Mud Vs. Street ATV Tires
Whether you’re new to ATV riding or an experienced pro, you know that tires make a huge difference in performance. The wrong tire type either on the pavement or off the road can lead to traction loss, faster wear, excess noise and even getting stuck. And none of those are ideal in any scenario. But how do you know which ones to buy? This short guide explains the difference between mud and street tires plus useful info on all-terrain, sand and rocky terrain tires. You’ll also learn how to tell them apart when you go shopping.
Why Having Proper Tires Is Crucial
Tires have one primary job: providing traction so your vehicle can move. Logically, their performance impacts other aspects of your ride such as stability, speed and handling. Tire manufacturers pay attention to critical aspects of design – tread shape, spacing and depth plus materials, construction, shoulder design and sidewall strength.
To see how this plays out, let’s look at the Maxxis Carnivore 30x10x14 as an example. While it looks wickedly aggressive, it’s actually an all-terrain model made for extra durability on hardpack, desert and rocky terrains. Its aggressive spaced-out tread also makes it an excellent choice on mud. With superior traction, improved cleanout and an 8-ply radial construction, the Carnivore really goes the distance. And it’s DOT-approved to boot, thanks to a flat profile that allows you to venture onto pavement.
What Are Roctane Tires Good For?
You may notice STI’s Roctane tires XD 30x10x14 as you’re shopping for ATV parts. The Roctane also boasts an aggressive look from its beefy non-directional tread, but the beauty of that design is more than skin deep. Engineered for rocky terrain, the Roctane XD pairs this tread with an 8-ply carcass, wear-resistant compound, a heavy denier nylon cord and extra tread belts on its shoulders.
As a bonus, the Roctane XD sports deep rim guards to fend off sharp rock impacts on your wheel lips. Its Rockwall protection performs a similar function to maintain shoulder and sidewall integrity. Together, all its features make it a natural choice for extremely rocky ground.
Choosing Tires for Sand
Riding on sand presents different challenges. Rather than digging into the ground as mud tires do, ATV tires for dune riding rely on paddle-shaped tread to push the vehicle forward – like oars in the water. ITP’s Sand Star rear tires sport mini and full-length paddles to scoop sand out of your vehicle’s way. Meanwhile, the front tire uses dual-rib tread for improved control. The Sand Star’s lightweight construction helps your ATV stay agile while moving over dunes and flat patches of sand.
With plenty of choices in ATV tires, you can easily find ones that best support your performance goals. All-terrain, mud, sand and rocky terrain tires each offer distinctive benefits. When shopping for your next set, be sure to choose a reputable dealer in powersports components and accessories. Besides a specialized selection, you can also get great advice from knowledgeable pros.
