Off-Road Tires
When you’re cornering on a rough trail, the last thing you want to be worried about is whether you’ve got the right tires gripping and kicking under your ATV or UTV. Thrill and excitement are the only things you want to feel on the trail. The wrong tires will affect rider handling and vehicle performance, so make sure you’ve done your research and taken care of your tires ahead of time.
At Destination Powersports, we want our customers properly equipped for all their off-road adventures, so we’ve put together this short guide to help you understand off-road tire anatomy and how different terrains might require different tires. When you’re ready to get yourself some new tires, or you just want to look at our great selection of ATVs and UTVs, head to our dealership in Punta Gorda, Florida, near Cape Coral and Fort Myers.
Tread Design
There are three factors to consider in off-road tires: knob size, tread depth, and pattern shape. Knob size is how much of the tire surface touches the ground. Bigger knob size means more contact and better traction. Tread depth is how much the tires will displace soft material and grip the ground beneath. Deeper treads displace more dirt and other material, so they’re best suited for trails and terrain that have a lot of loose debris on the ground. Pattern shape refers to the grooves in a tire’s surface. Some patterns are designed for better traction in wet conditions, while others are better for dry terrain.
Types of Terrain
What type of tire you decide on will have a lot to do with the trails you plan to ride. These are some of the most common classifications of off-road trails as well as tires to go along with them.
Hard Terrain
Packed dirt and rocky trails need lower tread depth and a greater density of shorter knobs. Rather than digging deep through debris to get traction, all you’ll have to grip on a hard trail is the ground. Extra tread depth won’t do anything if there isn’t anything to displace, and long knobs will just get in the way when riding over hard or flat surfaces. A solid set of hard-terrain tires should caress the ground to increase flexibility and handling for a smoother ride.
Soft Terrain
The opposite of hard-terrain tires, soft terrain needs longer knobs and deep treads to deal with loose ground. The knobs are spread out so they can kick mud, gravel, and sand out of the tread, giving better traction. More knobs are placed on the side of the tire and will help grip the softer ground during tough corners.
The complications of these designs mean that you’ll often want differences between front and rear tires. Raised paddles on the rear tire might slow you down on hard terrain, but they’ll let you glide over soft ground.
Intermediate Terrain
There’s terrain that’s a bit too soft for hard-terrain tires and firmer than what soft-terrain necessitates. These are intermediate trails, and tires specialized to ride them offer compromises for riders of both types of terrain. Their knobs are long and close together, but the tread depth is a bit lower, making them good for traction on loose ground and a smooth ride for the bumps of a hard trail. Intermediate terrain tires are great for riders regularly moving between different types of trails or those who want a single solution without care for peak performance between trail types.
When to Replace Off-Road Tires
An irregular shape, worn out treads, or puncture holes indicate it’s time to replace your ATV or UTV tires. It’s easy to overlook uneven wear, so make sure all tires are in similar condition and consider rotation if there’s a noticeable difference. Cupping or scalping along the tread can also be signs you need new tires. Cracks occur when the tire’s rubber gets too old and begins to harden. One of the best ways to figure when tires need changing is their age — five years is the maximum amount of time you want to leave the same tires on your vehicle. Check the manufacture date (likely printed on the side of the tire) for a general idea of when to replace your tires, but be aware of cracking that appears before then that could be a sign your tires are ready to be switched out.
Whether you want to ride hard mountain trails or softer forest paths, the right tires can be the difference between a bumpy ride and a heck of a time on your ATV or UTV. For all your powersport tire needs, visit Destination Powersports, where our friendly and knowledgeable staff is ready to help you find what you’re looking for. We’re located in Punta Gorda, Florida. Come in today and experience our superior service and selection!