12" vrs 14" wheels

[Snowdin]

Folks I need an education on this subject. Do you get 2" more clearance with 14" over 12" rims? Are there any pro's and con's of the two sized wheels?

 

[TheMuffinMan]

No difference in clearance, as that depends on tire size not rim size. Advantages of 14" rims are the ability to run 30" or bigger tires as the biggest tire you can get for a 12" is 28 I believe. Another advantage is weight savings because more rim=less tire. You get a slightly softer ride on 12" rims because of the extra sidewall but at the same time they aren't as stable in high speed turns as they have more tendency to roll over onto the sidewall. Lastly, and this is just a personal opinion, unless you run 30" or bigger tires, 14" rims make an atv or sxs loom like something a rapper would ride...too much wheel not enough tire. Hope this helps.

 

[Snowdin]

All makes sence. Thanks for the education.

 

[4byrookie]

All makes sence. Thanks for the education.

And from experience you will find because of having less sidewall with 14" rims you will break the bead on your tires more often!!

 

[rzrgade]

You can get outlaws in 29.5 / 12.....

 

[kingkris06]

mud light xxl is both 30x12x14 and 30x12x12. same with 30" silver backs

 

[Snowdin]

I've been thinking about 30's on 14" wheels with bead locks.

 

[MATTIAC]

ive seen more popped beads with 14's then with 12's the extra side wall is nice, but 14's look dope!

 

[quadboy55]

Not true... You don't gain clearance upping rim size.

And you can get a 32" tire in a 12" rim and a 14" rim. Rim size has nothing to do with available tire size.

14" Rims are just for looks. Though it's harder to come across an aggressive under 30" tire for a 14" rim.

12" rims will give your quad more float, and 14" rims are just for looks and on the Sportsman XP's, to clear the brake rotors.

 

[DaveB]

A 14" rim with rubber package is lighter than a 12" rim with same height/width of tire as the aluminum rim weighs less than the extra rubber.

 

[scoobienorth]

A 14" rim with rubber package is lighter than a 12" rim with same height/width of tire as the aluminum rim weighs less than the extra rubber.

but it also pushes the weight further from the center of the axle, giving the weight more leverage, sort to speak, thus robbing power. i also thought that the 14" packages were heavier than the 12's but im not going searching for hard numbers and could be wrong. tire choice is where the weight savings really are, compare a zilla vs mudlite xtr and you will astonished. i found the 14's great on my rhino for the brake clearance, never built up with mud, or rocks, the 12's now on it, do pile stuff up. i have 12's cause they are lighter and cheaper, for my size and application.cant really go wrong either way, both have plusses. *edit* one last thought, anyone on rhinoforums who is serious about going fast(as fast as a rhino goes) uses 12" wheels

 

[kingkris06]

the rim weight is really a moot point. case and point 90% of all aftermarket rims weigh more than a stk aluminum rims

 

[munhoez]

the rim weight is really a moot point. case and point 90% of all aftermarket rims weigh more than a stk aluminum rims

u still ride on ur factory aluminum rims? Those KQ 700/750 rims r almost 3 times liter than a itp rim.

 

[quadboy55]

u still ride on ur factory aluminum rims? Those KQ 700/750 rims r almost 3 times liter than a itp rim.

ding easy..

 

[kingkris06]

u still ride on ur factory aluminum rims? Those KQ 700/750 rims r almost 3 times liter than a itp rim.

yea still have them, but im running some old honda steel rims at the moment (i figured with 40 lbs+ tire a steel rim wouldn't hurt ).

Suzuki stk rims are 7lbs, but i think the grizzly have them beat for weight.

 

[tex78]

also depending on the quad u put them on the 12 's don't have much room between the brakes and rim..... the 14 does which sometimes jams a rock between the brakes and rim [ makes a huge hole on the inside of the rim ] and sucks butt.... i have had it happen

 

[tex78]

but it also pushes the weight further from the center of the axle, giving the weight more leverage, sort to speak, thus robbing power. i also thought that the 14" packages were heavier than the 12's but im not going searching for hard numbers and could be wrong. tire choice is where the weight savings really are, compare a zilla vs mudlite xtr and you will astonished. i found the 14's great on my rhino for the brake clearance, never built up with mud, or rocks, the 12's now on it, do pile stuff up. i have 12's cause they are lighter and cheaper, for my size and application.cant really go wrong either way, both have plusses. *edit* one last thought, anyone on rhinoforums who is serious about going fast(as fast as a rhino goes) uses 12" wheels

ya but rhino's don't go fast..................

 

[scoobienorth]

ya but rhino's don't go fast..................

thats why its so critical, cant afford to lose what little it starts with!!!

 

[FTBeaver]

Factory 14" Polaris XP rims suck. Had to ride 18km out of the bush on a busted rim. A rock stuck between the rim and the brakes. This is the biggest of 3 holes. I like the look of the factory aluminum rim but decided to upgrade to ITPs hopefully the offset helps keep rocks out.

 

[munhoez]

Factory 14" Polaris XP rims suck. Had to ride 18km out of the bush on a busted rim. A rock stuck between the rim and the brakes. This is the biggest of 3 holes. I like the look of the factory aluminum rim but decided to upgrade to ITPs hopefully the offset helps keep rocks out.

ouch, thats rough, i've seen that happen on itp rims too.