Best Honda Rancher Tire Options

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

Tread options for every terrain you tackle on your Rancher

If you’re an owner of this ATV, there’s a decent chance you’ve had to scrounge for a Honda Rancher tire at some point while the thing has taken up residence in your shed. After all, the old saying is absolutely true: if you haven’t gotten stuck or ruined a tire, you’re not trying hard enough out on the trails.

Honda started using the Rancher name about 20 years ago, applying it to a number of four-wheel ATVs with engines of varying displacements. After the debut of its 420 (heh) model, which brought the likes of a 4-stroke engine with electronic programmed fuel injection, the rig became very popular for buyers seeking a stout ATV that was reliable but not overpowered.

While sizes for Honda Rancher tire options are a bit odd, a fact which is not helped by staggered wheel sizes. Our best advice is to double check what you’re buying to avoid disappointment when the UPS truck shows up with your purchases.

Table of Contents

1. Editor's Choice: CST Abuzz

Finding a good set of Honda Rancher tires means buying two different sizes, so make sure you're getting the right stuff before unholstering that credit card. These hoops from Carlisle are available in a ton of different sizes, including the ones required for fitment on a Honda Rancher. Made in the United States, there's no shortage of good reviews on this tire, with more than one real-world customer calling it a 'great value'. Its tread pattern seems to be right on the money for a variety of different terrains; one person in Alaska talked about their suitability for the serious snow they get in that part of the world, while another mentioned the propensity to handle heavy trail riding. An aggregate score of 4.7 out of 5 stars across over 400 reviews is very confidence inspiring.

2. Runner Up: GBC Dirt Devil

There are no rules against adding a bit of color to the sidewall of an ATV tire, and this knobby rubber hoop from GBC does so in fine fashion with both yellow and red graphics splashed down the side. Of course, you'll be splashing mud on them equally as quickly, ensuring they turn a natty shade of brown in no time. These tires are available in a wide array of sizes - including the weirdo dimensions for the Honda Rancher - and have a load capacity just shy of 400 pounds. The manufacturer says this 6-ply rated radial tire's compound has been reformulated with more natural rubber, enhancing its elastic properties (read: it's not stiff as a board). Traction spikes were added to the tread pattern for ultimate grip in a wide range of terrain, plus each lug is dimpled with more biting edges for better traction and stability

3. Best Mud Tire: ITP Mega Mayhem

We'll talk about maximum tire sizes for the Honda Rancher in the FAQ section below but, for now, have a look at these gnarly mud tires from the ITP brand. They've a load capacity of 440 pounds and a very deep tread depth, making them a clear choice for those of you seeking out the next best mud pit. Ratings are even higher than the Carlisle tires in this list, with only 4% of customers giving these things less than 4 or 5 stars. Praise comes in the form of 'best I've used' for Alaskan moose hunting and 'amazing tire' for mud/trail use. They're made in the USA as well, so that's a definite bonus for most people. They are available in the proper wheel size for Rancher, but the overall height is greater than stock, it must be noted.

4. Maxxis M966 MudZilla

Note well, Honda riders: this tire from the well-known Maxxis brand is only available to fit on a 12-inch wheel. This makes it a good choice for the front of your Rancher but not so much for the infuriating 11-inch wheel on the back axle. Three (very sarcastic) cheers for the original engineer that decided on this particular feat of Honda design. Nevertheless, Maxxis Mudzillas are often praised for their ability to get into - and out of - very sticky situations, so these might be a good option assuming you've got a good set of similarly treaded tires for the rear of your Honda ATV.

5. Carlisle AT489C

Finding a good set of Honda Rancher tires means buying two different sizes, so make sure you're getting the right stuff before unholstering that credit card. These hoops from Carlisle are available in a ton of different sizes, including the ones required for fitment on a Honda Rancher. Made in the United States, there's no shortage of good reviews on this tire, with more than one real-world customer calling it a 'great value'. Its tread pattern seems to be right on the money for a variety of different terrains; one person in Alaska talked about their suitability for the serious snow they get in that part of the world, while another mentioned the propensity to handle heavy trail riding. An aggregate score of 4.7 out of 5 stars across over 400 reviews is very confidence inspiring.

What size are the stock Honda Rancher tires?

If you're trying to determine the stock tire size for your Honda Rancher, it makes a difference what engine it came with from the factory - at least for rear tires. The smaller 350 usually wore 24x9x11 on the back, while the 420 was generally found with 24x10x11 tires on its rear axle. So far as we can tell, all 4x4 Ranchers has 24x8x12 up front. This means, of course, that swapping tires from end to end is basically a non-starter.

How big can I go with Honda Rancher tires?

Absent a lift, and on stock wheels, it is typically accepted that a 27-inch tire is tall as you want to go without running into rubbing problems. Even upgrading a single inch, which shouldn't pose any issues, will likely open a world of new tire options since there seem to be many more 25-inch tires on the market than 24s.

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Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

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