What Separates Great ATV Tires From Bad Tires

Almost one out of four Americans own an ATV, but not all ATV owners are well-versed in proper ATV tire care and maintenance. This can lead to long-term ATV tire troubles.

However, being able to tell when your tires need to be replaced is half the battle. The other half is knowing a quality tire from a crummy one. Keep reading to explore the differences between great ATV tires and bad ones!

Signs and Symptoms of Bad ATV Tires

If you’ve never changed your ATV’s tires and you purchased it directly from a dealer, chances are, it’s got some fairly bald, basic tires sitting on it. This type of tire is unlikely to last for very long, and it’s even less likely to make it through slippery obstacles like muddy pathways or pebble-strewn hillsides.

Bad ATV tires tend to have little to no grip and are made of very thin rubber. They may constantly deflate or need consistent repair. In fact, if you’ve already performed repairs on one or more of your ATV’s tired, you’re overdue for another set.

If you replaced a single tire in the past but did not replace the others, there’s a good chance that your original tires need to be changed. However, buying a full set is a smarter option, as you won’t need to continue following the same replacement pattern. Also, tire sets tend to be more inexpensive than single replacements, especially over the long-run.

Finally, if you notice any rips or tears around your tire’s sidewalls or tread, new tires are in order. Failing to replace obviously damaged ATV tires can result in injury, damage to the vehicle, or worse.

How to Find Great ATV Tires

To find the best ATV tires, it’s helpful to have a certain set of features in mind. Also, you may want to record the model and type of tire that came with the vehicle, as replacement tires are easier to locate and purchase.

By following these simple rules, you can find and secure the best ATV tires!

Pay Attention to Manufacturer Guidelines

The first thing you should do when looking to replace your ATV’s tires is to identify what size and type of tire the vehicle manufacturer recommends. This recommendation should include a tire height, diameter, and width and be displayed as three-number code.

Most ATV tires are between 20 inches and 26 inches tall and between 7 inches and 11 inches wide. If a diameter is not listed on the maker’s guidelines and recommendations, you can easily measure the diameter of your old tires to get a fair estimate of what tires you may need.

Of course, you can also choose to contact a team of parts specialists. These experts can quickly and easily answer any question you may have about replacement ATV tires!

Choose a Terrain-Appropriate Tire

Once you have a good idea of what size tire or tires you’ll need, it’s time to choose a tread type. Most ATV tires have a reasonably thick tread pattern to help the vehicle handle off-road environments and hazards. However, there’s still a great deal of variation among ATV tires.

Sand Tires

Sand tires have a very specialized type of tread that look and work like paddles. In this way, sand tires help an ATV “swim” through sandy environments.

Mud Tires

Mud tires are the most common type of tire that you’re likely to find on an ATV. They tend to have supportive treads that trail away from the center of the tire. This allows mud to slide through the gaps in the treads while ensuring that the vehicle remains stable.

Snow Tires

Snow tires are not a standard type of ATV tire, but mud tires with chains tend to work well in snowy environments.

Rocky Terrain Tires

The tread on rocky terrain tires is far more compact and solid than that on any other type of ATV tire.

Sport Tires

If you typically use your ATV for motorsports or Powersports, sport tires (also known as racing tires) may be the best option for you. They’re designed to work well on asphalt and off-road surfaces, and they typically feature a grid-like pattern of knobby treads.

Search Online and In-Person

To find the best ATV tires for your vehicle, you’ll want to search both online and in-store. Doing so will prevent you from missing any killer deals or discounts. However, it’s important to note that online shopping has some particular benefits that in-store shopping simply cannot compete with.

When you shop online, you have access to thousands — and potentially hundreds of thousands — of options. Consequently, you may be able to find the perfect set of ATV tires for an incredible price online! However, shipping costs, taxes, and hidden fees can often inflate the initial purchase cost.

Alternately, in-store shopping eliminates shipping costs and is the fastest option available. However, shopping at a physical location means you have fewer price options from which to choose.

Replace Them All

When one tire needs to be replaced, it’s usually not long before they all need to be replaced. This is true of both cars and ATVs! Consequently, while you may only be having issues with one tire, it’s smart to go ahead and order a full replacement set.

Also, ordering a set, rather than a single tire, is more cost-effective. Most ATV mechanics and supply shops offer discounts on sets, but not on single tires. So while an entire replacement set might be more costly in the short-term, it can really benefit you in the long-term!

The Best Tires Are Only a Phone Call Away!

Finding the best ATV tire doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Following manufacturer guidelines and recommendations, choosing terrain-appropriate tires, and browsing online and in-person options can make ordering new tires a breeze.

If you’re looking for the highest-quality ATV tires, you can end your search early! The experienced team at Westshore Marine & Leisure can help you find the exact parts you need. Great ATV tires aren’t a rare commodity — they’re a necessity!

Get the wheels rolling on ordering new ATV tires! Call or email today for more information!