| ATV Tires Review
Megan Vickers
Assistant Editor
Photo courtesy of Modern Tire Co.
Every ATV enthusiast could use a good set of tires and wheels. Without durable, reliable and relevant tires and wheels to take the rider where he or she wants to go, the vehicle is practically worthless. The companies we contacted for this segment gave us information regarding the design, maintenance and recommended use of their latest ATV tires and wheels.
|
|
New from Achieva Rubber Corp. are the Dune Gear tires, which feature a new ‘V’ tread design with eight reinforced paddles that won’t break off, informed Inside Sales Representative Louis
Campodonico. He told us these new tires are made of a specially formulated rubber compound to prevent cracking from sun exposure. “Durable 2 ply nylon casing eliminates blow outs while running under low pressure,” explained
Campodonico, who added, there are specific right and left tires for precise control while turning or power sliding.
Achieva Rubber Corp.
Phone: 877-328-8868
Fax: 310-328-5768
www.achievatires.com |
|
|
Kenda USA’s National Sales Manager John Leale reported the company’s latest ATV tires are the K535 XC radial 22-11x9 and the 532F Klaw XC 22-7x10 radial tires. “The new high grip rubber compound specifically for radials reduces tread wear and offers excellent traction, improved puncture resistance, a smoother ride and a larger contact patch,” said
Leale. Tires are becoming more specialized thanks to the addition of wheel assemblies, he explained. Leale added, riders can put on different tread designs of specialized riding for that weekend. “There is also a trend for an all-around tread designs, such as our K537 Bounty Hunter, which appeals to low budget and fun weekend riders,” Leale told us. Kenda’s tire sales seem to be consistent with last year’s, but, he added, some segments have spiked up, while others have remained the same. “Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to tires or wheel assemblies,” he reminded stores. “If you go too big, the machine will not handle and in some cases will not have enough horsepower to utilize the tire’s traction,” he concluded.
Kenda USA
Phone: 614-866-9803
Fax: 614-866-9805
www.kendausa.com |
|
|
“Our newest product for the sport quads is our Billet Center wheel,” stated OMF Performance Products, which added, “This wheel is available in 8x8, 9x8, 10x8, 10x9, 10x10, 10x5, 10x6, 12x6 and 12x8 sizes.” Starting with a high-quality 6061 T6 rim shell, OMF said it machines the center of the wheel to fit its bolt-in billet center. “We then machine our bolt-in billet center out of a solid piece of 3/8 inch thick 6061 T6 material. Using a solid piece of 3/8 inch 6061 T6 material allows us to keep the center light yet strong by removing material where it is not needed and leaving material where it is needed,” OMF said. These wheels are said to be available with OMF’s Scalloped Beadlock and Inner Reinforcing Ring, plus riders can chose from a selection of colors on the beadlock ring, the wheel and the billet center. “This makes for almost endless color combinations to match even the wildest quad,” explained
OMF. Style is becoming such a big factor in the sport market, the company added, and consumers are more concerned with how a product looks on their quad than how it will perform or hold up to the rigors of racing. “As with any product, dealers need to really understand what products are out there, the pros and cons of each product and they need to know how to match a particular consumer with the right product,” explained
OMF. The company concluded by saying, “Not all parts are created equal or for the same purpose and it is important to keep that in mind when selling to a customer.”
OMF Performance Products
Phone: 951-354-8272
Fax: 951-354-8599
www.omfperformance.com |
|
|
The latest offering from Western Power Sports is from Sedona Tire and Wheel, whose first model is a sand paddle tire that is available as a kit, informed ATV Tire and Brand Manager Hiram Burgos. “The tires are a 4 ply tire with eight ‘V’ shaped paddles with four support ribs, which run perpendicular to the paddles,” he explained. These support ribs are said to help prevent the paddles from folding over while offering great traction for soft climbing the steepest dune. “The wheels are a .160 inch thick spun aluminum wheel that are heat-treated to a T4 then T6 specification. Also both beads of the wheel are rolled offering tremendous strength while still keeping the total weight very low,” Burgos added. With consumers looking for more options in paddle tires, Burgos said WPS is happy to offer an all-new line that not only works great but gives the ATV a nice clean tire and wheel combination. Sales of tires and wheels are up compared to last year, he told us. “We feel the quality of ATVs today allows the owner to keep them for multiple years and purchase custom wheels and tires to keep their ATV looking new,” Burgos added. He concluded by saying, “Retailers should be knowledgeable about all lines of tires and wheels they stock and sell. This will allow them to sell the consumer the correct tires and/or wheels for their ATV.”
Sedona Tire and Wheel –
Western Power Sports
Phone: 800-999-3388
Fax: 208-375-8901
www.wps-inc.com |
Tires and wheels are something that consumers will always need, so make sure that you keep up-to-date with all the latest offerings available. Keep a healthy selection of tires and wheels in stock and know the differences between each brand, model and application. Display the product on your showroom floor to draw the customer’s attention and bring in that extra sale. We hope this segment on ATV tires and wheels was informative and remind you to check out our ATV brakes feature, elsewhere in this issue. |
