Myself and a Couple Of friends are planning a 14 Day trip to the Paiute Trail
 
in september of 2012.  I ride a 2011 Polaris Sportsman 850 XP.  I put MSA  
 
Wheels and PitBull Growler Tires on it and it is now 51 3/4 inches wide.  I  
 
sold the stock Wheels Back to the dealer for a discount on the tire and  
 
wheel kit.  Will my machine pass thru the gates at almost 52 inches wide.
 
We will be driving all the way from Pennsylvania and I don't want to get  
 
there and then find out my ATV won't fit.  Thank you for any help
 
 

You could ride most of  the Piaute main trails with your quad being over 50".  However there are many side trails and some parts of the main trails you could not get on.  
 
I would suggest you buy the Piaute Trial MAP on this web sght.  The new map shows the 50" trials.  It would help you plan your ride and see where you can and can't ride.  
 
I would suggest you borrow somones stock wheels and be under 50"
 

Stickily speaking the law allows up to a $5000.00 fine for operating a machine wider than 50" on a restricted trail. Is it worth the risk? It could be an expensive added expense to a vacation if your caught.  
 
Although you might "fit" through some of the gates your still not legal and the gates are not there as a measuring device. It is a sign post telling people the trail is restricted to 50" vehicles.  
 
It might be wiser to check Craig's list or eBay or even a few dealers for some stock wheels for trips to areas with narrow trail requirements out of respect for the trails and the rules that govern them.  
 
Or we could all just keep disobeying the rules until we loose the right to ride the trails we have now, and have no credibility or justification for why we should be allowed to open back up any that have been closed for bogus reasons.
 
Find some stock wheels, come on out and play and we will show you some of the most amazing country you have ever ridden in

Do you have any of the over fenders added to keep mud off with the wider tires. If you do you will need to take those off as well. A buddy of mine that went with us put some on his XP and forgot to take them off. The first gate we came to fixed that problem for him.
 
Ronnie

Quote from Frank Cole on 12/12/11 at 16:14:02:

 
Good choice, Frank.  Ensuring you're under 50" will make your trip well worthwhile, and your willingness to be responsible is appreciated.  As you can tell by this thread, not all who ride the Paiute and other nearby trails are like you.  There are people who "don't sweat the small stuff" and come out to ride, then end up going around/trying to dismantle the gates when they realize they can't get through them.  Thanks for making the effort to be prepared for your trip, and feel free to follow Kenny's lead when you are here by photographing and reporting others who are breaking the law because they don't care enough to do their due diligence the way you have.  Ensuring responsible use is probably the best way for trails to be kept available for us all.  Have a great ride!  
 
Jeff

I am 60in wide and never had a problem because there is always a trail around the 50in trails.
DON~~~

Quote from Don Parscale on 02/14/12 at 12:58:59:

 WOW I hope you dont run into me on a 50" trail as I would take your photo  and call the proper authority's and turn you in.
But hey thats just me.

Quote from KTMer on 02/14/12 at 21:53:25:

I smell smoke

Quote from m74me on 02/14/12 at 23:21:05:

 
That's what I assumed he meant as well.. There are generally side (detour) trails that allow the wider machines to legally bypass the 50" gated areas.