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The Best Tires for Honda Foreman 500 in 2023 – Our Top 5 Picks

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The Honda Foreman 500 has an excellent reputation for durability and can handle just about anything you throw at it, but it’s only as good as the tires you put on it.

Tires are your only contact with the terrain and they have a huge impact on the Foreman’s performance on the trails.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best tires for the Honda Foreman 500 to help you get the most out of your ATV!


The 5 Best Tires for Honda Foreman 500

1. Maxxis Bighorn

  • Radial-ply
  • 6-ply
  • All-Terrain
  • 0.78 Tread Depth
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2. ITP Mud Lite

  • Bias-ply
  • 6-ply
  • Mud-Terrain
  • 0.75 Tread Depth
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3. Maxxis Mud Bug

  • Bias-ply
  • 6-ply
  • Mud-Terrain/Snow
  • 1.19 Tread Depth
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4. SunF A033 Power.I

  • Bias-ply
  • 6-ply
  • All-Terrain
  • 0.84 Tread Depth
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5. Kenda Bear Claw EVO

  • Bias-ply
  • 6-ply
  • Snow/Mud-Terrain
  • 0.73 Tread Depth
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1. Maxxis Bighorn 

If you’re looking for a tire that can take on any terrain, then the Bighorns are what’s up.

These tires have excellent traction off-road and still provide good handling when riding on hardpack and pavement because of their radial design.

In my opinion, these tires are the perfect choice for riders who take their Honda Foreman 500 on a mix of different surfaces. Be it in the mud, sand, snow, or on the road, the Bighorns can do it all.

One of the most surprising things about the Maxxis Bighorns is that they are smooth and comfortable, even on the trails. That is because they’re lighter and more flexible than bias-ply tires. They seem to soak up small rocks and washboard gravel with relative ease.

Now, as far as snow and moderate mud traction go – the Bighorns kick ass. I’ve ridden with these tires in some pretty deep powder and never once felt like I was going to get stuck.

They just float over the snow and mud, instead of digging down a hole like some other tires.


2. ITP Mud Lite

ITP’s Mud Lites are considered one of the best ATV tires under a budget, and they have been going strong since their release in 2003.

If you don’t plan on riding over serious mud holes, then you don’t need to spend the extra money on a set of specialty mud tires. The ITP Mud Lites will do perfectly fine on almost all loose surfaces and for a fraction of the price – that’s why so many Honda Foreman 500 owners love them.

They are also one of the lightest tires on the market, which makes them great for those who like to ride fast. Furthermore, they won’t rob your engine of power since they’re lightweight. Even though they’re lightweight, they’re still durable enough to take a beating, thanks to their 6-ply bias design.

However, like all things in life, they do have a few drawbacks.

The main one is that they don’t handle as well on pavement and hardpack as other tires. But, if you’re mostly riding on trails, then this won’t be a problem.

Furthermore, they can get noisy on the road due to their large paddle-like tread lugs.


3. Maxxis Mud Bug

If you need your mud tires to be extra beefy, then you need to check out the Maxxis Mud Bugs.

These things are designed for riders who spend most of their time in the muck and need a tire that can take a beating, and they certainly look the part with their extra beefy agricultural-style tread.

The angled tread bars split and move mud away, which makes the tire float on loose surfaces, instead of digging in and sinking. These tires also have the best self-cleaning ability of any mud tire on the market.

The only downside to these tires is that they’re not as good on hard terrain as other mud tires. You’ll find yourself losing traction on corners sooner than you’d normally expect and if you mostly ride on hardpack and only occasionally take your Foreman 500 to big mud holes, then these tires might be an overkill.


4. SunF A033 Power I

But what if you’re looking for a tire that’s specifically designed for trails?

In that case, the SunF A033 Power I might just be the perfect choice for you. These tires are pretty much a copy of the Maxxis Bighorns, thus if you’re on a tight budget – the SunF A033 Power I are a great alternative.

Now since they really closely resemble the Bighorns visually, they also perform pretty similarly. They have great traction on all surfaces, they’re comfortable, and they provide good handling, but their bias-ply design is what’s holding them back from being great.

The main downside of bias-ply tires is that they’re not as flexible as radial ones, which leads to a harsher ride and slightly worse self-cleaning.

Apart from that, the SunF A033 Power I are fantastic all-around tires that are very inexpensive and won’t let you down on the trails and even harsh mud.


5. Kenda Bear Claw EVO

If you’re mostly using your Honda Foreman 500 for snow plowing, then you need to get yourself a set of Kenda Bear Claw EVOs.

These tires are known for their excellent traction in deep snow, which is thanks to their aggressive tread design. The lugs are also widely spaced out, which prevents the tire from packing up with snow.

One of the best things about the Bear Claw EVOs is that they’re also great in mud and other loose surfaces. Even though they don’t have the same self-cleaning ability as some of the other mud tires on this list, they still perform surprisingly well.

The only thing that might hold you back from getting these tires is their price. But, if you can afford them, then they’re definitely worth the investment.


How To Choose The Best Tire for Honda Foreman 500


Now that you know what some of the best tires for the Honda Foreman 500 are, it’s time to learn how to choose the right one for you.

There are a few things that you need to take into consideration before making your purchase, and we’ve listed them all below.

Radial vs Bias

We’ve mentioned those two terms in this article, but if you’re not familiar with them, here’s a quick explanation.

Radial-ply tires use cords that extend from bead to bead at a 90-degree angle right to the center of the tire. This makes the tire more flexible and thus provides better handling, more comfort, and better tread life.

The only real drawback to radial-ply tires is that they’re a bit more expensive. Other than that, they’re the better choice in pretty much every situation.

On the other hand, bias-ply tires share the same cords for both the tread and the sidewall. This allows for the whole tire to flex and it’s perfect for extreme offroading and rock crawling.

The main disadvantage to bias-ply tires is their slighter bigger weight and shorter tread life.

But which one’s better for the Honda Foreman 500?

We would recommend going with radial-ply tires simply because they’re a better all-around tire. The Foreman 500 is mostly used as a workhorse, but it’s still capable of going off the beaten path, and with radial-ply tires – you won’t have any problems.

Plus, they’re not that much more expensive than bias-ply tires, so it’s really a no-brainer.

Decide on What Type of ATV Tire You Need for Your Honda Foreman 500

Now that you know the difference between radial and bias-ply tires, it’s time to decide on what type of tire you need.

There are four main types of ATV tires – all-terrain, mud, sand, and racing.

Unless you’re mostly riding on a very specific type of terrain, the Honda Foreman 500 performs the best on all-terrain tires and mud tires.

All-Terrain

all-terrain atv tires

All-terrain tires do really well on all types of surfaces, from hard-packed dirt to mild mud and even snow. They do, however, perform the best on hardpack, so if you’re mostly riding on trails – they might be the right choice for you.

The only thing that all-terrain tires don’t do well is sand. But, if you’re not planning on riding in the sand often, then they’re still a great choice.

Lastly, all-terrain tires are also very comfortable, which is always a bonus.

Mud Tires

mud atv tires

Mud tires are great in, well, mud. They’re designed to float over mud instead of digging in, and paddle forward.

They have huge spaces between tread lugs, which minimizes the chances of mud sticking to them.

But surprisingly, mud tires are really great on snow as well. In fact, they do so well on snow, that ATV tire manufacturers no longer make dedicated snow tires.

So, if you live in an area with a lot of snow, then getting a set of mud tires might be a good idea.

However, mud tires are not that great on hard surfaces. They tend to be really loud, and they wear down quickly. So, if you’re mostly riding on trails or paved roads – they’re not the best choice.

Sand Tires

sand atv tires

Sand tires are specially designed for, you guessed it – sand.

They’re basically useless for anything other than sand dunes because their tread pattern is designed to paddle through sand.

Riding them on any hard surface would not only be incredibly bumpy and uncomfortable, but you also won’t be getting much traction.

Unless you’re riding your Honda Foreman 500 on sand most of the time, then you don’t need sand tires.

Racing Tires

racing atv tires

Last but not least, we have racing tires. These are meant for one thing and one thing only – going fast.

They have a very smooth tread pattern and they’re made from softer rubber compounds, which gives them incredible grip and handling on corners.

However, they don’t last very long and they’re not designed for severe mud. So, unless you’re planning on racing your Honda Foreman 500, then you don’t need racing tires.

Pick the Right Size Tire for Your Honda Foreman 500

Now that you know what type of tire you need, it’s time to pick the right size.

Most riders want to put bigger and wider tires on their Honda Foreman 500, and it’s easy to see why. Bigger and wider tires give you more ground clearance, which is great for going over obstacles.

They also make your ATV look a lot more aggressive. But, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before you go and buy a set of 35-inch tires.

First of all, bigger and wider tires are heavier, which means your Honda Foreman 500 will have to work harder to move them. This will make your ATV sluggish and less fuel-efficient.

Second, bigger and wider tires are more expensive. So, if you’re on a budget – you might want to stick with the stock size.

Lastly, bigger and wider tires can make your Honda Foreman 500 harder to control, especially on tight corners at speed.


Final Thoughts

There you have it, everything you need to know about picking the best tires for your Honda Foreman 500.

Remember, the best tires for you depend on what type of riding you’re doing most of the time. If you’re mostly riding on trails, then all-terrain tires or mud tires are a great choice.

But, if you’re mostly riding on pavement or in the sand – then you might want to stick with dedicated tires for those surfaces.

Whatever you decide, just make sure you pick the right size tire for your Honda Foreman 500.

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