New snow tires or chains or both?

[HamptonT]

My 1980 ATC185 has original tire in front and two newer tires in back. They are the typical square knobby tires. I need a little more traction to pull logs out of the woods for fire wood. Are there good snow tires that would make a considerable difference or should I look into chains? Where's a good source for chains?
Also, the rear tires look smaller than the front. But they have the same size on them. Is it just a optical illusion or do they run larger tires on front?
Thanks.

[HamptonT]

Here's a pic with my son riding it.

[tripledog]

Here ya go for chains... http://www.ebay.com/itm/REAR-ATV-Tir...8e8bde&vxp=mtr

Nice looking 185!

[atc500x]

4snow tire.....not more, you will love it

[CRAZY70MAN]

Chains....especially when your trails turn to ice! No tire will perform like chains on hardpack or ice. I woule recommend the v bars and 4 link spacing. Turns em into little tractors man.......

[HamptonT]

4snow tire.....not more, you will love it

Not sure what you mean. Are you saying a snow specific tire only? What kind?

[tripledog]

http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-363-109-4-snow

[f76]

Knobbie tires vary in actual size. My 110 has a cheng shing on one side and a duro on the other, both 22-11-8 knobbies tires. However the duro is noticeably smaller than the cheng shing while the duro is a bit wider.

[HamptonT]

Ok. I ordered the chains. I decided that I didn't want to put snow specific tires on it. The chains said they fit stock tires for the 25-12-9. Since they vary in size so much, I'm not so sure they will fit my tires. If not, I'm sure I could take some links out.
The smaller tires in back seem to spin easier. What's the idea about tire size. I've seen small in back, small in front, large all around, etc.
If I wanted to make it look similar to the stock Ohtsu tires, what tire would I look for? Assuming the Ohtsu's are no longer available.

[hawaiirider]

chains and only chains work on ice, a paddle tire is the best tire for snow, i lived in valdez alaska, deep powder!!! i ordered j wheels for the snow and had chains on the stock 25's for ice, both was the only way to go for deep snow. i just found an old snowmobile ski and ratchet strapped it to the front and used a kids slick mat sled for my skidplate to glide across deep powder, the setup worked amazing rarely did this bike ever get stuck even steep uphill snow climbs!!

[YamaBoss]

Turns em into little tractors man.......

I couldn't resist lol

http://youtu.be/Gc9Btb1xfNY

[HamptonT]

Chains....especially when your trails turn to ice! No tire will perform like chains on hardpack or ice. I woule recommend the v bars and 4 link spacing. Turns em into little tractors man.......

More like a tank. There is absolutely nothing that will stop this thing now!

[tripledog]

HamptonT, what chains did you buy? I will be purchasing a set soon, and it seems like you are satisfied with yours.

[HamptonT]

HamptonT, what chains did you buy? I will be purchasing a set soon, and seems like you are satisfied with yours.

I bought the ones from the eBay link someone posted above. They came from Forward Powersports. Made by Raider and they are the v groove type. They come with extra links to fit different tire circumference. I have Carlisles on back. They run small so I ended up taking five links out. Takes a bit of work to get the right fit. But once you get it right, your good to go. Easy off, easy on after that.
They truly transformed the bike. Went from spinning on moderately inclined snow over ice to tank like handling that goes through or up anything.

[tripledog]

I think I linked you to the wrong size chains. They are size I need for my 200es. I believe the rims on your 185s are 8", not 9" rims. Sorry about that, but it is nice to hear that they helped out. Hopefully, I will have a set by month's end.