Conclusion
After compiling all of the information, we found that each of these tires performed very well and possessed their own positive characteristics while also having their own slight drawbacks. The SuperATV.com Terminator is a good tire if you're in need of serious ground clearance and want an extremely aggressive look, but its tight lug spacing and poor self-cleaning ability leave much to be desired for those who need the most bite in the bog and can put a strain the machine with its weight. The Gorilla Silverback and High Lifter Outlaw are very close in their mud-trenching and cleaning ability, but the Silverback pulls through the bog with a little more bite. In an overall sense, the Outlaw might be the best option as it takes a step ahead in the ridability department with its flat contact patch and superior handling at all speeds and is by far the most trail-friendly. If you were to spend more time in the ATV swallowing marshes than hitting the trails, then the Silverback could be the tire of your choice since you have that extra ground clearance and earth-carving tread pattern. Either way, we think we have provided you with a solid comparison so you can figure out which tire suits your needs. Just make sure you let us know your thoughts after you make your purchase.
During our testing on the hard-packed surfaces of a trail we were starting to have mixed feelings. At low speeds, the Silverback has a very squishy feel since the carcass of the tire is very pliable even for a six-ply tire. This gives the rider a feeling as if he were on a hovercraft, which isn't bad as long as we kept the speeds under 10 mph. As we increased our speed we also felt the ride height of the tire increase as it expanded, resulting in a narrowing contact patch of the tire to the ground. This would leave the rider with less control and occasionally having to countersteer a rear end trying to pass the front. The self-cleaning ability of the Silverbacks is excellent as the tread spacing is perfect for the thickest clay and muck was easily ejected from the tire at almost any speed.
We feel that the Silverback is pure traction, and the mud racing community has embraced its proven performance. While Gorilla Axle claims this was never meant to be a "race-only" tire, most people agree that these tires mounted on crush-lock wheels is a winning combination.
| + |
Sheer unadulterated traction! Stated as a non-purpose-built tire that provides the best in ground grip to the race community. Tough rubber compound that lasts longer than its competition. |
|
|
A lug that rides down the center of the tire causes a tapered contact patch with the trail. The Silverback performs at its best at lower speeds. |
- |
| = |
The tire of choice for those who spend more time in the muck and not on trails. |
|
Company: Gorilla Axle
Model/Size: Silverback/32x10-14
Retail Price: $169.20
Actual Height: 301/2 in.
Circumference: 96.75 in.
Weight Without Wheel: 52.4 lb