How to Choose the Best ATV/UTV Tires

How to Choose the Best ATV/UTV Tires

When the time comes to get new ATV tires and UTV tires, it can be a relatively simple matter to replace them with the same stock tires that came with your machine. But, if those 4 wheeler tires are no longer available, or if you want to change the style and tread pattern to better suit your style of riding, it will help you to be armed with some basic information. That’s why our Treadworld tire experts put together this list of considerations to let you know when it’s time to replace your tires, and help you choose the best ATV tires for you.

What’s the advantage of getting new ATV Tires / UTV Tires?

The benefits you get from new recreational tires include your safety, more power and improved performance cornering and stopping, plus the promise of less gas consumption. New tires take stress off your machine by not forcing it to work harder than necessary.

How to know when it’s time to replace your ATV tires

Look! Uneven or excessive tread wear is one way to tell it’s time to replace your ATV tires. It’s a good idea to carefully check your tires at least monthly to be certain they are not discolored or cracked, there are no bulges on the sidewall, and there’s no debris stuck to the tread. Feel! If you feel slippage during cornering causing a slight tailspin rather than the firm grip you’re used to, it’s likely time to get new tires. Though not an exact science, the shelf life of ATV tires is 4 to 5 years, of course depending on use.

Do I need to replace all 4 ATV tires at the same time?

Conventional wisdom among tire experts is that it’s always a good ideal to change all four ATV tires or UTV tires at the same time to avoid damaging your drive train and/or transmission. Stress and strain is added to your engine if the tires are not the same diameter, while a difference in tread type and depth can result in your wheels spinning at different speeds, also not a healthy situation.  

How do I get the right size ATV tires?

Many people assume that ATV tires are standard for quads with the same engine size. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy as you can typically choose from a range of sizes. A good place to start is by checking your owner’s manual or matching specs online. ATV tire sizes are generally denoted by three numbers in the format “inches high x tread width – wheel diameter” so 20×10-9 is an ATV tire that is 20 inches high, with a tread width from side to side of 10 inches, and a wheel diameter of 9 inches. You don’t want to choose a size outside the recommended range of sizes because it can seriously impede the way your ATV runs in terms of torque and horsepower, creating issues in balance and handling.

What is the result of changing the tire size on my ATV?

If you do decide to change tire sizes, do so for a particular reason and stay within the recommended size range. Otherwise, you may make your machine mechanically unstable, and potentially dangerous. Be certain you’re not impeding the clearance between the top of the tires and your suspension. A smaller diameter tire will increase the RPMs (Revolutions per minute) for quicker acceleration but will reduce the top end speed. A larger diameter tire reduces engine RPM and increases speed, while offering a softer, more flexible ride, but it can also decrease breaking efficiency. Likewise, choosing a wider ATV tire will decrease breaking efficiency, while increasing traction by putting more tread pattern on the ground. A narrower tire will decrease the amount of tread on the ground, which some say increases efficiency in muddy terrain. The bottom line is that, while you can vary the tire size, the advantages may not be enough to take the risk.

Bias-ply vs. radial ATV tires

There are two types of ATV tire designs, bias and radial, and each has its pluses and minuses when it comes to your off-road adventures. Radial ATV tires, which are relatively new to the market, are made with rubber-coated steel belts and cables, making them strong and durable. Radial tires are more flexible, with softer sidewalls to offer a smooth ride even with heavier loads, along with better traction while cornering. They also tend to be more expensive. Bias ply ATV tires are constructed with layers of rubber-coated textile cords, which tends to make them less rigid, a plus when it comes to providing a solid grip on a variety of irregular terrains. They tend to have a higher wear rate, but they’re also cheaper. If you’re driving your ATV on paved roads, you’ll be better served by radial tires.

Choosing the right tread design

Selecting the best tread design for your ATV tires is a little like buying shoes for sports. You wouldn’t wear metal cleats to play basketball, and you wouldn’t wear hiking boots when you’re running a marathon. Similarly, choosing the right type of ATV tread is essential for the type of riding you’ll be doing. Tires to be ridden primarily on rocky terrain should be different than the tires you want for riding on pavement. Sand ATV tires are designed differently than tires designed specifically to go through mud. All terrain ATV tires, or trail tires, are the most versatile ATV tires, and come in a variety tread patterns designed to handle a wide range of off-road situations. All terrain tires tend to have squared or lateral lugs that are set close to each other to provide a wide contact patch, with a tread depth varying from ½-inch to 1-inch to provide dependable traction and a smooth ride. Tires designed to be used primarily in mud pits have wide, inside-to-outside, angled lug patterns with a more directional tread, with depths from 1-inch to 2-inches, that will self-clean and help prevent clogging, with additional lugs on the shoulder to help grip muddy ruts. If you’re riding rocky terrains, you want a tighter tread pattern that will provide a larger contact patch, that also has more deeply angled grooves to make climbing rocks easier.

Your one-stop shop for Master ATV Tires. Big selection, fast shipping and guaranteed quality.

Here at Treadworld, we have the ATV tires you need for wherever your adventures take you. Our wide selection of Master ATV Tires and Master UTV Tires are the high performance tires you want, made from top quality rubber compounds, triple-tested for quality before being X-rayed to be sure they’re perfect, and covered by our Ultimate Advantage Warranty. Don’t hesitate to contact our tire experts via live chat or email customerservice@treadworld.com with any questions you may have, and to get the ideal Master ATV tires for you.