DWT Moapa Tires, all-terrain tires for your all-terrain vehicle. For our upcoming Generation 1 Grizzly 700 Project, we wanted to try a tire designed to perform in all conditions from hard dirt to mud, rocks, and even sand. This is the type of tire that is best suited for the largest number of riders, as choosing a tire designed specifically to excel in mud or hard surfaces hurts their performance everywhere else. As a tire, we planned on using a 700cc, single-cylinder ATV; weight was also taken into consideration. Finally, with our planned switch to wider offset DWT Stealth Wheels for added stability, we wanted to switch from the stock 25” tires to taller 26” tires. 26” tires are the standard on the latest full-size ATVs as they roll more smoothly through bumps and over obstacles. Be aware, though, switching to a taller tire should be accompanied by recalibrating your clutch with an aftermarket clutch kit on CVT-equipped ATVs to maintain performance and drive belt durability, or you could simply stick with the stock tire size. With all this in mind, we decided to test a set of 26x9-12 front and 26x11-12 rear DWT Moapa tires. As premium tires go, the Moapas are most comparable to the Maxxis Bighorn, but with a slightly different and more open tread pattern that appears a bit more focused on delivering side bite. The Moapas feature a wide contact patch and aggressive tread pattern designed to work in a variety of conditions. Their tread wraps around the sidewalls to enhance puncture resistance and improve traction in deep ruts. With a multi-directional design, the tread works equally well rotating in either direction. This allows you to periodically swap the tires from one side to the other, promoting even tread wear, longer tire life, with more consistent performance throughout, compared to a directional tread design. The Moapa’s six-ply construction offers enhanced durability over most OE tires. While tires with radial construction are known for offering a smooth ride, they are also typically heavier and more expensive. The Moapa’s bias-ply design makes them around two to three pounds lighter per tire than other comparable tires featuring radial construction. Saving 8 to 12 pounds of unsprung, rotating mass makes a big deal in handling and acceleration on an ATV. We also found them to be notably less expensive than similar use, premium brand, radial tires. We wanted a rugged, good performing, all-terrain tire that was somewhat weight conscious, and the Moapa tires fit the bill nicely. Their bias ply design not only saves a little weight; it also makes the Moapas a little easier on the wallet as premium brands go. You might find a tire that will perform better in a single particular environment, but if you want all-terrain performance, DWT’s Moapa tires work great!

• published: 11 Jan 2016
• views: 1155