CHECK OUT THE 5 STAR REVIEW WE RECEIVED FROM ATV UTV ACTION MAGAZINE! OUR MOAPA RUN-FLATS REALLY ARE THAT TOUGH.
RATING: 5 STARS ★★★★★
Even with zero air pressure, the DWT 12-ply Moapa run-flat looks like it has air in it; it performs like it too.
WHAT IT IS:
DWT’s Moapa run-flat tire is a 12-ply version of the popular six-ply Moapa ATV/UTV tire. It’s intended to be run inflated, but DWT claims the tire can go 30 miles at 35 mph with no air. We got a set and drove on them with and without air to see how they performed. Moapa run-flats are available in 25- and 26-inch sizes for 12-inch wheels, and 26- and 28-inch sizes for 14s, so they’ll fit most popular ATVs and UTVs. Freedom from flats isn’t free. Run- flat Moapas are $175 to $229 each depending on the size, similar to what premium eight-ply tires and mud tires cost. Weight is another consideration with the run-flats; they’re about 4 pounds heavier per tire than six-ply tires.
PERFORMANCE:
We tested the Moapa run-flat on our RZR XP 900, a fast, powerful, fairly heavy UTV. If they could provide reasonable performance and handling on the RZR, we figured they’d work for most any UTV or ATV. We started our three-part test with the RZR’s excellent stock ITP Bajacross eight-ply tires, then mounted the inflated run-flats for laps on the same loop, and finished with a final session running the run-flats totally flat. Our test loop included hard-packed dirt, rocky trails and sand washes.
After our session with the stock tires, we ran the loop with the inflated run-flats. The DWT tires rode a little harder, but hooked up well and steered accurately. In general, our testers were very impressed, especially going from the excellent ITP Bajacross to the run-flats. Though it’s true that heavier tires reduce suspension and engine performance, in real-world riding, it’s hard to feel a difference unless the difference is considerable.
It felt weird releasing all the air from the tires for the final test, but the RZR really didn’t look like it was on flats, even with the run-flats at zero pressure. The tires looked inflated, just down a few pounds. The vehicle didn’t perform like it was on flats on the loop, either. The tires performed like normal tires that were underinflated, not like flats. We were shocked how well the RZR steered and accelerated, and the ride was comfy! The Moapa run-flats didn’t perform nearly as well flat as inflated, but the difference between these tires—run-flat and normal flat tires— is huge.
THE VERDICT:
Freedom from flats is a ride- saving final frontier every ATVer and UTVer is looking for. To us, the Moapa’s extra cost and weight are minor compared to the value of never losing a ride or a race to a flat again.
DWT’s Moapa run-flat costs about the same as good eight-ply tires or serious mud tires, but they can save a ride or race you could lose to a flat.
