25x10x12 ATV tires are most commonly found on the rear of a utility quad or UTV and are paired with a set of 25x8x12 tires for the front. Since these sizes are many ATV manufacture’s stock OEM fitments, tire brands have manufactured many types of tires around this combination. So, with so many choices, where do you begin? We’ve put together this page of our recommendations to help narrow down your choices and help you make an informed buying decision.
To start, what do you predominantly ride, dry dirt, moderate mud, extreme mud, rocky or mountain trails?
Mostly Dry Trail
A tire that has a tread pattern with lots of smaller lugs and knobs is more suitable for this application. This kind of tire will offer great traction and a smooth ride. If you’re on a budget, a 4 ply tire will withstand most punctures in normal riding conditions. But a 6 ply tire is recommended for extra protection.
Recommended Tire Models
Carlisle ATV489 XL 25x10x12
The original Carlisle AT489 impressed us so much we think the XL’s 6ply construction and taller tread is the icing on the cake. We’d jump on these tires immediately.
For the best in puncture resistance step up to a radial 8 ply tire. The Grim Reaper is perfect for trail riders looking for a premium tire model that can keep up with the highest demands. You can read our full review Here.
Moderately Muddy Trails
Since these trails have a few spots that offer a good chance of getting stuck it’s best to be setup with a tire that gives you a slight advantage without sacrificing ride quality when you’re not in the mud.
Recommended Tire Models
ITP Mud Lite AT 25x10x12
One of the reasons this is one of our favorites is its low cost, but yet, it’s made by arguably the most popular ATV tire and wheel brand on the market. The Mud Lite AT’s tread pattern is perfect for displacing mud, yet it treads are closer together and a little shorter (3/4in.) from the XL (1 1/8in.) model to offer a smooth ride while on hard pack surfaces.
Kenda Bearclaw HTR 25x10x12
Kenda just introduced this tire as one of their introductory models into the 8 ply radial space. Not only does the radial design help with ride quality on hard pack, the HTR’s tread design with recessed pockets in the lugs delivers significant traction on dry and loose dirt. Along with it’s nearly one inch tall treads making it well equipped to tackle those mud pits along the trails, the Bearclaw HTR is one killer tire in its element.
Extreme Mud & Blackwater Trails
This application demands a tire with a deep tread pattern especially designed for displacing lots of water and sloppy mud.
Recommended Tire Models
ITP Mud Lite XL 25x10x12
The Mud Lite has a full 1 1/8 tread depth with well spaced lugs to allow efficient clean out of mud between the treads. Find yourself doing more floating then mudding, the XL’s aggressive tread pattern can really turn some water.
We like 6 ply tires in most cases but it’s hard to pass up over 1 ½ inch tall blackwater hungry treads. The TSL’s thinner 4 ply carcass doesn’t scare us and we stand by this tire. The tire options with this deep of a tread depth for 12 inch wheels are slim and we’re glad Interco made one available.
Rocky & Mountain Trails
8 ply radial tires have taken the market by storm and several brands have jumped on the wagon developing multiple 8 ply radial models. These are perfect for rocky trails that have lots of chances for you to get a flat from an impact puncture caused by the sidewall of the tire being pinched between a rock and the rim of the wheel.
The radial design allows the tire to stay square with the surface during articulation, perfect for rock crawling. A tread pattern that has big lugs with large amounts of space between them are perfect. This will give the tire a chance to grapple onto the edge of the rock getting traction and allowing the quad to crawl over it.
Recommended Tire Models
ITP’s Bajacross tires were mounted on the UTV that won the 2009 Baja 500 & 1000, so it’s already been run through tough testing by professional racers. The Bajacross sports one of our favorite features, a built in rim guard that helps protect the wheel from getting thrashed by big rocks.
Ever heard of Pit Bull? Well they make premium off-road truck & motorsports tires. They also offer a small line of awesome ATV tires and the Rocker II XOR is one of their radial 8 ply tires. Notice the thick, tall 1 1/8in. tall lugs, perfect for running on rocky trails.