PRODUCT TEST: EFX Motohammer Tires and Motosport Alloys Battle Wheels

WHAT IT IS:
EFX’s MotoHammer tire is an eightply radial developed for the special demands of hard-terrain use. Sturdy eight-ply construction resists punctures, tears and rock damage. The wide contact patch puts more rubber on the ground than more rounded tires. The MotoHammer is also DOT rated, so it’s legal for road use, and it’s engineered to handle high speeds.

Prices for EFX’s MotoHammer start at $164 each for the 27-inch size for 14-inch wheels, which is very reasonable for an eight-ply tire. The tire is also available in 30-inch and 31-inch sizes. We paired the MotoHammer with MSA’s Battle cast-aluminum wheels. These light, strong, four-spoke wheels have a flat-black automotive-grade finish and start at $91 each, which is $10–$15 less than most other premium aftermarket wheels. They’re available in 12-, 14- and 18-inch sizes.

PERFORMANCE:
We mounted the EFX MotoHammer tires and MSA Battle wheels on a Polaris RZR XP 900, a machine that can use some extra traction on slippery hardpacked dirt.

The terrain on our test loop included plenty of hard dirt, some rock-crawling and rocky trails, plus sandy sections and soft terrain to test the tires’ versatility.

Even before we reached any challenging terrain, the MotoHammer’s smooth ride was instantly noticeable. The tire’s tread is closely grouped, like the tread on off-road truck tires, so vibration and noise are less than typical ATV and UTV tires.

Pushing the tires on hardpacked dirt showed how a dedicated hard-terrain tire can help a powerful machine like the XP 900. With the MotoHammer tires, the RZR lost less acceleration to wheelspin and held its line better in turns than with all-terrain tires. We could still break the tires loose to slide the machine, but the limit of traction was more gradual and predictable.

In rocky trails and rock crawling, the tires grip well, and the strong eight-ply design handles sharp, irregular terrain without bottoming the tire to the rim. The closely grouped tread also keeps rocks from penetrating between the tread blocks.

In sand and soft dirt, the MotoHammer gives some traction away to all-terrain tires, but it grips well enough to be a great choice for mixed terrain, especially if you face lots of hard terrain and rocks on your rides. MSA’s Battle wheels fit perfectly, and the wheels and the bolt-on center caps handled the rough test conditions without any problems. Except for plenty of dust, which was easy to clean from the open four-spoke design, the wheels looked as good at the end of the test as when we started.

THE VERDICT:
If you ride mostly hard terrain and rocks, EFX’s MotoHammer tires can give you an edge in acceleration and handling compared to general-purpose tires, and the MotoHammer’s rugged eight-ply construction and closely grouped tread offer great resistance against flats. MSA’s Battle wheels are tough and have styling that really stands out from stock

contact: Colorado
Components;
(800) 734 4890,
cococomponents.com
or your dealer.
RATING:
EFX MotoHammer
tires: ★★★★★.
MSA Battle wheels:
★★★★★
PRICE: EFX
MotoHammer tires:
$164–$210. MSA
Battle wheels: $91–
$167.