Versatility of the ATV makes it a great solution for outdoor activities, work, racing, tourism, expeditions, etc. But in order for the device to confidently hold on a particular landscape, the driver needs to choose the right tires for the ATV. The fact is that the comfort of riding, maneuverability and passability of the equipment depends on the rubber. Even if you decide to buy an inexpensive ATV, properly chosen tires will improve its driving qualities. So let’s figure out how to choose tires for your ATV.
To begin with the rider needs to decide what is a priority for him: speed or permeability. It is from this is worth pushing back deciding what tires on the ATV is better to put.
If you like a drive on your ATV or want to participate in the race, then you should choose tires of small diameter (12-14 inches). Such rubber will significantly increase the speed of the vehicle, but its cross-country ability will be reduced.
Larger wheels on the contrary, will allow the ATV to pass even on difficult trails: marshy areas, streams, mud, snow. The fact is that the large tires have a larger contact patch, which improves traction. But if you install on the test bike tires of large diameter, then the torque of the unit will be reduced and the wear and tear of the components (engine and suspension) will increase.
But it is better not to experiment with tires for children’s ATV. If there are 8-inch wheels on the machine, then you need to change them for rubber of similar size. Installation of wheels of a different diameter will lead to a deterioration in controllability, loss of sensitivity and reduced power.
Features of tires for motorcycles
It should be noted at once that almost all rubber for ATVs is designed for off-road. Although some manufacturers produce tires for public roads.
Now on the market are presented:
- Radial tires. Such wheels are better suited for flat trails and high-speed riding. Actually, if you plan to drive around the city, then radial tires are suitable for you.
- Diagonal tires. This rubber is the most common solution, as it provides a better stability for the ATV when riding on marshy terrain or mud.
It is necessary to pay attention to the tire marking. This will greatly simplify the choice of appropriate rubber.
The wheel size is usually specified in the English or metric system. The first option looks like this: 25×8-12. The first two numbers indicate the height and width of the tire, and the last one is the radius of the disk.
The metric system looks a little more complicated, for example: 200/70R12. Where 200 is the width of the tire, and 70 is the ratio of width to profile height.
To choose a tire for the ATV it is necessary to take into account the tread pattern. It depends on how the motorized vehicle will behave off-road.
Types of patterns:
- For loose soil and dirt. Products of this type are designed for riding on wet and viscous trails. The tires feature a deep herringbone pattern. It allows you to avoid slippage and improve traction with the road. In addition, there are additional grousers on the rear tires.
- For grass. Such rubber improves the behavior of the scooter on the field or lawn, thanks to the even distribution of the load. Most often, such tires are chosen for riding on the dacha or the countryside.
- For sand. On such rubber, there are special blades that help “take away” loose soil. The tread pattern resembles blocks. It is important to note that these are quite narrowly oriented tires, so you can use them only for driving on sand.
- For snow. Such tires are distinguished by a deep pattern, spikes and are even sometimes supplemented with chains.
- For sports. Racing tires are made of soft rubber and have small ledges, which increase the stability of the scooter on smooth tracks. Also the “shoulders” of sports tires are reinforced, allowing the vehicle to overcome the roughness.
But if you plan to ride on dirt, lawn, snow and other surfaces, then it is better to take universal tires. The fine pattern of the tires allows the ATV to feel good on any type of track.
Optimal wheel pressure
Even if you choose the best tires for the ATV, without proper maintenance their effectiveness will be low. This means that the rider needs to monitor the tire pressure and change it based on the peculiarities of the trails.
- When riding on flat surfaces like concrete, asphalt or dirt, the pressure in the wheels should be 0.49-0.88 atm.
- To ride on sand, the rider needs to reduce the values to 0.19-0.39 atm.
- When riding on soft trails (fields, swamps), you should set the pressure to 0.29-0.78 atm.