STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
Moderator: hemingray
STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
Well....if you watched the KOH video...
you know that Auburn Extreme Powersports UTV was riding on the new STI Black Diamond Tires.
During the race, a slew of UTV's with Bighorn tires failed. So, given I'm planning on doing the KOH race in Feb....
AND
I've had 3 ITP Beadlock wheels fail....
I decided to get STI HD Beadlock wheels as well
Just mounting the tires, was different than the Bighorns, as it was difficult to get the tire on even a beadlock wheel the bead was VERY STIFF!! The Bighorn, slid right over, where as the STI had to muscle it over. Once I had it on, I secured the ring. The ITP Ring is flat and simply pancakes over the tire. The STI beadlock is machined with a lip around the ring to center it on the wheel. Also, the bolts are all counter sunk to avoid grinding them round on the rocks.
When I filled the Bighorn tires (ask SCOTT) we had muscle them....on the rear tires, I had to put a strap around it to squeeze the tire to get the bead to sit. The STI tires held their shape so well....I simply added air...the bead caught and popped on.
It's clear from the start....the sidewall on the STI tire is MUCH STIFFER and more stout than the Bighorn tire. Even though they're both 6 ply...the difference between the 2 is night and day.
The 12" wide Bighorns/ITP were 43.5lbs and the 11" wide STI combo was 42.5.....but the fronts are both 9".....and Bighorn was 36lbs...and STI was 41lbs. So something is beefier
I got 'em mounted....and hit the Rubicon on Saturday...
So.....how did it ride???
The Bighorns I initially rock crawled with 5lbs of air....and lost 2 wheels the same weekend...probably the same rock. I then started running them with 7lbs of air....and lost another wheel! So I've been rock crawling the Bighorns with 8-9lbs. The tires still give....but much firmer to prevent crushing down the wheel.
So I started with the STI tires with 8lbs of air.....OH MY. I wouldn't call them rocks.....but they were DEFINITELY firm. So dropped them down to 6lbs of air. After running them at 6lbs of air, I can tell you they feel harder and have more height than the Bighorns with 9lbs. So clearly that sidewall is as I suspected...VERY STOUT!
I had to drive on the pavement for a mile or so.....and I was COMPLETELY surprised how smooth the tires were. First of all...they are directional...so you have to make sure you mount them correctly....but because they are, that center pattern on the tire is VERY smooth and quiet...my Bighorns were much louder. It also handled very nice, not that asphalt handling is job 1.
On the rocks....I got very good bite....especially after I dropped down to 6lbs....and I may drop it more down to 5lbs, just to check.
So would I ditch Bighorns? No...they're still a really good tire. But I think with the extra weight of the SxS...the STI is a more durable tire.
Rock Crawling: Edge Bighorn (So far). Reason? Air down..and curving around rocks, they are better. Traction edge...the STI seem better...I'll need more "rock" time to say for sure.
Hard Pack: STI is more smooth, handles better and is quieter
Mud: Only guessing here....but I think those STI lugs are going to be monsters
Snow: I have no idea...the Bighorns always have done well here....and given my STI's are 1" narrower....probably going to be Bighorn
Height: Bighorn 27" are closer to 28". STI are right at 27".
Durability: STI
Pricing...the tires seem about the same. Wheels...the STI wheels are in the 100 range per wheel....MUCH less than the ITP wheel...and they seem more durable.
you know that Auburn Extreme Powersports UTV was riding on the new STI Black Diamond Tires.
During the race, a slew of UTV's with Bighorn tires failed. So, given I'm planning on doing the KOH race in Feb....
AND
I've had 3 ITP Beadlock wheels fail....
I decided to get STI HD Beadlock wheels as well
Just mounting the tires, was different than the Bighorns, as it was difficult to get the tire on even a beadlock wheel the bead was VERY STIFF!! The Bighorn, slid right over, where as the STI had to muscle it over. Once I had it on, I secured the ring. The ITP Ring is flat and simply pancakes over the tire. The STI beadlock is machined with a lip around the ring to center it on the wheel. Also, the bolts are all counter sunk to avoid grinding them round on the rocks.
When I filled the Bighorn tires (ask SCOTT) we had muscle them....on the rear tires, I had to put a strap around it to squeeze the tire to get the bead to sit. The STI tires held their shape so well....I simply added air...the bead caught and popped on.
It's clear from the start....the sidewall on the STI tire is MUCH STIFFER and more stout than the Bighorn tire. Even though they're both 6 ply...the difference between the 2 is night and day.
The 12" wide Bighorns/ITP were 43.5lbs and the 11" wide STI combo was 42.5.....but the fronts are both 9".....and Bighorn was 36lbs...and STI was 41lbs. So something is beefier
I got 'em mounted....and hit the Rubicon on Saturday...
So.....how did it ride???
The Bighorns I initially rock crawled with 5lbs of air....and lost 2 wheels the same weekend...probably the same rock. I then started running them with 7lbs of air....and lost another wheel! So I've been rock crawling the Bighorns with 8-9lbs. The tires still give....but much firmer to prevent crushing down the wheel.
So I started with the STI tires with 8lbs of air.....OH MY. I wouldn't call them rocks.....but they were DEFINITELY firm. So dropped them down to 6lbs of air. After running them at 6lbs of air, I can tell you they feel harder and have more height than the Bighorns with 9lbs. So clearly that sidewall is as I suspected...VERY STOUT!
I had to drive on the pavement for a mile or so.....and I was COMPLETELY surprised how smooth the tires were. First of all...they are directional...so you have to make sure you mount them correctly....but because they are, that center pattern on the tire is VERY smooth and quiet...my Bighorns were much louder. It also handled very nice, not that asphalt handling is job 1.
On the rocks....I got very good bite....especially after I dropped down to 6lbs....and I may drop it more down to 5lbs, just to check.
So would I ditch Bighorns? No...they're still a really good tire. But I think with the extra weight of the SxS...the STI is a more durable tire.
Rock Crawling: Edge Bighorn (So far). Reason? Air down..and curving around rocks, they are better. Traction edge...the STI seem better...I'll need more "rock" time to say for sure.
Hard Pack: STI is more smooth, handles better and is quieter
Mud: Only guessing here....but I think those STI lugs are going to be monsters
Snow: I have no idea...the Bighorns always have done well here....and given my STI's are 1" narrower....probably going to be Bighorn
Height: Bighorn 27" are closer to 28". STI are right at 27".
Durability: STI
Pricing...the tires seem about the same. Wheels...the STI wheels are in the 100 range per wheel....MUCH less than the ITP wheel...and they seem more durable.
The last words spoken before a YouTube video is filmed: "Hold my beer, now watch this..."
Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/
Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/
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Re: STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
Thank you for that review, very good stuff.
Re: STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
No problem.
The Bighorns are definitely a more "plush" ride than the STI....You could probably easily run the STI's on an ATV at 4...maybe even 3lbs. Just have to play with it.
The Bighorns are definitely a more "plush" ride than the STI....You could probably easily run the STI's on an ATV at 4...maybe even 3lbs. Just have to play with it.
The last words spoken before a YouTube video is filmed: "Hold my beer, now watch this..."
Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/
Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/
Re: STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
Cool tires and wheels, as far as the KOH there is no reason to to re invent the wheel no pun intended. I would like to go down and check out the race and the area. I have noticed that some guys are running the same size tire front and rear.
nice set up Ken.
DAVEF
nice set up Ken.
DAVEF
DAVE
Brute 750 Camo... 26'' MUDLITE XTR'S... Ramsey 3000 w/remote...eXplorist 400... Mair handguards... FlightCare Member
Brute 750 Camo... 26'' MUDLITE XTR'S... Ramsey 3000 w/remote...eXplorist 400... Mair handguards... FlightCare Member
- ACLakey
- Knows UPS driver on a 1st name basis
- Posts: 457
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 12:38 pm
- Location: Klamath Falls, Or
- Contact:
Re: STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
ATVTV did a couple reviews on these tires and had nothing but good things to say....if you can tolerate Doug's voice. If I remember correctly he recommended running 2.5-3lb due to the stiff sidewall on the ATV's.Ken wrote:No problem.
The Bighorns are definitely a more "plush" ride than the STI....You could probably easily run the STI's on an ATV at 4...maybe even 3lbs. Just have to play with it.
Re: STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
looking good man. i would love to see how they do at moonrocks. i will let you know when my swaybar comes and we will test them out
Angelo
My Business mention ATV Obsession and i will hook you up.
http://www.mygemologist.com
K0HMR
My ATV!!
2006 Kodiak 450
warn 2500 winch, heated hand grips, and full custom skid plates with wrap around steel fender guards :) and 25" Bighorn tires
My Business mention ATV Obsession and i will hook you up.
http://www.mygemologist.com
K0HMR
My ATV!!
2006 Kodiak 450
warn 2500 winch, heated hand grips, and full custom skid plates with wrap around steel fender guards :) and 25" Bighorn tires
Re: STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
nice ken keep us posted, as i'm looking into getting some new tires soon as well.
Side note:
my bighorns got 4 flats on my last trip. 1 nail, tiny rip by a lug, and 2 pin hole's from cactus that couldn't be dodged. For the terrain i was in i was extremely happy with only getting away with that also they where all slow leaks so didn't even need to do any trail side repair which was nice.
Side note:
my bighorns got 4 flats on my last trip. 1 nail, tiny rip by a lug, and 2 pin hole's from cactus that couldn't be dodged. For the terrain i was in i was extremely happy with only getting away with that also they where all slow leaks so didn't even need to do any trail side repair which was nice.
09 can-am renegade
Re: STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
Dang Brian...
I know the Arizona desert guys have cactus issues all the time and they all run Slime....which makes sense, since they're tiny holes...generally.
I know the Arizona desert guys have cactus issues all the time and they all run Slime....which makes sense, since they're tiny holes...generally.
The last words spoken before a YouTube video is filmed: "Hold my beer, now watch this..."
Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/
Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/
Re: STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
slime is great stuff but i heard in snow wheeling it freezes causeing some unique tire balancing issues
Angelo
My Business mention ATV Obsession and i will hook you up.
http://www.mygemologist.com
K0HMR
My ATV!!
2006 Kodiak 450
warn 2500 winch, heated hand grips, and full custom skid plates with wrap around steel fender guards :) and 25" Bighorn tires
My Business mention ATV Obsession and i will hook you up.
http://www.mygemologist.com
K0HMR
My ATV!!
2006 Kodiak 450
warn 2500 winch, heated hand grips, and full custom skid plates with wrap around steel fender guards :) and 25" Bighorn tires
Re: STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
That would not surprise me....Kodiak wrote:slime is great stuff but i heard in snow wheeling it freezes causeing some unique tire balancing issues
The last words spoken before a YouTube video is filmed: "Hold my beer, now watch this..."
Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/
Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/
Re: STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
FWIW, from the Slime website:
Will Slime freeze?
Slime will not freeze at even the lowest temperatures. It will, however, thicken temporarily in low temperatures if the tire is stationary. When the tire again begins to rotate the frictional heat will allow Slime to return to normal viscosity.
Will Slime freeze?
Slime will not freeze at even the lowest temperatures. It will, however, thicken temporarily in low temperatures if the tire is stationary. When the tire again begins to rotate the frictional heat will allow Slime to return to normal viscosity.
Wherever I go, there I am
Paynes Creek 2016!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
16 Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec EPS SE
09 Yamaha Grizzly 700 FI 4x4 EPS
Paynes Creek 2016!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
16 Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec EPS SE
09 Yamaha Grizzly 700 FI 4x4 EPS
Re: STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
those rims look very nice and a great price! tiers look good too!
South Side Keeper
Paynes Creek 2017
Paynes Creek 2017
Re: STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
Some of us know how one held up...
Wherever I go, there I am
Paynes Creek 2016!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
16 Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec EPS SE
09 Yamaha Grizzly 700 FI 4x4 EPS
Paynes Creek 2016!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
16 Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec EPS SE
09 Yamaha Grizzly 700 FI 4x4 EPS
Re: STI Tires and Beadlock Wheels
Operator error.hemingray wrote:Some of us know how one held up...
Great when you have the right air pressure.....I'm happy more than anything...than when I did get a flat...the rim didn't bust.
The last words spoken before a YouTube video is filmed: "Hold my beer, now watch this..."
Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/
Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/
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