two different wheels. In that price range I would buy the STI's like Pates'. However, you can only get 4+3.

I am really considering the HiPers because I can get a 5+2.

From the RZR Forum
"All Stock RZR 800, RZR 570, RZR S, RZR 4, RZR XP, and RZR XP4 (LE or not) factory wheels are:Front: 12x6 4+2 offset or 4/2Rear: 12x8 6+2 offset or 6/2(12x6)12 is the diameter of the rim, 6 is the width.(4+2) 4 is the inches from where "middle" (mounting face) of wheel is to the inside bead of tire, 2 is the inches from the "middle" (mounting face) of wheel is to the outside bead of tire."

What would be the advantage of the 5+2? What is the width of the hiper?

It is no advantage other then it keeps the machine at stock width. Aftermarket manufacturers usually make a 7" wheel not 8"/6".

Pitbull Growlers

brhodes22 wrote:

Pitbull Growlers

I asked about them, they don't sell them.

Am I reading this correctly? All HiPer wheels are carbon fiber? If so, I would be a little concerned about a rock getting between the brake caliper / wheel and grinding a whole through it. Happened before on buddies aluminum wheels, but we was able to weld the hole back together.
http://hiperracingwheels.com/UTV.aspx

I ordered mine from discount tire direct with free shipping. They were as good a price as I could find.

Ok maybe someone can help me with this. I've been kicking around tires and wheels also.. First question you guys running 7" rims on all four how can you mount a 11 or 12" wide tire on the rear but a 9" on the front" Wouldn't doing this make the rear tires taller then the front with the same tire pressure?

The other question, whats you guys thoughts on running a 11" wide tire on all fours on 7" rims.. I'm thinking very series about trying this.. Would keep the same amount of rubber on the ground as 9 front 12 rear. But would allow for rotating the tires. My thinking is also when your front end is up on a ledge or over a tree, ect it would help pull the rear more. The 4 seater can high center from time to time lol. Also this would do away with the wider tires on the same size rims as the front.. If that even matters. In my mind I can't see how the rear wouldn't be taller with the same PSI

BTW from my understanding of the way the awd works on a polaris the tires really need to the exact same diameter front and rear. Thats why I was worried about the rear being taller.. I also like the idea of rotating them for wear since the Rears wear much faster then the fronts.. I'm sure with an XP its even worse since they can spin the tires easily..

Will,
It does make the 11 "grow" a little, but honestly not enough to matter. I run 9's in the summer months all the way around so's to rotate. 11's all the way around would probably be golden!!! But on my machine, 11's would rub in the front....

From my reading on RZR forum, the biggest gripe about the 9" tire on 7" rim is the rim gets chewed up a lot more.
As far as running same size on all 4 corners, I have seen where others have done it. Some run wide rear tires front and back, others run narrow front tires back and front. They say the wide tires on front can make it harder to steer. Personally I would be more worried about the extra load on the CV's and differential cage.