Interesting problem, hate to hear about unbalanced tires. I have 28 Mongrels on 14 HD bead locks, have about 300 miles on the combo on a 900 XP, all kinds of high speed desert running And trail rock crawling, have had no issues, love the set up.

 

Sounds about right. All the positive reviews I'd read, as well as recommendations from others, is why I decided to buy them. Hell, some people who have had pinch flats claim that Greenball has replaced their tires at no cost. I figured they would be perfect for the terrain I ride in. Obviously disappointed in how the tires worked out, but especially in the customer service.

Glad they're working out for you though!!

 

Maybe flat spots from sitting? they should round out as you ride..........mine do it some times, but then they are itp stock tires

 

I had considered that at one point, but the wheels and tires had only been mounted on the RZR for about 15 minutes until the first ride. Then I drove several miles a couple of days later on the way to the shop, which is when they put them on the balancer. So I don't think that was the problem.

I never noticed that issue with my stock tires, but I have no doubt it could happen in some cases.

 

I have them on my DE. I just noticed today as I was cruising the neighborhood they were vibrating some as well. They coulda been flat spotted as it's been sitting for a couple weeks due to snow we got.

But I agree, they suck. Mine seem rounded. Like the cross section of a basketball or something. But I see them in the dealerships, not mounted, and the tread looks flat across the width of the tire. I'm looking to get new ones soon as I find something I like, in a 29". I like bighorns, but they don't make 29" on 15", just 14".

My buddy has regular 1000 with factory bighorns. First day out was muddy and I had to have mine 4wd most of the time. He did not. They may be ok for rocks and desert, but they suck for trails, mud and snow.

CE

Ps. Might have some kanati 30"s on 15s for sale soon lol

 

Yeah, definitely not a mud tire. My suggestion....sell them quick like!!! I say that partially in jest because of my poor experience. However, on the serious side, you'll get the most money out of them the better shape they're in. If you were to sell the 15s and Mongrels, you would probably get a large percentage of the cost back for the wheel and tire combo of your choice, if not all. I'm pretty sure there are people that would trade you their stock bighorn/wheel setup for yours, and possibly throw some cash your way if you wanted to do that.

My stock bighorns actually performed pretty well. I just wanted a tire that was better suited to the terrain I ride, and the same size all the way around. I was going to wait until mine were worn out, but a friend suggested that I sell them with as little wear as possible to recoup some of the upgraded wheel/tire costs. Besides...the Method 401s and BFGs look pretty good too! lol

 

Did you go to the dealer you bought them from or straight to Kanati? Your seller should help you out. I have 30"on14" hd beadlocks and they roll smooth on pavement and work well in the desert. I like a little wheel slippage as it is less strain on axels etc. One more thing did you get a good clean even seat on the beadlocks ? I had this happen on my Raptor where I did not seat the tire perfectly straight before I bolted down the rim and it shook like a Cali earthquake. Just a thought. Good luck

 

Yeah, the dealer is the one I took the tires to when we put them on the balancer. They took them back and credited me, although they had to eat the cost because of the poor service of Kanati (Greenball). I guess Greenball just couldn't fathom something could be wrong with their product, they wouldn't even authorize a return to take a look at them. I really expected to have the same experience as you, as well as countless others, based on everything I had read/heard about the tires.

I will concede there is a remote possible that mounting could have been a contributing factor, but I really doubt it. We checked and rechecked the mounting, thinking that was a likely cause, but got the same result every time. It got to the point where I was measuring the bead position relative to the wheel with a mic. Hell, I would have been fine with eating the cost of the tires if Greenball had bothered to inspect them, told me the tires were good, and that it was the loose nut behind the wrench causing the problem. FWIW, there was no issue with the BFGs.

I agree about the slippage. I'm a little nervous about wear on the driveline due to the level traction I have on pavement now with the BFGs. I'm trying to mitigate it by taking very wide turns when I need to turn on pavement. If there is a dirt shoulder, I'll put the one side into the dirt as I turn to reduce the strain. I guess we'll see how that strategy works!!!

 

I have these tires as well. I am planning to switch to EFX Motohammers next. I need a DOT approved tire and don't want 15" wheels. Remember GBC is the maker of the TowMaster trailer tire that goes south quickly.

 

Very true, and also the reason some retailers refuse to deal with GBC. Some gave GBC a second chance with the Mongrel, but that may not last long. It's a shame, as most have had great experiences with the Mongrel.

I'm generally not a big wheel guy, as my last Super Duty had 40" tires on 17" rims, and the next will have 36" on 18" rims. I know the 14 is probably a little better for most conditions, but the ability to put an LT tire on made me decide to go with the 15" on the RZR. Hell, I think I could find a replacement tire in most gas station dumpsters!! lol

 

Post some pictures of your car with the BFGs on it if you can please. I'm interested in a set as well.

CE

 

I have had several requests for pics of the BFG set-up, which made me realize I hadn't taken any new pics of the RZR since the day I bought it. Besides, I wanted to go out for a couple of good runs anyway and tweak the new clutch a little bit, soooo.....

Don't mind the dust...

 

So far I'm pretty happy with this wheel/tire set-up. I've run it in hard-pack, some pretty soft sand, street, and open desert. Going to the LT tire makes me feel the terrain a little bit more due to the stiffer sidewalls, but it's a welcome trade off for the improved stability and ride. Keep in mind that I drive it pretty aggressively. I'm running about 13 lbs of pressure right now, but may end up adjusting that a bit.

I considered going with the KM2s, but that was another 5 lbs per tire (42 lbs each). The ATs were only 37 lbs each, vs 33 lbs each for the Mongrels. The other tire I considered was the Toyo AT2. I decided I couldn't go too wrong with the BFG, and could find a replacement just about anywhere!

Hope this helps.

 

Hey looks great! Thanks for posting. What size are those?

CE

 

You're welcome. They are 30x9.50-15.

 

we have literally sold hundreds of the 30" mongrels and have never had a problem with any of them. They have always been great. I think you just got a bad tire or two.

 

I have no doubt about your customers' experiences with Mongrels, as that's consistent with what I kept hearing. Hell, most of the people I've talked to about my own experience look at me like I'm speaking a foreign language!

I think you're probably right in that my tires were a fluke, but what irked me was the way GBC handled it. I wish my experience had been different, but I can honestly say I don't intend on buying any of their products again. Customer service goes a long way with me. It's a shame though, as the Mongrel seems to be a great option for the terrain I ride in. Oh well...

 

I have run multiple sets of these tires and none were that out of balance. I add a small amount of balance beads to each tire and go!

 

I'm jealous!!!

 

I have the 30" Mongrels on my 1000 4 seater. I mounted them on GMZ Rims. I think they are the best tires I have owned to date. The only problem I had was two of the tires on my driver side were losing air. Make sure you take them down and have them installed by a tire dealer. Re-Mounted them and they have held up great!!!

 

I'm glad you're happy with yours. They obviously didn't work out so well for me. I had no problem with them holding air, they were trying to bounce me out of the RZR. I understand that 99.9% of the Mongrels on the market have no problems...mine did.

Not sure if you caught it or not (original post), but I did have one of them remounted, by the same tire shop that put them on the high speed balancer. And yes, they are a very experienced shop. They got the same result on that rim/tire after they did the mounting as when I did. Hence why they took them back and credited me towards my new tires.

As a side note, I mounted the new tires myself. They roll true and I haven't noticed any vibration, even at top speed on pavement.

 

Are you guys having them Balanced? i had Discount Tire balance my DOT tires and they didnt wobble anymore.

 

Was going to, hoping that would help smooth it out a bit. However, when the machine said to add 13 oz of weight to each one, we decided there was something a bit off!! I didn't even use close to that weight on the 40" MTRs on my truck!!

 

I fixed the problem with my mongrels

 

I fixed the problem with my mongrels
View attachment 129448

I see that....very nice!!! How do you like 'em?

 

Eh, so far just rode it thru the housing development out to where the pavement ends and thru the woods where some empty lots are. It handles MUCH better on pavement/hard pack. It's on the trailer right now getting ready to hit the trails. I'll post back this evening. They are 29x10.50R15, so they are a little shorter and a fuzz wider than the mongrels. I think it gives it good look over the rounded over inflated look of the mongrels. Yea?

CE

 

Ok the verdict is in... 100% improvement. If you like to ride like the picture below, then you have to get your a set of swampers.

CE

 

Ok the verdict is in... 100% improvement. If you like to ride like the picture below, then you have to get your a set of swampers. View attachment 129518

CE

They look tough!

I don't see a whole lot of that dark colored slippery stuff (I think you call it mud?) out here though, and I don't think my BFG ATs would works so well in that! Glad to see you found a tire that works for where ya ride!

 

Yea there isn't a lot of mud on that trail. But what there is, is the kind you step in and you get swallowed up to your knee. Then it pulls your boot off when you pull your leg out. That particular section of trail is called the "Amazon". There is a sign at both ends stating that a winch is REQUIRED to enter and it is NOT possible to avoid deep mudholes. Then states there is at least a $50 charge to pull you out. LOL. As you can see, I am bottomed out as is my buddy in the background. We both had to winch ourselves out in that photo.

For anyone bored at work, YouTube BURNING ROCK AMAZON

CE

Ps I have a set of 30x10R15 mongrels for sale.

 

Has anybody had any problems with the beads not seating on these tires? I bought (4) brand new Mongrels and (4) brand new Raceline bead lock wheels. Two of the four tires, 30X10X14 mongrels are popping off my Raceline Mambas (14" headlocks) at 5 psi. This seems crazy, they are the correct tire size for this rim, I see all the combo tire and wheels for sale.

I'm at the best tire store in Tucson right now and we are scratching our heads to figure out what is wrong with these tires.....suxs

 

No sir, can't say that I have. Hope you get it figured out though.

 

I have 14 inch mongrels on my 900XP, mounted on HD bead locks, no issues, love the tire wheel combination, all desert running.

 

Guys The main problem is the wheels are simulated beadlock which I did not know when I purchased them.
All four tires and wheels have all popped out of the wheels' inner lip and the bead of the tire is resting between the outer ring, which does nothing (eye candy) and the inner lip of the wheel. look at pic

I spent a few hours at Jack furriers Ina store with Derek and Jason, who do tons of headlock stuff for race cars. Raceline Mambas are not the way to go. In addition one tire was 13 ozs out of balance, so you all may want to check yours or remount until less weight is needed. I had remounted and re-mounted mine 20 or so times so at that point I just balanced it out but it is not correct by any means. Some of these tires have inconsistencies so use caution.

Moral of the story: Don't try to safe a few hundred dollars on the wheels, get some Methods or something that is real. This could be a very dangerous situation.

 

Time to clear the Air:

Tires mounted Wrong: :rm_thumbdown:

You can see the tire shop mistakenly placed the bead of the tire under the inside of rim thinking that the ring was a simulated bead lock. This did not use the ring to lock the bead of the tire securely to the rim.....BAD BAD BAD

Tires mounted correctly:

Now you can see how I placed the bead up against the lip to allow the bead ring to work properly. Wow if you want it done right you have to do it yourself or at least not post anything until your sure it was not done incorrectly by people that do this for a living. This could of been very dangerous if I had drove it any further than I did.

The wheels (Raceline A71B Mambas) and tires (Mongrels 30X10X14) worked outstanding on my first desert ride today. The extra weight to balance one of the Mongrels (13 oZ) was not noticeable, but now since I am mounting my own tires and I know the proper way to do it, I could break it down and move it 180 degrees and see how much weight it will need to re-balance it. opcorn:

Thanks guys and I apologize for my earlier miss- information about the wheels and tires....Jeff

 

Time to clear the Air:



Tires mounted Wrong: :rm_thumbdown:

View attachment 131570



You can see the tire shop mistakenly placed the bead of the tire under the inside of rim thinking that the ring was a simulated bead lock. This did not use the ring to lock the bead of the tire securely to the rim.....BAD BAD BAD



Tires mounted correctly:



View attachment 131571



Now you can see how I placed the bead up against the lip to allow the bead ring to work properly. Wow if you want it done right you have to do it yourself or at least not post anything until your sure it was not done incorrectly by people that do this for a living. This could of been very dangerous if I had drove it any further than I did.



The wheels (Raceline A71B Mambas) and tires (Mongrels 30X10X14) worked outstanding on my first desert ride today. The extra weight to balance one of the Mongrels (13 oZ) was not noticeable, but now since I am mounting my own tires and I know the proper way to do it, I could break it down and move it 180 degrees and see how much weight it will need to re-balance it. opcorn:



Thanks guys and I apologize for my earlier miss- information about the wheels and tires....Jeff

Since you have beadlocks, you can change the tires yourself with minimal tools.

 

I have read a lot of good reviews on Mongrels but Ive also read 4 major complaints from many people.

#1. They suck in mud
#2. Pinch flats if you run under 12 psi
#3. Out of balance tires
#4. They don't run true to posted size

I was pretty nervous when I ordered a set of 28-10-14s for our 2015 900 50". I have them mounted on 14x7 HD beadlocks. Lucky for me, they are almost perfect and roll perfectly smooth. I say almost perfect because they are not a true 28" for me but pretty close.

Now Im looking at ordering a 2nd set for my 2012 900 XP and hoping I get lucky twice.

 

My Mongrels have 420 miles of rocky Baja and soft rocky beach driving plus some Mexican pavement. So far they have been perfect in every aspect. I do run them between 19 and 16 lbs.

 

My problem after finding out you have to have mongrels balanced is that they are leaking at the bead and rim even after discount tire applying sealant. Greenball said to send them in for warranty replacement. What the hell am I supposed to do? They said to buy more tires and wait unreal.

 

Ouch. Although, that's one step better than what they did for me, as I was never even gave me that option. They wouldn't even accept the tires to see if they was a problem with them. I know these tires have worked great for so many people, but their lack of customer service is what will keep me from buying any of their products in the future. Oh well.

 

UPDATE: Just got back from the Colorado mountains...I was very impressed with how the BFG's All-Terrains performed.

They handled everything I could throw at 'em and never even flinched. Some minor water crossings, little bit of mud, loose rock climbs...

Besides that, they are great on road, and really good in hard pack desert, although you do get more tire spin than with a more aggressive tread.

With all the new UTV tires out there, are there better options out now? Possibly, depending on the riding you do, but until I wear these out... lol.





One last test....gonna have to see how well they can handle dunes (not overly optimistic!)