Nikal, you mention 30" is too much for a stock drivetrain XP4 900. I'm replacing my 27x12 GBC/hipers. I'm looking at the GMC Cutthroat as well as a few others and going to a 14" wheel. I do plan on installing HCR or RPM long travel and I'm clutched with. Few motor mods. Would you still suggest the Cutthroat in my situation and what beadlock?
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Nogd,
For my application where I am stock engine, stock clutched with stock axles and doing 500 to 600 mile Baja trips, with no outside support. Yes I felt the 30 was to much tire for
MY XP4 900. Also I run a Bighorn / GMZ Slammer style tire in my local desert (Plaster City /Superstition) as we run both hard pack and sand dunes on the same rides in the same area. These tires are 27's so having to clutch for the 30's was not an optimal option, as I'm not looking to have to adjust clutch tunes, each time I change tires.
I don't want to miss inform anyone into thinking a 30 inch tire is to much tire for XP 900. If you are committed to running 30"s all the time and are willing to tune the clutch for 30's, run a better rear axle and do the front fender trim modification, then YES you could do a 30" inch tire. You might be just fine running stock axles, but many that I have spoke to say "You are on borrowed time when running a stock axle with that much weight and rotating mass."
But since you are looking to add a long travel kit, you will be replacing your axles with the kit, and you said you are also going to re-clutch. So in theory you could run a 30' if you felt the need.
Like I said I was very happy with the overall performance of the GMZ Cutthroat and when looking at the overall wear after 580 miles in Baja, I was very pleased with what I found. I'm sure you saw or read the 2015 Baja trip story, so you would have seen all the types of terrain we ran on.
As far as wheel's you are going to love running a 14" wheel vs a 12". You get a lot less rocks and debris between the wheel & caliper. I have the STI HD Beadlock, and have been very happy with them. GMZ makes the Liteloc which too is a nice wheel, and what is even nicer is the fact that they use a 10mm bolt on the beadlock ring vs the 8mm that STI and many others use. Since I have not used any other UTV wheels I cant give you any honest opinions or facts.
Wheels are like tires and are subject to personal opinions and many times are purchased due to what the "Latest Trend" says you should run. What one guy likes and swears by the next will tell you they are no good. Kinda of like the Hiper wheel debate, which I'm sure you know all about, as you say you have Hipers. This is why I tried to show actual facts on the GMZ Cutthroat, and not just my opinion. Because I could tell everyone they are the best or worst tire. But that is only my opinion, and really it should come down to facts.
And like I have said on some other threads there is no perfect All-Terrain tire for all applications. Best thing you can do is figure out what you run the most in, where are you willing to sacrifice performance in, and make your pick. No all-terrain tire is going to run in the sand dunes like a paddle tire or even the Bighorn style tire would.
If you are looking at a 28 inch tire I would suggest the Cutthroat. If your looking for a 30 inch tire give the Kahuna a look, as I was told the rubber compounds are the same. So overall tire wear should see what I saw with the Cutthroat, and really because of the closer tread design you might see even better.
Good luck and let me know what you choose.
