Written on 12/28/09 by Greg Jacobs Owner and Senior Editor of Jacobs Atv Adventures & Jacobs Atv Magazine Back to Main

THERE ARE TEN PAGES TO THIS REVIEW ALL PAGE LINKS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGES

THERE ARE TEN PAGES TO THIS REVIEW ALL PAGE LINKS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGES

I'd like to welcome Pit Bull Tire Company to the Magazine. Pit Bull Tire Company is a leading manufacturer of LT, and 4x4 tires for all sorts of motorsports. As a division of St. Louis based nationwide wholesaler Tire Mart, Inc. Pit Bull is celetrating it's sixteenth year in the extreme off road field. Pit Bull entered the market back in 1994, and since then has expanded into other motorsports, and non-motorsport markets with it's Rocker, Maddog, and Growler LT, and 4x4 lines. Pit Bull has been a sponser of many clubs such as the NTPA, ATPA, CORR, SNORE, WEROCK, PRO ROCK, and UROC. Their goal is to develop new ideas into exceptional products that will help push technology in the tire industry to another level of excellence. They strive for first quality products that work...at reasonable prices...that is their goal. Guys, not only do they offer an outstanding product, but as an American company firmly entrenched in American ideals...they believe that American ingenuity has been, is, and will continue to be the driving force of the world's technology. When so many companies have outsourced  their production, and elminated U.S. workers jobs, Pit Bull has stayed in the U.S., and continues to produce their tires right here in the Good ol' U.S.A. So, when you find a cheaper knock off tire think twice before buying it, and support the Companies that are still here in the U.S. continuing to employee our friends, family members, and neighbors.

I am always in search for the perfect rock/technical/off camber tire, and I have tested many, many tires in all sorts of extreme conditions. I came across Pit Bull tires through a good friend of mine Mike Bell, who is into Atv/Jeep/Truck Off Roading, and he has always been impressed with Pit Bull tires, especially in the Jeep and Truck Off Road arena. He mentioned that Pit Buill Tires have now crossed into the Atv world with their Rocker and Growler tire. They have taken their proven technology from their 4x4 and Truck tires, and have applied it to an Atv tire. I recently visited Len at CowTown USA, Cuba, Missouri, while purchasing a 2010 Can Am Outlander 800R Max Ltd. Len showed me the Pit Bull Rocker tires they were selling/testing out. Len asked me if I was familiar with these tires, and I had to laugh to myself, since my good friend Mike just spoke about these tires. I said, yes, I've heard of them, but I haven't seen them up close, and I was considering them for testing. Len, put me in contact with Mike Greene from Pit Bull tires, and I told him I would be interested in testing out the Rockers. The rest is history, and here is the review.

Tire Selection

I want to start with the most important decision you will need to make, and that is what size do you want to run. Throughout the 10 years of riding I have ridden everything from 23" to 32" tires, I know what works and what does not work, depending on your situation. Without getting into a full review of which tire and size is best for you, I am going to just keep it to this review. If you are intersted in finding out which setup is best for you and your riding situation you can click on this link, but keep in mind you need to be a Magazine Member to have access this link. For the type of trail/off camber/technical riding I do, I only run 25" or 26" tires. Size 25" or 26" tires are a good compromise between not ruining your trail performance, but still getting through tough and difficult terrain. However, with a smaller tire you may need to work your machine a little more to get through, since your ground clearance is reduced. Another thing you need to decide is whether you want a 12" or 14" tire since Pit Bull offers both. I personally prefer a 12" tire since you will get a little more sidewall flex on the trail, thus offering a smoother ride. However, if you have a UTV or want a slightly stiffer tire than 14" tire will work. Plus, a 14" tire looks better than a 12" tire, so it just depends on what you are looking for.

Pit Bull offers three different Atv/UTVtires. One, tire is called The Growler. The Growler is design more for trail riding, mud riding, snow, and sand riding. The Growler comes in 6ply or 8ply. Pattern tread design is based on their CORR, XRRA, Tough Truck, TTC, WSORR, DHRA, and NMRO proven & Multiple motorsport Growler off-road LT tires. Pit Bull Tires' are not new to extreme tire dirt, sand, snow, and mud riding.

Pit Bull Growler

These tires have a multi-varied patented tread block design, which creates an alternating biting pattern for maximum traction, cleanout, and stability. Rounded edge tread blocks help reduce wear and noise. These tires have a 6 ply or 8ply rating to maximize strength, and minimize weight. Plus these tires have their "Tear It Up" rubber compound, which is similar rubber used in their extreme LT tires that have proven themselves time and again on some of the most powerful rigs and extreme conditions on Earth. When you combine their rubber compound with their innovative construction technology, you have one incredibly Tough Tire.  This  allows for excellent flex for a great ride and longer lasting wear characteristics. These tires have over-the-shoulder lugs designed by using "Fang Technology" which wraps down the sidewall and add extra strength and traction to the shoulder and sidewall areas. The primary benefit of their staggered over-the-shoulder lugs is to help reduce excessive drag. These tires also have Integrated Sidewall Protectors, which basically are sidewall bands of rubber that can take the brunt of many impacts to help protect the sidewall rims. You will notice a hefty Rim Guard also, which helps to protect the rim of the wheel. The lugs are not your standard flat lugs, the top of these lugs have Serious Siping which increases the biting edges and traction. The design helps to prevent foreign material build-up on the tire lug surface. The tread is considered a High Void Tread which allows for easy cleanout and increased traction. In addition, there are Reinforced Tread Blocks which add strengths to the lugs. Plus, these tires have style to them with their Chain links, Dog's head logo, along with lighting bolts.

Pit Bull also offers the Rocker which is designed for rock crawling/trails/moderate mud. Pattern Tread design is based on their CORR, XRRA, Tough Truck, TTC, WSORR, DHRA, and NMRO proven & Multiple motorsport Growler off-road LT tires.

Pit Bull Rocker

These tires have a Multi-varied patented tread block design which create an alternating biting pattern for maximum traction, cleanout, and stability. Rounded edge tread blocks help reduce wear and noise. These tires have a 8 ply-rating to maximize strength. Plus these tires have their "Tear It Up" rubber compound, which is similar rubber used in their extreme LT tires that have proven themselves time and again on some of the most powerful rigs and extreme conditions on Earth. When you combine their rubber compound with their innovative construction technology, you have one incredibly Tough Tire, that allows for excellent flex for a great ride and longer lasting wear characteristics. These tires have over-the-shoulder lugs designed using "Fang Technology" which wrap down the sidewall and add extra strength and traction to the shoulder and sidewall areas. The primary benefit of their staggered over-the-shoulder lugs is to help reduce excessive drag. These tires also have Integrated Sidewall Protectors, which basically are sidewall bands of rubber that can take the brunt of many impacts to help protect the sidewall rims. You will notice a much deeper Rim Guard , which helps to protect the rim of the wheel. On the Rocker this is known as ExD (Extra Deep Rim Guard), this adds extra help making off-roading hassle free, and this feature offers ultimate wheel-lip protection. The lugs are not your standard flat lugs, the top of these lugs have Gradual sloping divots which increases the biting edges and traction. The design helps to prevent foreign material build-up on the tire lug surface. The Rockers have stepped lugs which aid in lateral traction and stability, something they have been using since 2002. In addition, there are Reinforced Tread Blocks that add strengths to the lugs. These tires also have Stone Kickers which help wiggle out foreign material build-up, and High Void Treads for easy cleanout and increased traction. Plus, these tires have style to them with their Chain links, Dog's head logo, along with lighting bolts.

These tires come in the following sizes.

Pit Bull Rocker UBER, XOR 8ply 25.5x8x12 25.5x10x12 26.5x9x12 26.5x11x12 27.5x9x12 27.5x11x12 25.5x8x14 25.5x10x14 26.5x9x14 26.5x11x14 27.5x9x14 27.5x11x14 1 1/8th" Tread Depth Front and Rear

Pit Bull Growler XOR 6ply 25.5x8x12 25.5x10x12 25.5x8x14 25.5x10x14 Pit Bull Growler UBER, XOR 8ply 26.5x9x12 26.5x11x12 27.5x9x12 27.5x11x12 26.5x9x14 26.5x11x14 27.5x9x14 27.5x11x14 1" Tread Depth Front 1 1/8th" Rear

So, what tire did we decide to choose for our testing? I chose the Pit Bull Rocker 25.5x8x12 for the front, and 25.5x10x12 for the rear.  If I were riding more extreme rocks and mud, I would of chosen the 27.5" tire for extra ground clearance, and a larger foot print. Plus, these tires measured one half inch larger. I also chose the Rockers over the Growlers, because we ride a lot of rough and rocky terrain, mixed with dirt trails. In the future, I would like to try the Pit Bull Growler 6ply 25.5" on the Renegade for a lighter and more sportier performance to show the difference between the Pit Bull Rocker 8ply 25.5", and Pit Bull Growler 6ply 25.5".

Goto Page Two Back To Main