There’s a specific, sinking feeling every ATV rider knows. It’s that moment when momentum dies, the engine whines, and the tires spin uselessly, throwing mud and frustration into the air. I’ve been there more times than I care to admit. My trusty Yamaha Wolverine 350, a fantastic machine, came with factory tires that were, to put it mildly, adequate for a manicured lawn. The first time I ventured into a real-world mud pit after a spring rain, they became slick, mud-caked donuts. I spent the next hour winching myself out, vowing never again to be let down by subpar rubber. That experience sent me on a quest for a tire that could deliver uncompromising grip, toughness, and confidence without demanding a king’s ransom. The right set of tires isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a fundamental transformation of your machine’s capability, turning a timid trail-hopper into an all-terrain conqueror.
- Aggressive Tread Design: Designed for mixed terrains, the Bearclaw EX features a rugged tread pattern with ramp-edge center knobs for improved traction and reduced rolling resistance.
- Rim Saver Technology: Protects the wheel rim from damage caused by rocks, ruts, and other off-road hazards, extending the life of your wheels.
What to Consider Before Buying ATV & UTV Tires
An ATV & UTV tire is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking your vehicle’s true potential. It’s the critical link between your machine’s power and the ground, responsible for traction, durability, and ride comfort. The right tires can mean the difference between scaling a rocky incline and sliding back down, or between a comfortable day on the trails and a day-ending puncture from a stray branch. They provide the confidence to explore more challenging terrain, carry heavier loads, and operate safely in diverse conditions, from deep mud and snow to hard-packed dirt and loose gravel.
The ideal customer for a high-performance, all-terrain tire is someone facing the limitations of their stock equipment. This includes trail riders seeking better grip in varied conditions, hunters and farmers needing puncture resistance in rugged environments, and performance enthusiasts who want to improve their machine’s handling and climbing ability. These tires might not be suitable for those who exclusively ride on sensitive turf like golf courses, as the aggressive tread can tear up the lawn, or for riders who primarily use their machine on pavement, where a less aggressive, street-oriented tire would offer a smoother ride and longer tread life. For those users, a turf-saver or a radial all-terrain tire with a tighter tread pattern might be a better alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Fitment: This is the most critical first step. You must ensure the tire size (e.g., 23×8-11, which means 23″ tall, 8″ wide, for an 11″ rim) matches your vehicle’s specifications and rim size. Consider clearance as well; a slightly taller tire, as some users opt for, can improve ground clearance but may require modifications to avoid rubbing on fenders or suspension components. Always check your owner’s manual for recommended sizes.
- Ply Rating & Durability: The ply rating is an indicator of the tire’s strength and puncture resistance. A higher rating, like the 6-ply construction of the Kenda Bearclaw EX, signifies a tougher casing that can withstand sharp rocks, sticks, and other trail hazards. While a 2-ply or 4-ply tire is lighter, it’s far more susceptible to flats, making a 6-ply or 8-ply tire a wise investment for serious off-roading.
- Tread Pattern & Terrain: The design of the tread lugs determines where the tire excels. Deep, widely spaced, and aggressive lugs are fantastic for digging into mud, snow, and loose soil. A tighter, more rounded pattern might be better for hardpack and offers a smoother ride. The Bearclaw EX uses a directional, aggressive pattern designed as a versatile “do-it-all” solution for mixed terrains.
- Construction & Ride Quality: Tires come in two main types: bias-ply and radial. Bias-ply tires (like the Bearclaw EX) are known for their tough, durable sidewalls that resist punctures and conform well to uneven terrain at low speeds. Radial tires, often found on higher-end UTVs, offer a smoother ride at higher speeds and better heat dissipation, but their sidewalls can be more vulnerable.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Kenda Bearclaw EX 23×8-11 Front ATV Tires 6-Ply stands out in several areas, particularly its balance of aggressive tread and robust construction. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Kenda Bearclaw EX 23×8-11 Front ATV Tires 6-Ply is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Front Size: 25x8-12 - Rear Size: 25x10-12 | Wheel (Rim) Diameter: Front 12 in - Rear 12 in
- Front tire size: 25x8-12 ; rear tire size: 25x10-12; wheel (rim) diameter: 12 in ; ply rated: 6 ;tread depth: 20mm;
- 【READY-TO-RIDE WHEEL & TIRE SET】: Two pre-mounted 25×8-12 tires on 12×6 rims (4×136 bolt pattern, ET 3.5 + 2.5) arrive fully inflated, eliminating extra mounting fees so you can hit the trail...
First Impressions: Unboxing the Beast
The package arrived promptly, and as many users have noted, the first look can be slightly alarming. The two tires were tightly banded together for shipping, compressing them into a somewhat warped oval shape. This is a common practice to save on shipping volume, but it can be intimidating if you’re not expecting it. My initial thought was, “How will this ever seat on the rim?” However, experience and the advice of fellow riders prevailed. I cut the bands and let the tires sit in the warm sun for a few hours. This simple step worked wonders, allowing the rubber to relax and regain most of its natural, rounded shape. They felt substantial and heavy in hand—a good sign. The sidewalls are noticeably thicker and stiffer than the stock tires they were replacing, immediately inspiring confidence. The tread itself is formidable; the lugs are deep (15mm to be exact) and sharp-edged. You can see the engineering in the ramp-edge center knobs, designed to provide bite while reducing rolling resistance on harder surfaces. Overall, despite the initial shipping squash, the build quality felt top-notch and ready for serious work.
What We Like
- Exceptional traction in mud, snow, and loose soil
- Robust 6-ply construction offers superior puncture resistance
- Excellent value for the level of performance and durability
- Rim Saver feature protects wheels from trail damage
Drawbacks
- Tires often arrive deformed due to tight shipping bands
- Can be difficult to mount without proper tools or techniques
Deep Dive: Putting the Kenda Bearclaw EX to the Test
A tire’s true character is only revealed on the trail. We mounted the Kenda Bearclaw EX 23×8-11 Front ATV Tires 6-Ply on our ’97 Yamaha Wolverine 350 and headed for our proving grounds—a mix of hard-packed fire roads, sloppy mud bogs, rocky creek beds, and steep, root-covered hill climbs. Over several weeks and hundreds of miles, we pushed these tires to their limits to see if the aggressive looks translated into real-world performance.
Tread Design and All-Terrain Traction: A Masterclass in Grip
The heart and soul of the Bearclaw EX is its aggressive, directional tread pattern. From the moment we rolled off the pavement and onto the dirt, the difference was staggering. On the stock tires, the front end would often wash out or push through corners if the soil was loose. With the Kendas, the steering became precise and immediate. The tall, angled shoulder lugs bite into the corners, pulling the machine through with authority. One user aptly described the performance as “grip and go,” and we couldn’t agree more. This newfound steering confidence allows you to carry more speed and ride more aggressively.
Where these tires truly shine, however, is when the going gets tough. We pointed the Wolverine towards our go-to mud hole, a section that had previously required 4WD and a lot of momentum. The Bearclaw EX tires churned through the thick, clay-like mud with ease, the deep voids between the lugs effectively clearing themselves with every rotation to find fresh grip. This self-cleaning ability is crucial; it prevents the tire from turning into a useless slick. We found similar results in wet, snowy conditions, corroborating a user’s report of “great grip in snow and mud.” On rocky climbs and through shale-littered creek beds, the tires clawed their way over obstacles, the flexible casing conforming to the terrain to maximize the contact patch. This is a tire that transforms your machine from being merely capable of handling rough terrain to actively seeking it out. For riders who need an immediate and dramatic improvement in traction, these Kenda tires deliver in spades.
The 6-Ply Fortress: Durability and Puncture Resistance
Traction is useless if you’re constantly fixing flats. This is where the 6-ply rated casing of the Kenda Bearclaw EX 23×8-11 Front ATV Tires 6-Ply becomes its most valuable asset. The stock 2-ply tires on many ATVs feel paper-thin by comparison and are notoriously vulnerable to punctures from sharp sticks and rocks. As one owner stated when buying for his daughter’s ATV, “6 ply tires so we don’t have to worry about twigs poking holes like the stockers.” This peace of mind is invaluable when you’re miles from the trailhead.
We deliberately rode through areas littered with sharp shale and thorny brush that would have made us nervous on lesser tires. The Bearclaws shrugged it all off without a single hiss of escaping air. The sidewalls are especially robust, resisting impacts and abrasions that would have easily gashed a thinner tire. Adding to this fortress-like protection is the “Rim Saver” technology. This is essentially a reinforced, raised bead of rubber that extends over the lip of the wheel. It acts as a buffer, protecting your valuable (and often expensive) aluminum or steel rims from getting scraped, dented, or bent by rocks and ruts. After several hard rides, our rims were still pristine, a testament to the effectiveness of this simple but brilliant feature. The combination of a tough casing and rim protection makes these tires a smart investment for preserving your entire wheel setup.
Mounting, Handling, and Overall Ride Quality
Let’s address the elephant in the room: mounting. The most common complaint by far is the deformed shape upon arrival. Our experience mirrored this. One of our tires was more compressed than the other, and seating the bead was a challenge. We used a combination of letting it sit in the sun, using a ratchet strap around the circumference to force the beads outward, and a healthy dose of soapy water. With a manual tire machine, we got it done, but as one user noted, “one tire was just so flat from shipping I couldn’t get air in it without a tube.” While they eventually inflate and straighten out perfectly, prospective buyers should be prepared for a bit of a fight during installation, especially without professional equipment. Having an extra set of hands is highly recommended.
Once mounted and on the trail, the ride quality is surprisingly good for such an aggressive tire. The recommended low operating pressure (7 PSI max) allows the tire to act as part of the suspension, soaking up smaller bumps and trail chatter. On our older machine, this made a noticeable difference in rider comfort over long distances. Another pleasant surprise was the handling. A user with an older Honda TRX 250 mentioned that the tires helped his machine “turn much easier,” and we found the same. The rounded profile allows the ATV to lean into turns smoothly and predictably, unlike flat turf-style tires that can make steering feel heavy and vague. While they aren’t designed for pavement and will produce some noise and vibration, they handle short stints on asphalt acceptably, but their home is definitively in the dirt.
What Other Users Are Saying
After analyzing dozens of user experiences, a clear consensus emerges. The overwhelming sentiment is positive, with most riders hailing the Kenda Bearclaw EX 23×8-11 Front ATV Tires 6-Ply as a massive upgrade over factory equipment, especially for the price. One rider put it perfectly, calling them a “night and day difference” and stating, “Before I couldn’t even go up a dry slope, now I’m hoping ditches with this unit.” Another, after putting 200 miles on them at the notoriously tough Hatfield-McCoy trail system, said they “Still look brand new.” This speaks volumes about their durability and performance.
The most consistent point of friction, as mentioned, is the shipping and mounting process. A user detailed their frustration: “They are in worrisome deformed shape… Arrived deformed and squished flat… They still haven’t taken regular shape after being left in the sun all day.” While this user and many others eventually got them mounted successfully, it is a recurring theme that requires patience. However, even those who struggled with installation almost universally updated their reviews to praise the tires’ performance once they were on the machine, with one concluding, “Tires went on easy [eventually] and straightened right out. Great grip in snow and mud.”
How Does the Kenda Bearclaw EX Compare to the Competition?
While the Kenda Bearclaw EX excels in its niche, the market offers other compelling options depending on your specific needs and budget. Here’s how it stacks up against three popular alternatives.
1. WANDA 4 ATV/UTV Tires 25×8-12 Front & 25×10-12 Rear
WANDA Set of 4 ATV/UTV Tires 25x8-12 Front & 25x10-12 Rear /6PR P373-10243/10244
- High quality to conquer all terrain!
- Tread depth: 15.2 mm, 25x8.00-12 (Rim Width: 6”, MaxLoad 340lb/7psi, Load/Speed Index. 43F), 25x10.00-12 (Rim Width: 8", MaxLoad 420lb/7psi, Load/Speed Index. 50F)
The WANDA P373 set is a strong contender for the budget-conscious rider who needs to replace all four tires at once. Often available as a complete front and rear package for a very attractive price, it offers a solid all-terrain tread pattern that is a significant step up from turf savers. While its 6-ply rating matches the Kenda’s durability on paper, the tread design is slightly less aggressive. This makes the WANDA set a great choice for general trail riding and utility work on mixed surfaces. However, for those who frequently tackle deep mud, snow, or extremely loose terrain, the Kenda Bearclaw EX’s more specialized, deeper lugs will provide a noticeable traction advantage.
2. TUSK Terrabite UTV/ATV Tires 8-Ply Rated
Tusk Terrabite Set of 4 UTV/ATV Tires – 27x9-12 Front & 27x11-12 Rear – 8-Ply Rated Radial...
- Set of 4 UTV/ATV Tires (Front & Rear) – Includes two 27x9-12 front tires and two 27x11-12 rear tires designed for medium-hard terrain performance.
- 8-Ply Rated Radial Construction – Provides strong durability and resistance to punctures and cuts for off-road durability.
The Tusk Terrabite represents a step up in terms of heavy-duty construction and is geared more towards UTVs and high-performance ATVs. Its key advantages are the 8-ply rating and its radial construction. The 8-ply casing offers an even higher level of puncture resistance, ideal for rocky desert or harsh mountain terrain. The radial design provides a smoother, more stable ride at higher speeds, making it superior for fast fire roads and hard-packed trails. The Terrabite’s truck-style tread is excellent on intermediate-to-hard terrain but may not clean out as effectively in thick mud as the Bearclaw EX. A rider who prioritizes high-speed stability and rock-crawling durability over mud performance would likely prefer the Tusk Terrabite.
3. MOTOOS 4 All Terrain ATV UTV Tires Front & Rear
Complete Set of 4 All Terrain ATV UTV Tires 25x8-12 Front & 25x10-12 Rear 6PR Tubeless
- Full set (2 front + 2 rear) Tubeless tires packed in 2 packages for complete replacement; Original equipment tread design, fitments for a variety of 2 and 4 wheel drive ATV applications.Prior to...
- Tread depth: 0.79", Front tires :25x8.00-12 (Rim Width: 6.5", 370lbs@14psi), Rear tires:25x10.00-12 (Rim Width: 8", 420lbs@14psi)
Similar to the WANDA set, the MOTOOS offering provides a complete four-tire solution at a very competitive price point. These tires feature a classic, non-directional all-terrain tread pattern that is versatile and performs well across a variety of conditions. Their 6-ply construction provides good durability for general use. The main difference lies in the tread philosophy; the MOTOOS tires are a true generalist’s choice, providing predictable handling on everything from dirt to light mud. The Kenda Bearclaw EX, with its directional and more aggressive design, is more of a specialist that excels in soft, loose conditions while still performing admirably elsewhere. For a user looking for a simple, affordable, and dependable all-around replacement set, the MOTOOS is a fantastic option.
Our Final Verdict: The Best Bang-for-Your-Buck Upgrade
After extensive testing and analysis, we can confidently say that the Kenda Bearclaw EX 23×8-11 Front ATV Tires 6-Ply is one of the best performance-to-price values on the ATV tire market. It transforms a machine’s capabilities, replacing the often-anemic grip of stock tires with ferocious, confidence-inspiring traction in the toughest conditions. The 6-ply construction and Rim Saver feature provide the durability and peace of mind needed to venture further and tackle more challenging trails.
While the initial challenge of mounting them due to shipping deformation is a valid concern, it is a temporary hurdle that is quickly forgotten once you experience the massive upgrade in performance. For the trail rider, hunter, or property owner looking for a durable, aggressive, and affordable tire that punches well above its weight class, the Kenda Bearclaw EX is an outstanding choice that we wholeheartedly recommend.
If you’ve decided the Kenda Bearclaw EX 23×8-11 Front ATV Tires 6-Ply is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API