{"id":4320,"date":"2011-07-07T11:06:40","date_gmt":"2011-07-07T11:06:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/utvguide.dev\/trip_report_rubicon_day_trip_july2011\/"},"modified":"2016-10-12T15:32:20","modified_gmt":"2016-10-12T15:32:20","slug":"trip_report_rubicon_day_trip_july2011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/utvguide.net\/trip_report_rubicon_day_trip_july2011\/","title":{"rendered":"Light Truck Tire Test on the Rubicon Trail"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
Testing 31-inch Tires on the Rubicon Trail<\/p>\n

\"Kawasaki
2011 Kawasaki Teryx on the Rubicon Trail<\/p>\n

I have been on a fast track build for my 2011 Kawasaki Teryx. Phase One was completed just in time to got toMoab for Rally on the Rocks<\/a> in May. The Teryx performed beyond my expectations and I was eager to get some more riding in, and continue with the buildup.<\/p>\n

\"Pit<\/a>First-up on my agenda was bigger tires and wheels.\u00a0 I have been watching with interest as people have put light truck tires on their UTVs. The build that pushed me over the top wasJagged X’s Polaris RZR XP<\/a> desert race car with 30″ BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2s on it. One of the issues with LT tires, is stepping up to a 15″ wheel.\u00a0 12″ and 14″ wheels are much more prevalent and beadlocks are only available as a custom made item. I have been a huge fan ofOMF Performance Billet Center Beadlock wheels<\/a>, and decided that I would see if they could build a set in a 15″. After talking with Bones @ OMF, the answer was yes, but it will take us a few weeks to get the design sorted out.<\/p>\n

With the wheel choice in hand, I set about looking into tires.\u00a0 I have been using a 26.5″ Rocker ATV\/UTV tire with great success, so\u00a0 I decided to talk with Mike at Pit Bull Tires to see what he thought. Their smallest LT tire is a31X1150-15LT Growler<\/a>. This was a little bigger than I wanted, but I decided to give them a try.<\/p>\n

\"Kawasaki<\/a>With the new tires and wheels all mounted up on my Teryx, I had the itch bad to try them out in the rocks. I twisted my buddy Dave’s arm to head up to the Rubicon for a quick day trip so I could test some new tires and wheels on my Teryx.\u00a0 For those of you that have met Dave, you know the arm twisting is a bit of a stretch.\u00a0 Dave is pretty much up for anything.\u00a0 He has a 2011 Polaris RZR XP with a set of Pro Armor doors and a set of 26.5″ Pit Bull Rocker tires and loves to play in the rocks.<\/p>\n

We decided to park at Loon Lake and head in towards Little Sluice. It was a Sunday, so I knew we would be fighting upstream against the 4×4’s coming out from their weekend, but we weren’t on any strict schedule and knew we could turn around at any point in time if necessary.<\/p>\n

\"Kawasaki<\/a>Once we hit the trail, it took a little bit to get used to being higher in the air. The tires are huge, and weigh 10+ lbs. more each than what I had on there before, but even with the stock engine, I was able to move along without too much effort.\u00a0 Clutching was off a bit, but I have a Dalton adjustable clutch and that will be tailored to the big meat this week.<\/p>\n

Rocks that I used to have to put a tire on to get by, were now passing effortlessly under my Factory UTV UHMW skid plate.\u00a0 My Teryx was transformed into a mini rock buggy!<\/p>\n

With the huge amount of rubber under my Teryx, the Wicked Bilt power steering I had installed was now more important than ever.\u00a0 Steering was firm, but easy to use. I recommend power steering in general on any UTV, but with this much tire, it is a necessity.<\/p>\n

31″ tires are a little larger than I had in mind for overall use, but for the rocks I am a huge fan.\u00a0 I do have a few clearance issues than I need to work on with tires hitting plastic, and I am not so sure I would use a 31″ tire for desert (especially without trimming even more plastic).<\/p>\n

Next up:<\/b><\/p>\n

Phase Two our of buildup is underway as I type.\u00a0 Big tires and wheels were the first step, and with this trip I know what to adjust with the Dalton clutch kit.\u00a0 But the even bigger part of this phase is more power.\u00a0 Just last night, a crate showed up with a new 916cc Muzzys<\/a> engine.\u00a0 The swap will start today, and I hope to have it ready for a longer trip to the Rubicon next week!<\/p>\n

More Photos:<\/b><\/p>\n

\"2011<\/a>\"2011<\/a>\"2011<\/a>\"2011<\/a><\/p>\n

\"2011<\/a>\"2011<\/a>\"2011<\/a>\"2011<\/a><\/p>\n

Links:<\/b><\/p>\n