largest tire for a stock polaris rims 700 efi 2006

eichhoma · #1 (**permalink**) 10-21-2011, 04:42 AM

I have a 2008 Sportsman 800.
It has 26x8x12's in the front and 26x11x12's in the back.

I need tires, and really like what I am seeing and hearing about the grim reapers but it doesnt look like they are made in my size...
I hate the idea of buying expensive flashy looking wheels to fit a specific tire.
My atv spends all of its time in woods and plowing snow.. so the plain old black steel wheels I have on are fine... or if I could find plain old black steel wheels affordably that were a size I can get GR's in, that would be fine too.

anyone know what size(s) I can safely put on my existing wheels?
thanks. Mark

bobx2 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-21-2011, 05:25 AM

You are pretty much stuck with the same size tires if you keep your stock wheels. The wheel offset won't allow you to go wider on the front because of rubbing issues on tie rod ends. Some people go with spacers to get clearance, but personally I don't care for that option. Since you don't mind steel wheels, you can pick up good one's with the offset you need for around $45 apiece and then you could go up to at least a 27-9-12 on the front and 27-12-12 on the rear with no problem. Check out the ITP Delta Steel wheels. Great wheels and a good price.

eichhoma · #3 (**permalink**) 10-21-2011, 06:18 AM

thanks Bob, appreciate the response. I dont see the need to replace my wheels. I will just pick up some tires in my given size. Was just wondering if there was any room to fudge there. doesnt look like it. thanks!

willc · #4 (**permalink**) 11-28-2011, 05:27 PM

I have a 2011 polaris sportsman 500 ho an im wantin new tires but worried what size to get on front it has 25 8 12s now an I was wonderin if I could go 27 9 12s with nothin else no lift rims or anythin just stock help would be nice thanks

01Z · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 03:04 AM

I'm surprised there isn't more action in this thread considering how important tire size is to these ATVs. I hope some advertiser will contribute the information you need. I need the same answer you seek.

Without having disassembled the tires from the wheels I believe the 8" wide front tire has a 6" wide rim supporting it and the rear wheel is 7" wide.

Of all the advertised wheels I have been looking over, none seem to give a back spacing dimension or min / max tire size. They simply state they will fit ALL Polaris ATVs but then proceed to list the models and years. I find it amazing that a 330 cc model and the 850 accept the same wheel and tire sizes.

The wheel / tire sets I have been looking at on ebay all seem to have 7" wide wheels that appear to support up to 12" wide tires. I would imagine tire deformation isn't as important as it is with cars and trucks but tire width that extends 2.5" past a rim seems like it would produce a very non - flat tire contact with flat ground. I am going to start measuring the clearance between tire and suspension / steering components in order to determine what will work. I would recommend you to do the same since there doesn't appear to be any information on that here.