You own one of the most capable ATVs on the market: the Can-Am Outlander 850. It’s a beast of a machine, packed with power and ready to tackle just about anything you throw at it. But have you ever felt like you’re not getting all the performance you paid for, especially when the trail gets nasty?
You’re not imagining it. The single biggest bottleneck between your Outlander’s raw power and the dirt is often the stock tires. They’re a compromise designed for a little bit of everything, which means they don’t truly excel at anything.
We promise this guide will change that. We’re going to break down everything you need to know to choose the absolute best tires for can am outlander 850 based on how and where you ride. We’ll cover different tire types, explain what the jargon on the sidewall actually means, and give you our top picks to transform your machine into an unstoppable force.
Keep reading to unlock your Outlander’s true potential.
Why Your Stock Tires Just Aren’t Cutting It
Think of the tires that came on your Outlander 850 as a “one-size-fits-all” t-shirt. It technically works, but it’s rarely the perfect fit. Manufacturers install these tires to perform adequately across a wide range of conditions for the average user.
But you’re not the average user. You want to push your machine. The moment you hit deep mud, sharp rocks, or fast-paced hardpack trails, the limitations of stock rubber become glaringly obvious.
The benefits of best tires for can am outlander 850 are immediate and profound. Upgrading gives you a purpose-built tool for your specific passion. You’ll experience drastically improved traction, a significant reduction in punctures, and a more controlled, confident ride. It’s the single most effective performance modification you can make.
Decoding ATV Tire Specs: A No-Nonsense Guide
Before you can pick the perfect tire, you need to speak the language. The numbers and terms on a tire’s sidewall can seem confusing, but they’re actually a simple code that tells you everything you need to know. This is a crucial part of our best tires for can am outlander 850 guide.
Understanding Tire Sizes
You’ll see a series of numbers like 26×9-12. Here’s the breakdown:
- 26: This is the tire’s overall height in inches when inflated.
- 9: This is the tire’s width in inches.
- 12: This is the wheel or rim diameter in inches that the tire fits.
Your Outlander 850 likely came with 26-inch tires on 12-inch or 14-inch rims, depending on the model. You can often go up an inch or two in size without modifications, but larger sizes may require clutch work or lift kits.
Ply Rating and Durability
The ply rating indicates the tire’s toughness and puncture resistance. It’s not about the literal number of layers anymore, but an equivalent strength rating. For a powerful machine like the 850, a 6-ply rating is the minimum you should consider. For rocky terrain, an 8-ply or even 10-ply tire offers maximum peace of mind.
A higher ply rating means a stiffer sidewall, which protects against sharp sticks and rocks that would shred a lesser tire.
Tread Patterns Explained
The tread pattern is where the magic happens. This is the most critical factor in matching a tire to your terrain.
- All-Terrain Tires: The jack-of-all-trades. They have moderately spaced lugs that provide good grip on hardpack, trails, and in light mud. A great choice if you ride a bit of everything.
- Mud Tires: These are specialists. They feature very deep, widely spaced lugs designed to paddle through the thickest mud and self-clean to maintain traction. They can be rough on hard surfaces.
- Trail/Hardpack Tires: Characterized by tighter tread patterns and a larger contact patch, these tires offer excellent control, braking, and stability on groomed trails, dirt roads, and rocky surfaces.
- Rock Crawling Tires: These often have flexible carcasses and super-sticky rubber compounds to grip onto bare rock faces. They are a niche but highly effective choice for specific terrains.
Radial vs. Bias-Ply Construction
This refers to how the tire is built. A radial tire offers a smoother ride, better heat dissipation at high speeds, and a larger footprint for traction. A bias-ply tire generally has tougher sidewalls, making it more resistant to punctures in rough, low-speed conditions. Most modern high-performance ATVs benefit from radial tires.
The Best Tires for Can-Am Outlander 850: Top Picks for Every Rider
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff. We’ve put countless sets of tires through their paces on our own machines. Here are our top recommendations based on real-world testing and what we know works for the Outlander 850’s impressive power.
For the All-Terrain Explorer: The Do-It-All Champion
If your rides involve a mix of forest trails, gravel roads, a little mud, and some rocky sections, an all-terrain tire is your best bet.
Our Pick: Maxxis Bighorn 2.0
The Bighorn is a legend for a reason. Its radial construction provides a surprisingly smooth ride, and its non-directional tread pattern grips everything well. They are durable, predictable, and an excellent upgrade over stock. The 2.0 version is slightly lighter than the original, which helps preserve your machine’s snappy feel.
For the Mud Warrior: Maximum Grip in the Sloppy Stuff
When the trail turns into a peanut butter pit, you need a tire that digs deep and doesn’t quit. These tires will transform your 850 into a true mud monster.
Our Pick: ITP Cryptid
With its paddle-like, chevron-style tread pattern and deep lugs (up to 2 inches!), the Cryptid is an absolute beast in the mud. The tread is designed to clean out efficiently, so you’re always biting into fresh ground. Be warned: this is a serious mud tire and will ride rough on hardpack.
For the Trail Dominator & Rock Crawler
For riders who prioritize precision handling on fast trails, hardpack, and technical rocky climbs, a dedicated trail or rock tire is the way to go.
Our Pick: EFX MotoHammer
This is a fantastic tire for the varied terrain found in places like Moab or the Hatfield-McCoy trails. It’s an 8-ply, DOT-approved radial tire with a truck-inspired tread. It gives you incredible feedback, high-speed stability, and the toughness to crawl over sharp rocks without fear. It’s one of the best best tires for can am outlander 850 best practices for riders who cover a lot of ground.
A Note on Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Tire Options
The off-road world is becoming more conscious of its environmental impact. While no tire is truly “green,” some brands are making strides. Look for companies that focus on creating extremely long-lasting tread compounds. The most sustainable best tires for can am outlander 850 choice you can make is buying a high-quality, durable tire that you won’t have to replace for thousands of miles, reducing waste in the long run.
How to Choose the Right Tires: Your Personal Decision Guide
Feeling overwhelmed by the options? Don’t be. Follow these simple steps to narrow down the perfect choice for you. This is our quick-start section on how to best tires for can am outlander 850 for your specific needs.
Step 1: Honestly Assess Your Primary Riding Terrain
This is the most important step. Be realistic. If 80% of your riding is on groomed trails and 20% is in mud, an aggressive mud tire will be miserable most of the time. Choose the tire that best suits the majority of your riding, not the most extreme 10%.
Step 2: Consider Your Budget vs. Long-Term Value
It can be tempting to go for the cheapest option, but this is often a mistake. Premium tires from brands like Maxxis, ITP, and EFX use better rubber compounds that last longer and perform better. Investing a bit more upfront often saves you money because you won’t be replacing them as quickly.
Step 3: Match the Tire to Your Machine’s Power
The Outlander 850 has serious torque. A cheap, soft-compound tire can get chewed up quickly. You need a tire with a robust construction and a durable tread compound that can handle the power without disintegrating.
Common Problems and Best Practices for Your New Tires
Getting the right tires is only half the battle. Proper care ensures they perform their best and last as long as possible. Avoiding these common problems with best tires for can am outlander 850 will save you headaches down the road.
Problem: Improper Air Pressure
This is the #1 mistake we see. Too much air reduces the tire’s contact patch, leading to a harsh ride and poor traction. Too little air can cause sidewall rollover in corners and increases the risk of debeading the tire. Check your tire’s sidewall for the recommended pressure range and adjust based on terrain. A good starting point for trail riding is often 5-7 PSI.
Best Practice: Regular Inspections
Before every ride, do a quick walk-around. Look for cuts, embedded rocks, or nails. A small issue found in the garage is much easier to deal with than a flat tire 10 miles down the trail. This simple check is a core part of any good best tires for can am outlander 850 care guide.
Best Practice: Proper Cleaning
After a muddy ride, wash your tires and wheels. Caked-on mud can hide damage and throw the wheel assembly out of balance, causing vibrations. A clean machine is a happy machine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Can-Am Outlander 850 Tires
Can I run a larger tire size on my stock Outlander 850?
Generally, yes. You can usually go up one or two inches in tire height (e.g., from a 26″ to a 27″ or 28″ tire) on a stock machine without any clearance issues. Going larger than that may require a lift kit and could cause rubbing at full suspension compression or full steering lock.
Do I need to upgrade my clutch when I get bigger tires?
If you’re only going up an inch or two, your stock clutch will likely be fine. However, for larger, heavier tires (especially aggressive mud tires), a clutch kit is highly recommended. It will recalibrate your CVT to handle the extra rotating mass, restoring lost acceleration and preventing belt slippage.
What’s the best tire pressure for trail riding on an Outlander 850?
A great starting point for general trail riding is between 5 and 8 PSI. Lower pressure (around 4-5 PSI) can provide better grip in mud or on rocks, while higher pressure (8-10 PSI) is better for hardpack and high-speed riding. Always experiment in a safe area to see what feels best for your setup and riding style.
Choosing the right tires is about tailoring your Outlander 850 to your personal adventure. By understanding your terrain and a few key specs, you can make a choice that completely transforms your riding experience, giving you more grip, more confidence, and more fun.
Now get out there, get those new tires dirty, and ride with confidence. We’ll see you on the trail!
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