ITP SS ALLOY WHEELS: New dimensions and a retro look
(2/18/2009)
You
can’t accuse ITP of resting on their past accomplishments. They have
always been at the forefront of ATV tire technology and trends. With
the release of their latest product, the same can be said. This new
product is actually two products; wheels. Called the SS Alloy line,
these new wheels have an appearance you would more likely see on a
1960s muscle car than on an ATV. In addition, this wheel line has new
dimensions that ITP hopes will set their products apart from the
competition. The SS line starts with a six-spoke cast aluminum
wheel available in sizes 14x6/14x8 and 12x7. This SS106-labeled wheel
has glossy black accents on each spoke and more around the entire outer
edge of the wheels. The second wheel, a twelve-spoke design, has black
accents or can be purchased with a polished, chrome finish available in
the same 12 and 14-inch sizes. These new wheels will fit almost every
brand and size of late model four-wheel drive quad and all of the
side-by-side machines. A 650-pound load rating will allow you to still
use your side-by-side machine for heavy-duty work.
ROLLING TEST
What we noticed about six-inch wide front and eight-inch wide rear
wheel sizes on our Yamaha Rhino is how positively traction was affected
verses our stock wheels and other seven-inch wide wheels we have
tested. In the front, steering was noticeably lighter. In this case,
the six-inch wheel creates a rounder profile front tire while driving
in a straight line. It still has lots of side bit in reserve for when
you start sawing at the steering wheel. The wider eight-inch rear
wheel has a wide enough offset so wheel spacers are not needed and the
footprint is flatter than the front so the most amount of forward
traction can be utilized. All of these attributes were felt on the
trail during our initial thirty-mile test. One of the best
features of this new wheel line is its warranty. ITP gives a free
lifetime warranty on these SS Alloy wheels. They say if you bend or
break a wheel bad enough where it will not function properly, they will
replace it free of charge. That’s almost unheard of in this industry. The
SS Alloys are available separately or in tire kits using Mud Lites,
XTRs or Terra Cross tires. The individual price of the SS Alloys start
at $80 for the six-spoke front wheels and top out at $97 for the 14x8
rears with the polished finish. Those prices include the center hubcaps
and lug nuts. To find an ITP dealer, call them direct at (909) 390-1905
or visit www.itptires.com.
WARNING: Much of the action depicted in this magazine is potentially dangerous. Virtually all of the riders seen in our photos are experienced experts or professionals. Do not attempt to duplicate any stunts that are beyond your own capabilities. Always wear the appropriate safety gear. Copyright 2008 Hi-Torque Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Console Login
