GBC Motorsports introduced a new 10-ply-rated version of the Kanati Mongrel radial UTV tire in May 2016. The revised construction was designed to provide greater puncture resistance and durability for the increasingly powerful and heavier side-by-sides entering the market.
Editor’s note: This article covers the tire lineup announced in 2016. Available sizes and product branding may have changed since its original publication.
Kanati Mongrel Moves to 10-Ply-Rated Construction
The Kanati Mongrel originally debuted in 2012 as a radial, DOT-marked tire developed specifically for side-by-sides. Four years later, GBC Motorsports re-engineered its carcass and sidewall to carry a 10-ply rating while attempting to keep overall tire weight under control.
A tire’s ply rating describes its equivalent load-carrying strength rather than the literal number of fabric layers inside its carcass. The higher rating was intended to improve resistance to punctures and sidewall damage while supporting the greater weight, horsepower and speed of newer sport UTVs.
The Mongrel’s tightly spaced, light-truck-inspired tread pattern was designed for mixed terrain, including hardpack, desert trails and rocks. Its radial construction also helped provide a smoother ride than many of the more aggressively constructed tires available at the time.
We subsequently included the 30x10R14 Mongrel in our 2016 30-inch UTV tire shootout. The test evaluated seven tires on rocks and a hardpack short course using a Polaris GENERAL. Our Mongrel measured 29 5/8 inches tall, weighed 35 pounds and carried a published maximum load rating of 936 pounds.
2016 GBC Kanati Mongrel Tire Sizes
GBC offered the 10-ply-rated Mongrel for 12-, 14- and 15-inch wheels. The following sizes reflect the lineup announced in May 2016:
| Wheel Diameter | Announced Tire Sizes |
|---|---|
| 12-inch | 25×8.00R12 25×10.00R12 26×10.00R12 27×9.00R12 27×11.00R12 |
| 14-inch | 27×9.00R14 27×11.00R14 28×10.00R14 30×10.00R14 32×10.00R14 |
| 15-inch | 28×10.00R15 30×10.00R15 32×10.00R15 |
The 25×8.00R12 and 25×10.00R12 sizes were scheduled to arrive during summer 2016.
The larger sizes built upon GBC’s earlier expansion of the lineup, including the introduction of a 32-inch Kanati Mongrel UTV tire. GBC later added additional Mongrel sizes for smaller UTVs.
A Versatile UTV Tire for Mixed Terrain
The Mongrel was positioned as an all-purpose alternative to specialized mud, sand or rock-crawling tires. Its relatively close tread spacing favored predictable hardpack handling and a smoother ride, while the radial carcass retained enough flexibility to conform to rocks at an appropriate tire pressure.
During our 2016 comparison, testers found that the Mongrel delivered predictable handling on hardpack and useful sidewall flex in the rocks. Its traction was not as aggressive as some of the more specialized tires in the group, but its balanced performance made it suitable for UTV owners who regularly encounter several types of terrain.
Current product details and availability can be checked through the official GBC Mongrel product page.
