Best Tires For Polaris Sportsman | Hunt or Shred

A mediocre set of tires won't match your powerful Polaris Sportsman ATV. So, how do you get the best tires for the Polaris Sportsman?

The Polaris Sportsman range is the best 4x4 automatic ATV out right now. This means you should only install the best tires to get the best out of your ATV. My top tire picks include the SunF A033 Power.I All-Terrain tires, GCB Grim Reaper Radial Tires, Maxxis 4-Snow, and Kenda Snow Mad K584 tires. 

The Polaris Sportsman is an ATV range especially designed for sports and recreational activities. But it will only perform well if it has the right tire set with the best qualities to handle various types of terrain. While you'll see bundles of tires in the market, each claiming to be the best, you need to know which tire is the best according to your needs and what value it adds to your ATV. If you've been there, you know what I mean.

This article will help you choose only the best tires for multipurpose use so you can get the best bang for your buck. The tires mentioned in this article are by no means random and are picked after thorough research and use. You will also find tips and FAQs regarding ATV tire buying so you can make a well-informed decision when buying tires.

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The Best Tires for Polaris Sportsman ATVs

These are the best tires for your Polaris Sportsman ATV, which you can easily get your hands on.

SunF A033 Power.I All-Terrain tires

If you are ever in doubt, do yourself a favor and pick the SunF A033 Power.I All-Terrain tires. These tires are the best overall tires you can get for your Sportsman at the fairest prices. For starters, SunF is a reputable brand, and they are known for constantly evolving their technology through research and development to make tougher and lighter tires.

These SunF tires come individually and in a set of four with two front tires and two rear tires with slightly more width to support more load capacity and increased balance. These tires are compatible with multiple terrains due to their smart and unique tread pattern, which is also one of the reasons I find this tire to be one of the most versatile. It consists of distinctive lugs with dynamic angles allowing it to grip several terrains, including mud, snow, rocks, and wood.

The SunF tires provide value for your money as high-grade rubber is used to build these tires with a six-ply rating. The tough build comes in handy when traversing on hard and rocky terrains with ragged paths. The six plies allow the tire to withstand such abuse and protect it from easily puncturing and tearing. The tread has a wrap-around feature covering the sidewalls and protecting them from harmful elements.

The tire boasts an 0.82-inch tread depth with reinforced lugs making traction not a problem for you on intermediate to loose trails. With that tread depth and pattern, you can almost picture yourself riding through the forest with jagged roots and water-logged soil. But if you ride more in deep and sloppy mud, you should consider checking out the mud trail tires.

Features

  • Tire size: Front – 25×8-12; Rear – 25×10-12
  • Section Width: 8 Inches
  • Rim size: 12 Inches
  • Tire diameter: 25 Inches
  • Tread Depth: 0.82-inches
  • Load Index: 70.0
  • Symmetrical tread
  • Shoulder protection

Pros

  • High-performing across all terrains
  • Durable
  • Unique tread pattern
  • Very good load capacity
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Some users have shown concerns about the tire's longevity.

You can buy these tires from SunF online store starting at $69.99.

GBC Grim Reaper Radial Tires

Before hearing about GBC tires, you will hear about many brands such as Wanda, EFX, ITP, and Carlisle. GBC might be an underdog in the tire manufacturing world, but I was lucky enough to experience an ATV ride with these tires on some tricky trails, and I was blown away by the tire's responsiveness. That's why these are the runner-ups on this list of best tires for your Polaris Sportsman.

Although one of the lesser-known brands, GBC tires are more expensive than SunF tires. The Grim Reaper Radial tires have an eight-ply rating making them stronger and tougher. You can ride on more demanding terrains with these tires without worrying about damage to them or your ATV. The stronger build also helps in hauling heavier loads on your ATV for longer periods. This makes them the perfect tire set for farming, hunting, and caping purposes.

If you're worried about the handling you will have with these tires, don't worry. The Grim reaper tires have a staggering 0.94 inches tread depth that provides sufficient traction when faced with sturdy and sticky mud. This tread depth is significantly more than its competitors, which makes it one of the best tires for your Polaris Sportsman.

While we talk about traction, this tire's tread pattern is notable. It has a directional pattern with angled knobs and Grim-like treads in the center. In case you were wondering, that's how the name is derived. This tread pattern aids extraordinarily in deep mud by helping you dig into the damp mud and excelling your ATV forward. Several users have heaped praise over these tires, reporting superb traction in tough conditions.

The Grim Reaper tires also provide a smooth ride on-road at higher speed apart from performing well on rougher terrains. As mentioned earlier, these tires are priced higher than other tires on the list, but they are still cheaper than other brands' tires with the same features. This makes these tires worth your investment.

Pros

  • Enhanced traction with larger lugs
  • Tough build with an eight-ply rating
  • Smooth ride
  • Quiet ride
  • Durable

Cons

  • A bit expensive
  • Complicated mounting

You can get this tire starting from $95.87 through GBC dealerships on Amazon.

Maxxis 4-Snow Tires

In most guides, you will find some good tires but are limited to the all-terrain category. While all-terrain tires perform well in mud and snow, they slightly fall more towards the mud-trail category because they lack the specific structure to deal with slippery snow, which can be dangerous. The Maxxis 4-Snow tires are undoubtedly one of the best snow tires you can find. Not many manufacturers design snow-specific tires. However, if you live in a winter land or have snowy terrains for most of the year, you should get your hands on this tire set.

The Maxxis 4-Snow tire is made with a high-quality rubber that is softer and more flexible than those in mud tires, so it has more ground contact to keep your ATV stable. Remember that these tires have a two-ply rating which helps increase flexibility. So try not to take them out on mud or hard surfaces; otherwise, you will soon need to buy another set of tires. These tires are also lightweight, so they expand while riding, ultimately increasing your control over the sloppy snow.

The make of these tires not only make them great for traversing in snow, but they perform excellently in the sand as well. Unlike most mud tires that get stuck in soft sand, these tires stay up and keep you running, courtesy of their flexibility. A unique feature of this tire that took me by surprise is the reversible tread pattern. The tread pattern has dual-use. One side is for digging in the surface to paddle you through, and the other is for optimum traction.

With this tire, you no longer have to lock your ATV in the garage over the winter. Mount these tires, convert your ATV into a snowmobile, and conquer those blanketed terrains.

Pros

  • High-performing in snow and sand
  • Reversible tread pattern for enhanced traction
  • Stable ride in slush

Cons

  • Not best for mud and warm weather

You can buy these tires starting at $115.00 from Maxxis' dealerships.

Kenda Snow Mad K584 Tires 

The Kenda Snow Mad K584 tires are the last but not the least on this list. If you are tired of not riding your ATV throughout the winter and feel left out while enthusiasts ride on full throttle in the snow trails, this tire is the miracle you need. While mud-specific tires are usable in snow and slushy roads, they reduce your speed significantly. With the Kenda Snow Mad tires, you can enjoy your Polaris Sportsman to the full extent in winters.

Generally, all snow-specific tires are made of two-ply rating, and the same is the case with these tires. Don't be surprised. This is to allow more flexibility in the tires. Low temperatures harden the tire's rubber, resulting in cracks, ultimately wearing out quickly. The flexibility allows the rubber to stay in the best shape. Moreover, increased flexibility also makes these tires gain more ground contact resulting in better handling.

The tire's performance is supported by the snow-specific tread pattern, which consists of a pliable tread compound that keeps your ATV's traction intact. While it doesn't have a reversible tread pattern like its competitor — Maxxis 4-Snow tire, the performance is equally applaudable because of the computer-engineered lightweight construction of the tire. The lightweight quality allows expanding of the tire to cover more ground at higher speeds while it easily rolls over obstacles.

Furthermore, riding in snow with these tires mounted on your Sportsman feels like caressing over the wind. On the other hand, when you need sharp responsiveness from the tires, they do not disappoint. The tire aids in slowing you down as soon as you hit the brakes. Unsurprisingly, professionals worldwide recommend this tire for sports and recreational activities in the winter.

Apparently, these tires perform well in sandy terrains just as well. However, you should not use these tires in muddy conditions or warm areas. The low ply rating causes the tire to wear out quickly against the heat. In comparison, the lightweight quality also adds to the vehicle's speed and lowers the fuel consumption of your ATV. This tire costs a bit higher than its competitors since only a few brands make snow-specific tires.

Pros

  • High performing on snow and sand terrains
  • Can handle slushy roads
  • Lightweight
  • Flexible
  • High responsiveness at great speed

Cons

  • Not good for warm weather and muddy terrain
  • Expensive

You can buy this tire starting at $100.00 from Kenda's online store.

How to Pick the Right Tire for Your Polaris Sportsman?

  • Firstly, you need to define the budget. Several exceptional tires out there are priced from $60 to $250. So before looking at anything else, you can limit your options by sorting them in a price range.
  • Secondly, choose what kind of tire you need. Different tires serve different purposes. There are mud-specific tires, all-terrain tires, and snow-specific tires. Defining your purpose will help you cut down your options further.
  • Thirdly, focus on what tread pattern and lug height will suit your needs the most. While a directional pattern is great for muddy terrains, it might not be what you need for riding on the street. Once you have done this, you're one step away from picking the right tire for your ATV.
  • Lastly, choose from a handful of options after researching thoroughly. Also, ensure you buy directly from brand stores or enlisted dealerships. There are a lot of copycats out there; stay safe!

Voila! By following these steps, you can pick the right tire for your ATV. We hope this guide addresses your concerns.

About THE AUTHOR

Kellie

Kellie

23 years old. I work at a motocross store where we specialize in gear, parts, and apparel for ATV and UTV riders.

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