Is there a "Less Knobby" ATV Tire?

[RWEST]

Is there a \"Less Knobby\" ATV Tire?

Just picked up a little Honda 90cc quad for great-niece #1 (straight "A"'s and perfect attendance this past school year /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif). I'm not crazy about those super-knobby tires on the front end (Maxxis A953's) - I've seen kids yank the bars instead of turning smoothly, those knobbies dig in, and over the quad goes. In fact, last nite, her mom was zipping around the yard and almost rolled it!! Naturally, Mom is now banned from riding it!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
So, I'm thinking I'll put some garden-tractor type tires on the front, or something a little less grippy. The tires that are on there are marked 'AT20x7-8'. It won't be used in mud-bogs or anything that requires knobs, mainly packed dirt or gravel trails that I've made for the kids to ride on (they have other quads and dirt bikes, too). Any ideas?
TIA,

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

Re: Is there a \"Less Knobby\" ATV Tire?

you could let some air out the tires that will help it from rollin over in the turns but as for as less nobby tire to stop it from rollin i don't think the tire will help. on dry ground it doesn't have i chanec of slidin it will bite no matter what. unless you have one with enough hp to spin the tires on a turn. what size do you have? judging from the size tire you said it has it's probably a 90cc or 125cc. i used to let the air out of my honda oddessy tire to help it from rollin. plus you can look into a throttle screw or something like that to slow it down.

 

[VinnieNC]

Re: Is there a \"Less Knobby\" ATV Tire?

Hi RWEST,

I thought I was the only one in the world looking for less agressive ATV tires! I got a 500 CC Honda last year and wanted to put turf tires on it so it wouldn't tear up the lawn so much on turns. Of course, being lighter on the thumb helps too, but I wanted to use it for lawn duty such as a fertilizer spreader, etc. I searched the 'net over and couldn't find my size in a turf tread. You can check Dennis Kirk for lots of options though.

My second idea was to go the the dealer and see if I could get a couple of "worn out" tires my size since the rest of the world seems to trend towards "more traction, agressive" tires. The dealer in my town told me they drill holes in the used tires to keep them from being re-used. I think it had something to do with Insurance reasons.

So I have just learned to make wide turns and go light on the throttle when in the yard.

To answer your question, there are less knobby tires made, if you can find your size. I have even seen SLICKS for sand dune riding.

Good Luck.

-Vinnie

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

Re: Is there a \"Less Knobby\" ATV Tire?

you could always just go out and buy you a set of sand tires and sand down the paddles on them then you would have some slicks. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[HGM]

Re: Is there a \"Less Knobby\" ATV Tire?

Honestly, I can understand the concern of danger involved in flipping it.. However, she would be safer learning to modulate the throttle than not being able to turn when needed because the tires are sliding.. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif You may teach her to stand up and shift her weight as she turns(away from the outside front wheel).. I learned and taught my son to respect the characteristics of the bike by doing figure "8's" really slow. The rear wheel will likely come off the ground while doing this, so be very careful, you dont want to tell her to flip it, but how to reach the edge and come back.. The 3-wheelers were great for learning the "feel", but unfortunatly the "saftey police" thought we couldnt handle it /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif...Make sure youre near and watch her do them, but it will teach her the limmits of the bike and what to do to correct for them(let off and steer out of the turn)...

Just my take on it. I have seen allot of people get hurt on these things because they didnt understand the characteristics as well as they should(or forgot them because while under the infulence of something /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif).. As far as your question, I can only recommend that you do a search for ATV tires online and spend some time surfing.. You should be able to find a pattern you like, but it might take a while /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif..

 

[RWEST]

Re: Is there a \"Less Knobby\" ATV Tire?

Thanx, guys. The search continues.

 

[rtv900]

Re: Is there a \"Less Knobby\" ATV Tire?

Here are some:

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=&store=Main&catId=108&productId=p652741&leafCatId=10802&mmyId=

Turf Tamer:

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=&store=Main&catId=108&productId=p541536&leafCatId=10802&mmyId=

 

[pekabu]

Re: Is there a \"Less Knobby\" ATV Tire?

I don't think there is a lot of options, maybe finding a turf tractor tire. Here is a website. At the top middle of the page there is a drop down tire size. Pick 20x7x8 (near the bottom) and it will give you a few options.

ATV Tire search

 

[milkman]

Re: Is there a \"Less Knobby\" ATV Tire?

You might give these a look, they are not too agressive looking, but they come with wheels, shouldn't be too hard to switch them over.
http://surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2006062007530787&item=1-2405&catname=wheels

 

[farmerjim]

Re: Is there a "Less Knobby" ATV Tire?

i would reccommend trying to get a set of the stock tires, or a set that's similar to the stock, as the manufactorer designed them to be on that machine for a reason. you want a tire that looks to be like a u shape or 1/2 an elongated circle when looking from the front. the more wide and square the tire is the more grippy it will be when turning. also try to avoid the really big lugs on or closer to the sidewall that will dig right in. those maxxis tires on there now will be great once the kids get the hang of turning. check out the kenda front max they're not too bad, i run the kenda klaws f/r on my honda 400ex they make my quad handle great on all types of dirt, but they're def not for novice riders.