There are many different types of terrains that you will be able to ride your ATV through. Whatever the type of terrain is, you are going to need to proper equipment to get through it. One of those pieces of equipment would be the proper atv tires.
There are 4 different types of tires that you can get for your quad. Each tire is used for a specific purpose. It is greatly beneficial to use the proper tire when you are out riding, based on the type of terrain you are in. These are the 4 different types of tires.
All Terrain Tires
First things first, your All Terrain tires. These are crossover tires to any terrain. These are also the tires that is more than likely going to already be on your ATV when you buy it. They are for every terrain.
You can ride them in the sand, the woods, the mud. Now just because you can ride them in these terrains, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. You pose the problem of getting stuck depending on how questionable the area is in the first place. That’s why they make special atv tires for different, more advanced terrains.
The All Terrain tire has a combination of “lugs” and “knobs.” The lugs are used to grab and throw material behind you. The knobs are used for traction and control. That is why there is a combination of both of these for them to be suitable in most conditions.
Motocross/Racing Tires
When you’re racing you generally want to be fast in order to win… So you need the right gear and yes, the right tires. Motocross tires are very special. They are really light-weight, and softer. They aren’t as stiff as all of the other tires, they have a lot more bend to them.
These tires have “knobs” all around them. The reason this is, is because with the knobs all over the tires, it allows for a lot better traction and control in a loose terrain environment like a race track. These tires are not as durable as the rest of the different tires because of the lightweight and thickness of the rubber. So you if you’re a racer, you will go through some of these tires for sure.
Mud Tires
We all know mud. It’s thick, wet, dirty, and fun. If you have ever tried to go through a 4 ft. deep mud pit in your regular all terrain tires, then you know what I am talking about. It probably didn’t end well for you. That is why you need to get mud tires.
Mud tires have very thick rubber compound with gaps in between what are called the “lugs.” I like to call them paddles. They are basically very thick grooves of rubber that stick out of the tire. I call them paddles because I think of a snowmobile track. These paddles on the mud tires allow the tires to throw back or scoop mud then they are spinning.
Mud tires are crazy to me because you can almost drive on water with those tires if your lugs are big and long enough. The tires spin fast enough to where it’s almost like they turn into a prop on a boat and just fling water back and make you cruise across water. If you have the proper mud tire, you won’t need to worry about getting stuck when you and your buddies go mud bogging.
Sand Tires
Traveling through the sand in your all terrain tires, or any other tire for that matter, can pose a problem. The sand is very light and squishy, not really giving the tire something to grab onto and get some traction. That is why they invented the sand tires.
Sand tires are very unique. The rear tires are designed to almost “scoop” the sand. They have very thick paddles on the back, allowing you to gain some traction when going through the dunes. The front tires are even different from the rear. They have almost like a ribbed center line in the tire, allowing the rider to steer better. This almost creates a path for the ATV to follow through. All terrain tires will work in the sand, it just won’t work as good as you want them too. You won’t have hardly any traction and you will be sliding around a lot more than you want to. It is fun, but the performance of the ATV won’t even be close to its full potential.
Be wary. Riding in the sand is a lot different than any other terrain. You’re handling is going to be a lot more lackadaisical and you’re going to be swerving around a lot. I recommend taking it easy the first time you ride on sand until you get the hang of it.
If you thought this post about ATV tires was helpful, be sure to check out our other posts related to ATV’s here.
