UTVs (Utility Terrain Vehicles), also known as side-by-sides, are fantastic for tackling rough trails and off-road challenges. But what happens when you need to spend a significant amount of time driving on paved roads? Stock UTV tires, with their aggressive tread, might not be the best for asphalt, leading to poor handling, excessive road noise, and faster wear.
This article explores the best UTV tires for pavement with confidence while minimizing drawbacks.
Why Choose UTV Tires for Pavement Use?
- Improved Handling and Stability: Pavement-specific tires deliver better handling on smooth surfaces, ensuring safer and more predictable cornering at higher speeds.
- Reduced Road Noise: Aggressive off-road tires often produce loud humming or whining on pavement. Pavement tires offer a quieter and more comfortable ride.
- Preserved Off-Road Capabilities: While optimized for pavement, many great tire choices still provide decent traction for occasional trail explorations.
- Tread Pattern: The tread pattern plays a crucial role in how a tire grips the road surface. For pavement use, look for tires with a smoother tread pattern that provides enhanced stability and traction on paved roads.
- Tire Size: The size of the tires also impacts their performance on pavement. Larger tires typically offer better handling and stability at higher speeds, making them ideal for pavement use.
- Durability: Pavement can be harsh on tires, leading to premature wear and tear. Opt for tires that are built to withstand the rigors of pavement driving, with durable construction materials and reinforced sidewalls.
Key Factors for Pavement UTV Tires
- Tread Pattern: Look for shallower, less aggressive tread patterns with more tightly packed blocks. This improves surface contact and reduces vibration.
- Radial Construction: Radial tires offer a more comfortable ride and better handling on pavement compared to their bias-ply counterparts.
- Ply-Rating: A higher ply rating suggests greater puncture resistance and load capacity. However, for primarily pavement driving, a lower ply rating may offer a smoother ride.
- Speed Rating: Check the tire’s speed rating, ensuring it matches your UTV’s capabilities and driving habits.
Best UTV Tires for Pavement
Maxxis Liberty
Maxxis Liberty UTV tires stand out as the premier option for riders seeking peak performance on pavement. With distinctive features that offer unmatched grip and stability when compared to competing brands, these tires boast a dual rotary design within their tread. This innovative design not only enhances traction but also significantly improves handling.
Moreover, the four-ply construction of Maxxis Liberty tires ensures superior puncture protection, rendering them particularly suited for pavement riding. Additionally, their increased tread depth contributes to extending their lifespan, sparing riders the hassle of frequent replacements. Maxxis Liberty emerges as one of the leading choices among UTV tires tailored for pavement terrain.
Kenda Bearclaw HTR
The Kenda Bearclaw HTR stands out as an outstanding option for off-road tires designed for UTVs. It offers exceptional traction not only on pavement but also across various rugged terrains. Engineered to excel on challenging rocky landscapes, these mud terrain UTV tires guarantee reliability in the face of formidable obstacles.
Featuring expansive tread patterns, the Kenda Bearclaw HTR ensures unparalleled control, even during sharp cornering maneuvers. Its remarkable brake grip and stability further solidify its position as one of the premier choices among UTV tires tailored for pavement surfaces. With the Kenda Bearclaw HTR, unleashing your inner beast has never been more enticing!
GBC Kanati Mongrel
When it comes to selecting the optimal UTV tire for pavement use, look no further than the GBC Kanati Mongrel. These tires are meticulously crafted with a distinct tread pattern engineered to deliver unparalleled grip and stability across diverse terrains. Featuring unique chevron lugs, they offer exceptional traction, while the inclusion of diagonal sipes on all three sides of the lugs facilitates effective water dispersion and minimizes turf damage.
Moreover, the GBC Kanati Mongrel boasts exceptionally durable construction, ensuring a prolonged lifespan compared to many other tires currently available on the market. This durability translates to long-term cost-effectiveness, making them a wise investment. With their lightweight yet high-performance treads, these UTV tires are perfectly suited for navigating roads and highways in various weather conditions.
Tusk Terrabite
Tusk has earned a prominent place within the UTV community and is renowned for offering top-notch quality, commendable performance, and reasonable pricing. Among their lineup, the Terrabite model emerges as a favorite among UTV drivers who traverse dirt, sand, or rocky terrain. And there’s a good reason for its popularity: the Terrabite Radial not only delivers impressive traction across such conditions but also exhibits remarkable durability to withstand continuous driving on hard-packed surfaces, coupled with responsive handling.
While it may not quite match the high-performance capabilities of the Kanati Mongrel, the Tusk Terrabite still provides exhilarating performance on hard-packed terrain. Expect excellent traction on both dirt and sand, with a solid grip on rocks and responsive handling. Furthermore, its 8-ply radial construction ensures robustness and puncture resistance, essential attributes for tires intended for rugged off-road use.
An intriguing feature of the Terrabite is its DOT approval for road and pavement use, a rarity among off-road tires. Surprisingly, it offers good grip on paved surfaces, along with precise steering response and handling.
However, the Terrabite falls short in mud performance, which is understandable given its focus on hard-packed terrain. Nonetheless, considering its competitive pricing relative to similar-performing competitors, the Terrabite presents an attractive option for those on a tight budget. Rest assured, investing in a set of Tusk Terrabite tires is likely to satisfy.
Maxxis Bighorn 2.0
The Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires are tailor-made for UTVs, delivering unparalleled performance and value, particularly on asphalt or pavement surfaces. These tires are designed to be radially symmetrical and have a strong 6-ply composition that provides excellent resistance to punctures. This means that they are suitable for handling the rough, uneven terrain that is frequently seen in metropolitan areas.
Featuring a tread pattern characterized by deep, aggressive lugs, the Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 ensures superior traction, providing reliable grip during sharp turns and rapid acceleration. Moreover, the strategically angled 3rd lugs significantly enhance its cornering capabilities, proving invaluable in navigating tight spaces or rugged trails with ease.
With its combination of outstanding puncture resistance, enhanced traction, and impressive cornering abilities, it comes as no surprise that countless UTV owners have chosen the Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 as their tire of choice for traversing pavement terrain.
Shinko 244
For top-notch pavement performance with your UTV, the Shinko 244 is a standout choice. Engineered with a distinctive tread pattern featuring wide center lugs and clusters of edge lugs, the 244 maximizes contact area during cornering, ensuring unparalleled grip when accelerating or decelerating. Its precision control during tight turns makes it a favored option among off-roaders seeking optimal pavement performance.
Moreover, the Shinko 244 boasts specially formulated rubber compounds in its construction, promising exceptional durability and an extended wear life. This translates to fewer tire replacements over time, offering not only unmatched grip but also exceptional long-term value with the Shinko 244.
BF Goodrich Baja T/A KR2 UTV
This tire is engineered to conquer all terrains, providing an exhilarating and safe driving experience in the wild.
Despite being a radial tire, it’s designed to excel in the toughest off-road conditions, including sharp rocks, sand, and mud. Its radial design ensures it remains lightweight, maintaining your UTV’s performance while potentially enhancing fuel economy compared to OEM tires.
But let’s focus on what matters most: traction and drivability. The BFGoodrich Baja T/A KR2 shines on soft surfaces, effortlessly handling sand and mud with exceptional traction and precise, predictable handling. Its braking performance on soft terrain is noteworthy, a feature often lacking in other competitors. Additionally, it performs admirably on rocky terrain, delivering responsive handling and an outstanding driving experience.
Built to withstand abuse in most off-road conditions, the Baja T/A KR2 offers impressive durability and boasts a long tread life, making it suitable for a wide range of users. While it may come at a slightly higher price point, its performance, enhanced by BFGoodrich’s proprietary CoreGuardTM technology, justifies the investment for those seeking the utmost in off-road capability.
How to Choose the Best Tires for Your UTV?
Choosing the best UTV tire for pavement requirements involves carefully weighing a number of aspects before investing. The following are some important points to remember:
Driving Style
- High-Speed Performance: If you often ride at high speeds, opt for tires with sturdy construction and minimal tread depth. These tires offer enhanced stability at high velocities.
- Versatility: For general-purpose use, a smoother tire with less rigid construction provides adequate performance across diverse terrains while offering cost-effectiveness.
UTVs Playgrounds
Consider the predominant terrain where you’ll be riding your UTV:
- Sandy Terrain: Sturdy tires with flexible textures excel on sandy surfaces, offering optimal grip and puncture resistance.
- Deep Mud: Specialized tires designed for deep mud offer exceptional traction and durability. They feature a stiff structure to resist punctures and ensure safe navigation through muddy conditions.
- All-Terrain Tires: Versatile tires suitable for various terrains provide a balance between traction and comfort, making them a popular choice for most users.
Tire Size
Make sure you choose the right tire size for your UTV based on the information on the sidewall of the tire. Choosing the wrong size can strain the drivetrain and potentially damage your engine.
Tips for Prolonging Pavement Tire’s Lifespan
- Maintain Proper Tire Pressure: Regularly check and adjust your tire pressure for optimal performance and reduced wear.
- Practice Moderate Driving: Avoid hard acceleration, sudden braking, and aggressive cornering to minimize tire wear.
- Rotate Your Tires: To guarantee uniform tread wear, rotate your tires on a regular basis.
Conclusion
Selecting the right UTV tires for pavement ensures safety, performance, and durability. Factors such as tread pattern, tire size, durability, and brand reputation influence traction and handling. Tailor your choice to your driving needs and environment. Prioritize reliable brands and durable construction for a smooth and secure ride on paved surfaces. Regular maintenance and inspection are essential to prolong tire lifespan and ensure continued safety. Remember, investing in high-quality UTV tires tailored for pavement use is a worthwhile investment in your driving experience and overall safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tire pressure for UTV pavement?
When riding on asphalt or other paved surfaces, it’s advisable to inflate your tires to the maximum recommended pressure, which is typically 14 to 18 psi.
Do I need to balance my UTV tires for pavement driving?
Balancing your UTV tires is recommended for smooth and balanced pavement performance.
How long will the UTV tires last?
Regrettably, there’s no fixed timeframe or mileage threshold for ATV tires. The lifespan of your tires varies depending on factors such as the terrain you frequent and your riding frequency, spanning anywhere from one to five years or even longer.
Are larger tires better for pavement use?
Larger tires typically offer better handling and stability on pavement, especially at higher speeds.
What is the difference between ATV and UTV tires?
The primary distinction between UTV-specific products and ATV tires lies in a crucial specification: load capacity. Fortunately for ATV owners, most power sports products are designed with UTVs in mind, often needing to be over-engineered. However, this can increase the weight to accommodate heavier loads, presenting a downside to consider.