Mud Tires - 5 Steps to Selecting the Right Tire for Your ATV (Continued)

5) Mud Tires Construction (Ply Rating & Radial or Bias Ply)

This is an area that gets confusing, and is all to often overlooked when purchasing a set of mud tires. All tires are constructed of a special combination of polymers. Each manufacturer typically uses a secret ratio for their product. What you should look at are the ply rating and the belt type construction, as each aspect has an affect on the tire's pliability, stability and handling characteristics.a. Ply Rating - Years ago, (many years ago), a tire's construction was rated by the number of plies within the carcass. This rating system was used when less durable material, (such as traditional rubber) was used to create the tire carcass. Because the material was less durable, it took more layers of bonded, fused material to increase the tire's strength and longevity. However, with the advent of new technologies and materials, a tire can be constructed with only a few (2 or 3) plies of material, yet have the same strength and longevity of a 6- or 7-ply tire. Hence, a new tire may have a 6-ply rating (based on the old standards), yet be constructed with only a couple of layers.b. Radial vs. Bias Ply - Until recently, the vast majority of ATV tires were all bias ply. Bias ply tires are constructed utilizing plies or belts (typically rubber-coated plies composed of textile cords, usually nylon) that run diagonally (usually 30 degrees) from one bead to the other. One ply is set on a bias in one direction, and succeeding plies are set alternately in opposing directions crossing each other. Bias-ply tires are typically less flexible than radials, but are typically tougher in construction than their radial brothers.Radial tires are fairly recent entries in the ATV market, and are tires that are constructed in two parts.
First, a single layer of rubber-coated steel cables arch from one bead to the other to form the tire casing.
Second, numerous rubber-coated steel belts are placed in the crown, under the tread, to form a strong stabilizing unit. Radial construction makes the tire more flexible, which reduces rolling resistance and improves fuel economy.What's the bottom line in selecting tire construction? Try and strike a good balance of ply ratings for your mud tires. Too great of a rating can, but not always, mean a stiffer, less pliable carcass. Too weak of a rating can, but not always, mean too soft of a carcass, and can also mean a weaker tire, one more susceptible to punctures. The jury is still out about the radial vs. bias ply tire construction. For now, we'll stick with the tried and true bias ply until we get some more experience with radial ATV tires.

Where to buy

This may be yet another factor in purchasing a tire, but should not determine the type of tire your purchase. Tires can be purchased at dealerships or retail outlets, as well as on the web. Typically you'll find that the prices of tires are exceedingly higher at dealerships, lower at retail outlets, and somewhere in between on the web. Don't be duped by the low advertised price for tires on the internet though. Shipping costs typically overshadow the perceived money saved on their lower rates.

by Rick Webster