Maxxis Carnivore Overlook & Review
Maxxis tires are well-known all around the world for their high performance, quality, and variety. With plenty of offerings for average consumers to professional drivers and riders, the company has had its fair share of accolades gathered throughout its more than half a century of existence.
The one set of tires that people seem to search for more than anything else is the Maxxis Carnivore, which sets itself apart from many similar brands through sheer quality, style, design, and sturdiness. However, to get the full picture of what makes the Maxxis Carnivore all that special in the first place, we need to analyze its quirks, pros, and cons so that we can help you figure out if it’s the right fit for your needs.
Maxxis Brand Overlook
Maxxis was founded in Taiwan, at first only focusing on small-scale bicycle tire production. It wasn’t long after that they would start making tires for ATVs, UTVs, light trucks, trailers, motorcycles, and more.
Nowadays, Maxxis distributes its products on a worldwide scale, in more than 180 countries, while providing stable jobs to more than 30,000 people. Using the latest technology, Maxxis engineers at R&D centers in Asia, Europe, and North America work to ensure that the company’s products are cutting edge.
In short, that’s about everything you need to know about the company. We think that their tires are more than worthy to be installed on the vehicles that they’re built for.
Maxxis Carnivore Review
At a basic level, the Maxxis Carnivore is built for both sport and utility UTVs, and also manages to be a good fit for more powerful utility ATVs. It’s an 8-ply rated radial construction with a specialized rubber compound that provides excellent traction on multiple surfaces, including desert areas, rocks, and even roots.
As far as wear and tear is concerned, the Maxxis Carnivore’s build quality is absolutely phenomenal, and it’s guaranteed to last you for at least a couple of years before finally succumbing due to repeated impact and traction through rough terrain. Some users have even claimed that it holds up to climbing on cactuses, which, if you ask us, is quite amazing.
We can conclude from this statement that the Maxxis Carnivore has tremendous resistance against multiple punctures, even when they all occur at the same time. It’s also no surprise that this tire handles mud like a pro. When all is said and done, the Maxxis Carnivore is phenomenal.
Maxxis Carnivore Weight & Size
You can get this Maxxis in three different sizes: 28, 29, 30, and 32 inches tall. Currently, they can only be wrapped around 14-inch or 15-inch rims. Let’s take a quick glance at the available sizing options so you can get an even better idea if it will be a good fit for your ATV or UTV.
|
Size |
Ply rating |
Overall diameter |
Width |
Tire Pressure |
Wheel Size |
Tread depth |
|
28X10.00R14 |
8 |
28.7″ |
9.4″ |
480 psi |
14X7.0″ |
28/32″ |
|
29X9.50R15 |
8 |
29.7″ |
9.4″ |
495 psi |
15X7.0″ |
28/32″ |
|
30X10.00R14 |
8 |
30.5″ |
9.7″ |
550 psi |
14X7.0″ |
28/32″ |
|
32X10.00R14 |
8 |
32″ |
10″ |
615 psi |
14X7.0″ |
28/32″ |
|
32X10.00R15 |
8 |
32.3″ |
10.3″ |
617 psi |
15X7.0″ |
28/32″ |
As you can imagine, being an 8-ply tire means that the weight will inevitably be considerable. However, the Maxxis Carnivore is not considerably heavier than its 6-ply counterparts. Here’s a list of every Maxxis Carnivore weight for all five sizes:
- 28x10R-14 – 29.65
- 29×9.5R-15 – 30.5 lbs
- 30x10R-14 – 33.8 lbs
- 32x10R-14 – 37.7 lbs
- 32x10R-15 – 36.85 lbs
Maxxis Carnivore Pros & Cons
Let’s take a quick look through the pros and cons of the Maxxis Carnivore just in case you don’t want to read the entire article from start to finish.
Pros
Resistant to multiple punctures at once
The traction is incredible
Ability to work on any terrain
Will last you for years to come
The lugs provide a wide contact and flat contact patch
Fits a wide variety of UTVs and ATVs
Cons
Hefty weight
Hard to transport due to weight
Maxxis Carnivore Alternatives
Let’s say you want to try something different from the Carnivore, but something that is similar enough to it that it’s still comparable. These are your best options:
STI X Comp ATR Radial
We’ve already talked about STI wheels and tires in another article, so we can assure you that this brand also makes some good stuff. This 10-ply radial tire is meant for every type of UTV and it’s DOT-compliant, so you can use it if you want to turn your UTV street-legal. However, it weighs significantly more than the Maxxis Carnivore, with the lightest X Comp model weighing a hefty 40.6 pounds.
ITP Blackwater Evolution
Similar to the Maxxis Carnivore, the ITP Blackwater Evolution is also an 8-ply tire with radial construction. It comes in 17 different sizes, so you have a lot of options to choose from to customize your ATV or UTV to the max. The ITP Blackwater profile is a little more rounded than the Carnivore’s truck-like flat contact patch. However, you need not fear issues regarding build quality, as it is also a tough player that will most likely last you for years and years to come.
Maxxis Bighorn
Finally, we have a great alternative to the Maxxis Carnivore coming from the same brand. The Bighorn is not as large in diameter as the Carnivore. However, you can find it in 14 different sizes to fit on a smaller UTV or ATV. Otherwise, it offers mostly the same qualities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maxxis carnivore DOT approved?
No, Maxxis Carnivore tires are not DOT-approved. If you want an alternative that is DOT-approved, however, we can suggest the above-mentioned STI X Comp ATR Radial set of tires. Or, you can do your research to find even more tires similar to the Maxxis Carnivore that do have DOT approval.
Is the Maxxis Carnivore good in muddy situations?
Yes, the Maxxis Carnivore set of tires is astonishing when taken deep into the mud. You'll rarely find another set of tires that can handle off-road and muddy situations quite like the Maxxis Carnivore, especially given the relatively affordable price when compared to a significant portion of the competition.
Are Maxxis Liberty tires DOT approved?
Maxxis Liberty are yet another offering from this brand that is desirable for most UTV enthusiasts. And, fortunately, the Liberty tires are DOT-approved, unlike the Maxxis Carnivore. They also feature an 8-ply radial construction with specialized rubber compounds for traction in hardpack and any other intermediate off road trails.