what size tire for 9 wide rim?

For a 9-inch wide rim, the most common tire widths are 9 to 11 inches. A 10-inch wide tire is usually the sweet spot for trail riding—good flotation without being too heavy. I run 26x10-9 on my 9-inch rims and they work great.

I'd actually recommend going with a 9-inch wide tire if you want better steering response and less sidewall flex. A 10-inch tire will work, but it'll feel a bit more sluggish in tight turns. Just my experience from racing XC.

You can also run 11-inch wide tires on a 9-inch rim, but they'll bulge a lot and might rub on your swingarm or fenders. Stick to 9 or 10 inches unless you're running really deep mud and need extra floatation.

Make sure to check your ATV's model year and clearance before buying. Some older machines have narrower stance and a 10-inch tire might hit the exhaust or frame. I learned that the hard way.

I've had good luck with 27x9-9 on my 9-inch rims. The narrower tire cuts through mud better and handles rocky trails well. But it does sink more in soft stuff compared to a 10-inch.

If you ride a lot of sand or snow, go with a 10-inch wide tire for better floatation. For hardpack trails, a 9-inch tire will be lighter and more nimble. It really depends on your terrain.

Don't forget to consider the tire's ply rating and tread pattern. A 6-ply 10-inch tire will be heavier but more puncture resistant. For trail riding, I prefer a 4-ply to keep weight down.

I disagree with going too narrow. A 9-inch tire on a 9-inch rim might feel tippy in sidehills because the sidewall is almost vertical. A 10-inch gives a bit more stability without losing much agility.

Actually, the sidewall angle depends on the tire's design. Some 9-inch tires have a rounded profile that works fine. I've run 25x9-9 on my Grizzly and it handles great in corners.

If you're on a budget, check out used tires in 25x10-9 or 26x10-9. They're common sizes and often available cheap. Just inspect for dry rot or uneven wear before buying.

I run 28x10-9 on my Polaris and they fit fine, but I had to adjust the wheel offset to avoid rubbing. The extra height helps clear rocks but makes the ATV feel taller. Not for everyone.

One thing people overlook is the rim's offset. A 9-inch rim with a 4+3 offset might tuck the tire in more, affecting clearance. Measure your current setup before ordering.

For mud, I'd go with 27x11-9 on those rims. Yes, it bulges, but that gives you a larger footprint. Just make sure your bodywork can handle it. I did it on my Outlander and it rips.

I'm a mechanic and I always tell customers to match tire width to rim width within 1 inch either way. So 8 to 10 inches is safe. Anything more can cause bead seating issues or tire damage.

You could also look at tire manufacturers' specs. Most list a recommended rim width range. For example, a 26x10-9 typically says rim width 7-9 inches, so you're at the max. That's fine.

I tried 25x8-9 once and they looked too skinny on the 9-inch rim. The sidewalls were angled inward a lot, which made the ride harsh. Stick with at least 9-inch wide tires.

Don't forget to account for the tire's actual measured width. Sometimes a 10-inch tire is really 10.5 inches when mounted. That extra 0.5 can cause clearance issues in tight spaces.

If you're unsure, go with 26x10-9. It's the most common size for 9-inch rims and you'll have plenty of options for tread patterns. I've run it on three different ATVs with no problems.

Partial disagreement: I think 27x9-9 is better for technical trails because it's lighter and lets you pick your line easier. The extra clearance helps over logs, and the narrow width avoids getting hung up.

At the end of the day, measure your current tire clearance and decide based on your riding style. If you want a safe bet, 26x10-9 is hard to beat. But don't be afraid to experiment if you have room.