I'm running a 2007 Honda TRX400EX and I'm looking to put slightly larger tires on it for better ground clearance on rocky trails. My current tires are 20x11-9, and I've heard that a 22-inch rear tire might work without rubbing. Can anyone confirm if that's possible, or if I need to adjust the suspension or gearing? I'm also curious about the trade-offs in handling and acceleration going up a size.
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I went from 20s to 22s on my 400EX and it worked fine with stock suspension, but I had to watch my turning radius. The tires rubbed a bit on full lock with mud tires, so check clearance at the a-arms.
Going up to 22s will raise your ride height and give you more clearance, but you'll lose some acceleration. You might need to adjust your chain tension and gearing if you ride a lot of tight trails.
Make sure you confirm your model year and bolt pattern. The '07 400EX should be 4/110, but some aftermarket wheels have different offsets. Measure before you buy.
I tried 22-inch rears on my 400EX and hated it on tight singletrack. Felt too sluggish off the line. Stick with 20s if you do more technical stuff.
Actually, I disagree with the last comment. I run 22s on my 400EX for desert riding and love the extra ground clearance. Just gear down a tooth on the front sprocket if you miss the snap.
Check your rear brake caliper clearance with larger tires. Some aftermarket tires have wider tread that can hit the caliper bracket on Hondas.
From a mechanic perspective, larger diameter tires affect your speedometer reading and can stress the CV joints if the offset changes too much. Stay close to stock profile.
I swapped to 22x11-9 on my '06 400 and the only issue was the tires rubbing the mud flaps. Removed them and no problems since. Handles fine in the rocks.
If you ride mostly trails, consider a radial tire. They flex better over rocks than bias ply. But radials tend to run smaller to actual size, so measure actual diameter before buying.
Don't forget about wheel offset. Even if the tire size fits, a deep offset wheel can push the tire into the frame or swingarm. I learned that the hard way.
I run 22-inch ITP Mud Lites on my 400 and they barely clear. You'll need to check the inside of the tire against the sway bar links. Some tires have more sidewall knobbies.
You might want to look at tire weight too. Heavier tires sap power more than you'd think. I switched to a lighter 22-inch and my trail riding improved.
I've heard 22s are fine for casual trail riding but if you race, stick with 20s for cornering stability. The taller sidewall can roll over more in hard turns.
Check your local trails for tire size regulations. Some places limit tire height to 22 inches. I got flagged by a ranger for running 23s.
If you're worried about rubbing, try a 21-inch rear. It's a compromise that gives you some clearance without losing too much acceleration. Many riders do that for mixed terrain.
I disagree with going to 21s. That's an odd size and harder to find replacement tires. Stick with 20 or 22 for availability.
I run 22-inch Kenda Bear Claws and they fit perfectly on my stock '07. Just needed to adjust the chain and slightly raise the handlebars for balance.
Consider your riding style more than the numbers. If you like climbing big rocks, go taller. If you're more into speed and handling, stay lower. There's no one-size-fits-all.
I had to re-jet my carb after going to 22s because the engine worked harder to spin the heavier tires. Something to keep in mind if you're performance-minded.
Before buying, check the actual tire diameter when mounted on your rim. Unmounted specs can be off by an inch. Trust me, measure twice cut once.