Maxxis Bighorn MT-762 tires

[thecriscokid]

I am a BIG fan of Maxxis tires! Mostly the 26x2.35-2.7" versions =) AKA. my trail bike and downhill bikes. Anyway I have been needing some new rubber and I like the fact that the Bighorns are studdable and can be obviously siped.
My biggest question is: how easily can the studs be removed??
I ask because I live near a few ski towns in CO and I am needing snow tires.
How feasible is it to buy a set, sipe or have them siped and studded, then remove the studs come spring/ dessert time? I must say, it seems like a lot of work. I am favoring 2 full sets, BFG AT's or Bighorns and then a set of full snow tires all mounted w/ Equal or Dyna Beads.
Any insight is appreciated

 

[bigreen505]

Criso, go buy yourself a set of Cooper M&S and stud them for winter, or get Nokians. They are worth it.

If you are looking for an aggressive tire to run year round, check out the Truxs MT. They wear fast because of the soft rubber, but they are the only MT type tire I am aware of that are not bad on snow.

 

[thecriscokid]

Criso, go buy yourself a set of Cooper M&S and stud them for winter, or get Nokians. They are worth it.

If you are looking for an aggressive tire to run year round, check out the Truxs MT. They wear fast because of the soft rubber, but they are the only MT type tire I am aware of that are not bad on snow.

Thanks, I have driven the Cooper M+S studded before on RWD vans and they are great. Very predictable. I'm really hoping to keep the same ground clearance as my 285/75/16's. It's very hard to find taller snow tires in the states.
In all reality, my dream of having a snow/mud tire for the fall, winter, and spring mud and snow season then a BFG AT for my longer trips trough the desert and general on/off road is just that. A DREAM...

The Bighorn would be the closest to that tire if heavily siped and studded.
Best case scenario for me is to find a used set to experiment with.
Thanks

 

[JJackson]

I could be wrong but I think you can't put studs in after they have been removed. Maybe they can drill new holes. But empty holes get chewed up and have debris stuck in them.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on another set of Bighorns for my Tacoma, (32-11.5-R15). While mine didn't get nearly the life some of you are getting out of yours, these have seen over 10% of their miles in the dirt/rocks and run quite a bit at low psi's hopping between trails on the highway underneath a pretty heavy truck. Can't say I've ever been disappointed with their actual performance thusfar.

Best price I've found so far is $650 for 4 shipped to my door. Paid $450 for my first set (05') and $508 for my second set (07'). Seems they have really spiked in the last year. Anyone found a better source than the eBay outfits?

 

[hoser]

Might possibly see lower prices in the near future as the cost of petroleum has dropped.

 

[Redline]

I don't have a better source, I buy mine from Les Schwab. But I have noticed that tires have gone up in the past couple of years.

You obviously like the Bighorns if you are about to buy your third set, quite an endorsement.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...You obviously like the Bighorns if you are about to buy your third set, quite an endorsement.

I would safely say so. I run pretty much exclusively Goodyear MTR's on my bigger rigs (FJ40 & FJ62) and often buy those in bulk (8 at a time type of deal). However for the "lighter" Tacoma the Big Horns are the best I've found. I ran the BFG AT's on my first Tacoma, no qualms a great tire, but not as aggressive as I prefer. I don't really commute at all with my truck, unless I'm heading out on a 4x4 trip its not uncommon for me to put less than 20 miles on my truck in a week, so the accelerated wear of the Big Horns doesn't seem to be a major factor. Kind've rambling but in a round about way I would say they are a great tire

 

[bkw]

Anyone try siping these tires? I'm at 18k miles and the factory mini-sipes are pretty much gone, and we're deep into winter now. I've noticed a definite decrease in winter driving stability with these as opposed to last winter and considering siping these myself.

Thanks!

 

[Redline]

I had my set commercially siped when new, 9/32" deep. Currently they are only worn down to 14/32" from the original 19/32", after about 9,000-miles of use.

Edit: added up all the miles in my log and they have traveled 12k (not 9K) and are at 14/32"


I really like the tire siped, but don't know how it handles when not siped. I had been considering not siping the next set to see how they are without added siping, but lately I have been leaning toward siping the second set the same, 9/32" deep.

I'm guessing at 18k you have worn the tread down to about 9-10/32", is that right?

Anyone try siping these tires? I'm at 18k miles and the factory mini-sipes are pretty much gone, and we're deep into winter now. I've noticed a definite decrease in winter driving stability with these as opposed to last winter and considering siping these myself.

Thanks!

 

[bkw]

I'll grab a ruler and measure them this weekend, but I'd imagine that theyre a little less than half worn.

I must say that I'm quite impressed with these in almost every aspect. Theyre great on the trails, the road, wear nicely and evenly (with proper rotation). They are getting a tad louder, but it's barely anything when compared to the BFG KM's I had on prior.

I'll pick up another set at 35K miles, or whenver I see them pop up at mac's tire bin.


As for siping, I'm going to try going the DIY route with a modified box cutter this weekend over the center lugs.

 

[Redline]

I agree, so far my (siped) Bighorns have performed very well for me. Grip and wear both seem to be good.

I would prefer if they were a little quieter, but also agree they are not as loud as the BFG KM(1).

We look forward to hearing how much tread you have remaining.

I'll grab a ruler and measure them this weekend, but I'd imagine that theyre a little less than half worn.

I must say that I'm quite impressed with these in almost every aspect. Theyre great on the trails, the road, wear nicely and evenly (with proper rotation). They are getting a tad louder, but it's barely anything when compared to the BFG KM's I had on prior.

I'll pick up another set at 35K miles, or whenver I see them pop up at mac's tire bin.


As for siping, I'm going to try going the DIY route with a modified box cutter this weekend over the center lugs.

 

[JJackson]

I managed to cut the side wall on one of mine, did not leak but just bought a replacements since I have just over 5000 miles. I will use the spare and the new tire on one end of the truck, as I don't believe it will make much difference. I have been running around 15lbs off road and running some rugged terrain and even some rock crawling. I am very happy with these tires, they grip well and I personally do not find them loud for a mud terrain. Due to the conditions I expose these tires to I do find some chunking on the tread.

 

[Redline]

What Mickey Thompsons do you have, MTZ? Care to share what you don't like about them? I was thinking of a set of MTZs in 285/75.

Maybe I will just relax and stick with the Bighorns.

I had bighorns on my surf (4runner) in 32" 11.5 R15's and it was a heavy vehicle because of all the extras. I found the wear to be quite reasonable and I LOVED the tyre, in fact I'm upset that I've changed to Micky Thompsons on the new truck as I'm not very happy with them in a number of ways, my next set will be another set of Bighorns. :bowdown:

 

[FourByLand]

255 85 16 Maxxis Bighorn on 16x7" rims, Sorry for the proverbial "crappy cell phone pic"!