Finding The Right ATV Tires

Whether you’re splashing through the mud, cruising through the dunes, or exploring the woods, your ATV is well-named—it can handle any and all terrains! But your machine relies on the proper tires to deal with some of the most difficult landscapes, and there are tires designed specifically for these conditions. It’s important to have the right tires mounted for the riding you’ll be doing.

We here at The Sports Center know it can be hard to sort through all the types and what they’re used for, so we’ve put together this guide to get you started! If you need more ATV advice, or you’re just looking for a new ATV to try these tips out with, contact our store in Perry, Georgia. Our friendly and experienced staff will work with you to find what you need at the prices you want.

Off-Roading

Most ATVs (also called “quads” and “four-wheelers”) will come off the lot equipped with a classic and flexible off-road or all-terrain tire. These are designed with extra knobs and tread to ensure they can take a serious beating and give as good as they get. They can handle a wide range of general off-roading, whether you’re working the farm or just doing laps at your favorite track. The treads on these will often be between a fraction of an inch to a full inch deep and are closely aligned to provide you with maximum traction on many types of surfaces. 

Mudding

Some people see storm clouds and think all their plans are ruined, but others see them and get excited—soon, there will be mud to ride through! If you’re part of that second group, you’re going to want to invest in special mudding tires. These are designed to ensure your four-wheeler has the traction it needs to avoid skidding or slipping through the mud. Tall lugs grip deep into the mud to provide stability. You may want to have your quad lifted or have wheel spacers installed, though, as mud tires are often bigger and heavier than most others. 

Because of the extra weight and size, these tires will cut into your ATV’s fuel efficiency and might end up wearing down some joints, so be careful when you use them. You should also avoid riding with them on any terrain except mud, particularly solid surfaces. These areas can wear down the lugs, making them less effective at gripping mud and giving you one bumpy ride!

Sand

For a shifty terrain that’s a bit drier, like sand, you’ll want what are called sand tires or paddle tires. These have paddles instead of knobs or lugs, helping to scoop up the loose material beneath them and push it away. This provides the traction you need to stay exactly where you mean to be. Both front and rear sand tires are designed a bit differently to maximize traction further. Front tires have slicker treads and are more focused on steering control than grip.

These tires are also meant to only be ridden on in the terrain they were designed for. Driving on hard, flat surfaces with them will wear down the paddle-like protrusions just like the lugs, though they won’t provide as much of an unpleasant ride. 

Pavement

Now, if you do plan on riding on hard, flat surfaces a lot, you’re going to need pavement tires. These are the only four wheeler tires specifically designed for surfaces like hard-packed dirt, lawns, turf, pavement, concrete, and the like. These are built with shallow but tightly-spaced treads that don’t tear up grass but still maintain a solid grip on the ground, avoiding damaging your lawns without sacrificing too much handling. While these provide the smoothest ride on flat terrains, they aren’t big on traction, so avoid uneven surfaces or steep inclines with them.

We hope we’ve helped you pick the right tires for your next ATV ride! To learn more about these tires, or to browse the ATVs we have for sale, stop by The Sports Center. We proudly serve the people of Macon and Columbus, Georgia—let us serve you today!