Big Red 250ES Tires

[Rider/KX CR 500]

I was asked this question in a PM and thought I would share with other members trying to decide what tires to buy.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p102/DrtBik/BigRedATC250ESa.jpg

That's a good looking BR you got! Are those ITP mudlites you have for tires? How does that front one do for the way the machine tracks/handles? I have a set on mine, but haven't gotten to ride it yet... (Had to seal coat the tank and do allot of other work to it) I should be able to take it for a spin on Monday...

Yes ITP Mud Lites. http://www.tiresunlimited.com/default.htm
This is my first 3 wheeler so I don't know how it should or should not handle. I just bought the bike 2 weeks ago. It had the original tires upon purchase. They were what I would call dry rotted. The side wall flexed big time compared to the new ITP's. I like how the new tires work on the bike. At very low speed in the gravel at the shop the front tire wants to skate. Not a big deal just give it more gas. In the grass or on the track behind the shop they work great. They work well in the mud. My first choice for the front was a Stryker by Carlisle. http://www.tiresunlimited.com/images/carlisle_atv/STRYKER.jpg It has more tread and I thought it would work better for my needs. Had it installed but the fork clearance was 1/16th on each side. I have a KLR650 and when the gooey mud gets on the tire it will bind up on the fork boots and twist them into a mess or rip them apart. I removed one of the rear wheels with the ITP Mud Lite AT http://www.tiresunlimited.com/images/itp_atv/ml_xl.jpg installed it and the clearance is more like the stock tire.
So far I would say I'm very happy with the ITP Mud Lite tires.

I added slow moving vehicle signs, in Oklahoma this makes me street legal (I think) to drive on the road between my farm and the folks farm. It's just 2 1/2 miles. I pull to the edge of the road and stop if a car is coming up from behind.
What do you guys think??

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p102/DrtBik/BigRedATC250ESSlowVehSign.jpg

Rider/KX CR 500

[Thorpe]

Here is my BR with the mudlites too... Tank and side covers are going to paint in 2 weeks!

[Thorpe]

OOOHHH.... Those mudlites are so sweet in the mud! Having a blast with the 3" of rain making mud around here! Wheelies through the mud and water is so much stupid fun.....

[Tri-ZNate]

I've always been partial to GBC Gators and I'll be installing them hopefully next month on my BR. Seems like everyone and their brother have Mud-Lites so I dont want them on my bikes.

http://www.gbcmotorsports.com/i/products/mud/gator_2.jpg

[ScottZJ]

Mud lites are not aggressive enough for the TN mud we have here. I also like the gators track, but they are just alittle heaiver than most. These are more open and let the mud clean out much better and being 12's the rims dont get clogged up either.

http://www.fototime.com/{F101DDD9-0D75-4047-BFCB-1515A0A5B7AC}/origpict/P7260001.JPG

http://www.fototime.com/{3FE0F279-A56A-457A-9058-1EFFE70CE28F}/origpict/P7260006.JPG

[atctim]

Have you guys thought about running your front tire backwards? I think it would steer better. Look at modern quad front tires - often times they look like they are mounted backwards - but actually are not.

[Thorpe]

Had thought about it, but doesnt seem to be a problem so far... But I dont have that many miles on them yet either....

[Coaltrain]

This first pic is of a set of 25x12-9 Deestone swampwitch tires I put on my '84 200es BigRed. They did so-so in the mud for my taste but most people would think they do extremely well. the problem with them on the 200es is lack of hp. You can't get the machine to spin them fast enough in really thick, sticky mud. In thin mud they did great. I took a steak knife and cut the shorter lugs out then took it back to the sticky stuff and they did 100% better. The mud chunk that gets packed in the lugs now is so huge and heavy it takes hardly any wheel spin to clean them out. I can just about idle through holes now that i had to spin to get through before I cut the tires. Now to answer the question before it gets asked: They ride just fine on hardpack and pavement, I don't notice much difference at all and suprisingly they dont buck and hop as bad as some other mud tires I've run like Highlifter Outlaws. This second pic is of a set of GBC Gators I had on my Kodiak. they pull great for most people in most situations, but they don't hold a candle to the Outlaws in pure nasty, swamp, I shouldn't be out here anyway mud, but then again they trail ride 1000 times better than the Outlaw and last alot longer too.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p274/bossofthemoss/IMG_3234.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p274/bossofthemoss/4wheeler004.jpg

[Thursday]

I was asked this question in a PM and thought I would share with other members trying to decide what tires to buy.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p102/DrtBik/BigRedATC250ESa.jpg

That's a good looking BR you got! Are those ITP mudlites you have for tires? How does that front one do for the way the machine tracks/handles? I have a set on mine, but haven't gotten to ride it yet... (Had to seal coat the tank and do allot of other work to it) I should be able to take it for a spin on Monday...

Yes ITP Mud Lites. http://www.tiresunlimited.com/default.htm
This is my first 3 wheeler so I don't know how it should or should not handle. I just bought the bike 2 weeks ago. It had the original tires upon purchase. They were what I would call dry rotted. The side wall flexed big time compared to the new ITP's. I like how the new tires work on the bike. At very low speed in the gravel at the shop the front tire wants to skate. Not a big deal just give it more gas. In the grass or on the track behind the shop they work great. They work well in the mud. My first choice for the front was a Stryker by Carlisle. http://www.tiresunlimited.com/images/carlisle_atv/STRYKER.jpg It has more tread and I thought it would work better for my needs. Had it installed but the fork clearance was 1/16th on each side. I have a KLR650 and when the gooey mud gets on the tire it will bind up on the fork boots and twist them into a mess or rip them apart. I removed one of the rear wheels with the ITP Mud Lite AT http://www.tiresunlimited.com/images/itp_atv/ml_xl.jpg installed it and the clearance is more like the stock tire.
So far I would say I'm very happy with the ITP Mud Lite tires.

I added slow moving vehicle signs, in Oklahoma this makes me street legal (I think) to drive on the road between my farm and the folks farm. It's just 2 1/2 miles. I pull to the edge of the road and stop if a car is coming up from behind.
What do you guys think??

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p102/DrtBik/BigRedATC250ESSlowVehSign.jpg

Rider/KX CR 500

Hey can you tell me what kind of trailer this is, and where I can get one?

Thanks,

Matt

[Tecate Karl]

lowes has one thats black

[Thursday]

Couldn't find anything on lowes.com it must be a local thing.

[powdiddy]

planned on getting mud bug tires for my 85 big red 2 years ago but couldn't find them anywhere in the size i needed.so i figured mudlites looked like the next best thing and i have to say i have not been disappointed in them.have a winch on my big red and have yet to use it.i still have the stock front tire which needs to go not enough bite to help turn it with those tires on the rear.but i also have 3'' wheel spacers on the back so stearing in mud and snow is tricky.

[Rider/KX CR 500]

It's a Kawasaki product, I'm not sure who manufactures it. List price is $470. It's very easy to assemble. I have a story about it though.
I have a friend that works in the parts dept. at one of the Kawasaki dealerships where I live. His boss, not the sharpest tool in the shed, had a Gov. bid for 10 mules. They ordered the mules and delivered them. A few days later the Gov. purchasing agent called and ordered 10 trailers, one for each of the mules. The parts manager ordered the trailers like the one pictured with my Big Red. The only problem, they wanted trailers to put the mules ON, to be pulled with a truck, not a pull BEHIND trailer. Over the years they sold a few at list price. About a year ago the parts manager quit and my friend was promoted to manager. The previous manager had order all kinds of parts that should not have been stocked. My friend was told to straighten up the parts department. He returned all the dead stock that he could for credit and sold what he could not return. He was ordered to drastically slash prices until all the dead stock was gone. The trailers were marked down 50 percent and a few sold. Then 75 percent a few more sold.
The day after I bought the Big Red I was at the bike shop getting a tube for one of my bikes and I was telling my friend about the Big Red. He asked "Isn't the Big Red more of a utility 3 wheeler?" I told him yes, it even has a spot for a ball to pull a trailer.
They had 3 trailers left. The boxes were falling apart and parts were laying on the floor next to them.
If I bought all 3 I could have them for $100 dollars each, in "as is condition." The boxes were the only problem. All the parts were there.
All I could say is "SCORE".
They are great trailers, the tongue folds up so you can use it as a wheelbarrow, it's dump bed and the tailgate works like a dump truck tailgate or you can just lift the gate off if you don't need it.


http://www.kawasaki.com/KawasakiNew/Accessories2/PCItemDetail.aspx?ItemNumber=KAF00013&Reason=6&intCatalogID=1&intCatalogType=8&ProductTypeID=17&ModelMarketingId=603&ModelYear=2011&CategoryID=11

[Thursday]

It's a Kawasaki product, I'm not sure who manufactures it. List price is $470. It's very easy to assemble. I have a story about it though.
I have a friend that works in the parts dept. at one of the Kawasaki dealerships where I live. His boss, not the sharpest tool in the shed, had a Gov. bid for 10 mules. They ordered the mules and delivered them. A few days later the Gov. purchasing agent called and ordered 10 trailers, one for each of the mules. The parts manager ordered the trailers like the one pictured with my Big Red. The only problem, they wanted trailers to put the mules ON, to be pulled with a truck, not a pull BEHIND trailer. Over the years they sold a few at list price. About a year ago the parts manager quit and my friend was promoted to manager. The previous manager had order all kinds of parts that should not have been stocked. My friend was told to straighten up the parts department. He returned all the dead stock that he could for credit and sold what he could not return. He was ordered to drastically slash prices until all the dead stock was gone. The trailers were marked down 50 percent and a few sold. Then 75 percent a few more sold.
The day after I bought the Big Red I was at the bike shop getting a tube for one of my bikes and I was telling my friend about the Big Red. He asked "Isn't the Big Red more of a utility 3 wheeler?" I told him yes, it even has a spot for a ball to pull a trailer.
They had 3 trailers left. The boxes were falling apart and parts were laying on the floor next to them.
If I bought all 3 I could have them for $100 dollars each, in "as is condition." The boxes were the only problem. All the parts were there.
All I could say is "SCORE".
They are great trailers, the tongue folds up so you can use it as a wheelbarrow, it's dump bed and the tailgate works like a dump truck tailgate or you can just lift the gate off if you don't need it.


http://www.kawasaki.com/KawasakiNew/Accessories2/PCItemDetail.aspx?ItemNumber=KAF00013&Reason=6&intCatalogID=1&intCatalogType=8&ProductTypeID=17&ModelMarketingId=603&ModelYear=2011&CategoryID=11

So did you buy all 3 and can I buy one off you?

[oscarmayer]

HP? you want more HP? pm me, and I'll tellya exactly how to make that 200cc engine scream!!!!

[Rider/KX CR 500]

I did buy all 3. I use all 3, at different properties.

[MotorCity]

How much $$$ are the tires talked about in this thread? I'm considering upgrading the tires on my 1985 250ES. My buddy is telling me to get "wooleyboggers". Are these tires even made any more? He had them on his 1984 big red 200.

I"d like to have a tire that is good in the snow (say, up to a foot or so), so I can drag my ice fishing stuff out. I have tire chains that I bought for the stock tire size. I'd also like the tires to be decent in the mud.

So what do you guys recommend, what are the prices of the tires, and where can I get them?

[Rider/KX CR 500]

I put a link in the first post, that's where I bought the Mud Lites. I found very few tires that fit the wheel. Some will fit the wheel but not the forks. Let us know if you find different tires that fit.

[Thursday]

I did buy all 3. I use all 3, at different properties.

But, we're in the season of giving!

[200SXRIDER]

OK I need more specifics. I went to the tires unlimited web site but the y have several different variets of Mud lites XL,XXL,XP AND XTR i WOULD LIKE THE 6PLY CAUSE THEY Are tougher longer lasting, less puncture lasting. but still light weight.

Can you give me more specifics as to what exact tires you bought that fit?????

Same tires front and back???

Did you need any spacers on the rear for clearance????


Thank you for the specifics, I appreciate the help and I know others will also.
David

[Jason125m]

Those look like Mudlite at's( plus he says what they are in OP's first post. ). You wont need spacers or have clearance issues.

[Thorpe]

With stock wheels, no spacers needed. I had to space my front wheel, but that was the wheels fault, not the tires. ITP Mudlites only come in the AT in 25x12x9....

[Rider/KX CR 500]

Yes, like Jason says, no fitment issues rear or with the forks, all 3 the same tire. No mud issues with the forks but I use it for utility purposes and I've never had it in the kind of mud I run my quad or motocross bikes through. As listed on the tire.
ITP MUD LITE 25x12-9 6ply. Shop around on price, tires unlimited were high and charged shipping on the last set of dirtbike tires I was going to buy from them.

[Mondexbrute]

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy78/crazyquadrider83/SDC10666.jpg

[Lil Earl]

where did you get the camo fenders?

[Mondexbrute]

its camo wrap, it already came off.

[1985bigred]

sweet bikes i need help putting rear breaks on a 1985 big red 250 all help appricated!!!

email me if possible your reply: j.mckinney14@ymail.com

[big red hemi]

i have mud lites on the back of my 85 red. ive been happy with them. im now looking for a front tire and want to go with a mud light.

do they steer well?
what air pressure is best to run out front?
will the stock 25-12-9 fit? they look so much bigger

thnaks

[mrmello]

Mud bugs look good and work great on the BR as well. The Maxxis Rims help as well.

Not mine my Brother in laws.
121494

[big red hemi]

Mud bugs look good and work great on the BR as well. The Maxxis Rims help as well.

Not mine my Brother in laws.
121494

thanks bro

[Thorpe]

^^ You can mudlite the front... It steers just fine....

[MojaveRider223]

I just picked up an 85 BR tonight, and it could use a set of tires (I think it has 3 different tread patterns on it right now). I don't need a full on mud tire, just a reasonable AT tire. Is the Mud Lite still a good choice?

[Jason125m]

Mudlites are a good choice, i prefer Kenda Bearclaws over them though..

[MojaveRider223]

Mudlites are a good choice, i prefer Kenda Bearclaws over them though..

Those are pricey, $40 more per tire over the Mudlites.

[Jason125m]

Yeah... thats the downside haha.. for the price, Mudlites are great though.

[3Wheelingfool]

I got the GBC DirtDevils on mine.

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz181/TeryxMudder/Honda%20Three%20wheeler/DSCN0098.jpg

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz181/TeryxMudder/Honda%20Three%20wheeler/SANY0059.jpg

[Fungo Wizard]

Man there is some nice BR's on here. I just agreed to buy another one about 5 hours away. The guy just happens to be picking something up 15 miles from me and is hauling it to me. I bet I am using this post to pick out new tires for it though.

[MojaveRider223]

After searching around for a good yet inexpensive tire, I found that Dennis Kirk had 25x12x9 Dirt Devil II's on clearance for $75 each. With shipping a set of 3 was just under $240, definitely the cheapest option for an aggressive 6 ply tire. They had 8 on hand, and I bought 3, so another set left if someone wants a good deal.

[250Eddie]

I got the GBC DirtDevils on mine.

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz181/TeryxMudder/Honda%20Three%20wheeler/DSCN0098.jpg

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz181/TeryxMudder/Honda%20Three%20wheeler/SANY0059.jpg


The dirt devils are good tires and they grip when there new and nvr ridin on the streets, i just took the pair of dirt devils off my dads big red and put some GBC gators , they grip good and throw mud like crazy.

PS something told me mondex was gonna post a pic of his BR =)