New here so I apologize if this has been answered before (I did search quite a bit).
I have a 2017 Sportsman XP 1000 base model.
I'm looking at upgrading wheels/tires, and trying to keep it as close to stock as possible, and not much wider than it already is. The dealership told me go 4+3, but through the digging so far, I get the feeling it will change the steering characteristics, increase overall width, and be getting covered in whatever I'm riding through. With the 5+2 I'm concerned with not having the necessary clearance inside.
It has the "body armor" the 16 ga steel tubing around it, so fender flares are not an option. (I'm in the NE so it's dense woods, rocky and swamps; old grizzly 700 plastics would take a beating rubbing up on trees/rocks - it has come in handy)
The setup I'd like:
wheels - Method Racing 405 beadlock wheels which'll be 14x7 for all four
tires- maxxis bighorns 26x9x14 in the front and 26x11x14 in the rear
It's really come down to 4+3 or 5+2?
Thank you in advance for your help. Any and all advice is appreciated.
I have a 2017 Sportsman XP 1000 base model.
I'm looking at upgrading wheels/tires, and trying to keep it as close to stock as possible, and not much wider than it already is. The dealership told me go 4+3, but through the digging so far, I get the feeling it will change the steering characteristics, increase overall width, and be getting covered in whatever I'm riding through. With the 5+2 I'm concerned with not having the necessary clearance inside.
It has the "body armor" the 16 ga steel tubing around it, so fender flares are not an option. (I'm in the NE so it's dense woods, rocky and swamps; old grizzly 700 plastics would take a beating rubbing up on trees/rocks - it has come in handy)
The setup I'd like:
wheels - Method Racing 405 beadlock wheels which'll be 14x7 for all four
tires- maxxis bighorns 26x9x14 in the front and 26x11x14 in the rear
It's really come down to 4+3 or 5+2?
Thank you in advance for your help. Any and all advice is appreciated.

