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GDP Portals—A Mud Rider’s Guide

By Madison Drumm | Behind The Wheel on June 3, 2025
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It’s been ten years since SuperATV changed the game with our GDP Portals, and let’s be real—off-roading hasn’t been the same since. If you’ve ever hit some muddy trails, sunk into the slop, or launched through a mud pit and came out grinning, there’s a good chance GDP Portals were involved. If you’re new to the scene—buckle up. You’re about to find out why mud riders swear by portals and why GDP is the name everyone trusts.

In this special ten-year anniversary guide, we’re breaking down how portals work, why they help, and how mud riders are using them to enhance their off-roading experience.

A Polaris  Ranger with SuperATV portals installed.
Portals changed the game ten years ago. We’re going through what they are, how they work, and why they’re perfect for mud riders. Photo by SuperATV

What Is a Portal?

Let’s break it down. A GDP Portal Gear Lift gives you a lift and a gear reduction in one package. You’re getting:

  • Instant ground clearance
  • Massive torque gains
  • Less stress on your drivetrain
  • Room to run bigger tires

It’s not just a lift. It’s a performance boost, a terrain dominator, and your best friend in the mud. All of these things allow you to get in and out of mud with ease.

SuperATV's GDP Portals installed on a machine.
GDP Portals give you the ability to lift your UTV while also giving you a gear reduction. Plus, they reduce stress on your drivetrain. Photo by SuperATV

Why Mud Riders Love Portals

Thick, sticky, soul-sucking mud will test your machine’s limits every time. That’s where GDP Portals come in. Thanks to gear reductions up to 70%, GDP Portals give you the low-end grunt you need to claw your way out of the deepest ruts.

And that extra clearance? Say goodbye to getting hung up on buried stumps or hidden rocks. GDP Portals get you up and over like it’s nothing.

An Arctic Cat Wildcat with SuperATV GDP Portals installed.
You can count on GDP Portals to get you and your UTV out of any sticky situation without causing any damage. Photo by SuperATV

How They Work and Why It’s Cool

Let’s break down the science behind the sauce.

  • GDP Portals use a box at the hub to lift your ride and reduce your gear ratio.
  • You get less wear on your drivetrain because it happens at the end of your drivetrain.
  • You’re adding muscle while maintaining suspension geometry.

They’re smart, efficient, and built for battle. Did we mention they’re backed by a lifetime warranty?

A UTV with SuperATV GDP Portals installed with a lift kit.
GDP Portals completely changed the game. They’ll turn your UTV into a true powerhouse machine by giving you a lift and a gear reduction—all in one package! Photo by SuperATV

What Tires Should You Run?

You don’t necessarily have to upgrade your tires, but getting the proper tires for the style of riding you’re doing can make a big difference. SuperATV offers some serious off-road tires specifically for mud riding. Our Assassinator Mud Tires are the ultimate tire.

One of the perks of having GDP Portals installed is you can fit larger tires. Always double check our chart to see what size you can go up to. If you’re still unsure, we have killer customer service that is available throughout the week to assist you with making the right choice.

A UTV with SuperATV's Assassinator Tires installed.
Assassinator Tires are a great choice for mud riders. They sling mud like a champ and never get stuck. Photo by SuperATV

What’s the Right Gear Reduction?

Choosing your gear reduction can be intimidating. There are a few things that factor in, such as size of the portals, tire size, and riding style. You can use our gear reduction calculator on our website, or give us a call for some assistance in choosing what works best for your setup.

  • 4”- 15%, 30%
  • 6”- 30%, 45%, 60%
  • 8”- 45%, 60%, 70%

Some people worry about losing top speed when choosing a gear reduction. If you pair the correct tire size with the right gear reduction, your top-end loss will be minimal. If you’re ever too worried about losing the top-end speed, you can always invest in some ECU tuning or other options to help you gain that back.

When it comes to setting your rig up for mud, the general rule is to go for the biggest lift and highest gear reduction you can get. Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. You’ll have to balance your gear reduction with your tire size, since running a huge gear reduction won’t do much good if your machine can’t fit big enough tires to take advantage of it. So if your vehicle has limited tire clearance, you might want to dial back the reduction to make sure everything works in sync.

SuperATV's custom built Polaris with GDP Portals installed riding through mud.
Take your mud riding to the next level when you combine a lift kit with a set of GDP Portals. They completely change the mudding game. Photo by Triple-X Motorsports

Push the Limits: Combine Big Lift Kits with GDP Portals

If you’re the kind of rider who believes bigger is always better, then combining a SuperATV lift kit with portals is the ultimate power move. GDP Portals already give you a significant lift and gear reduction, but when you stack that with a 6″, 8″, or even 10″ lift kit, you’re entering a whole new world of mud domination. This setup isn’t just for looks—it gives you the clearance to glide over deep ruts and the torque to turn massive mud tires with ease. If you’re building a machine that looks wild and rides even wilder, this is how you do it.

A Polaris RZR XP 1000 with SuperATV GDP Portals installed.
Over the past decade, GDP Portals have become a trusted, pro-approved solution for conquering the toughest terrain. Photo by SuperATV

A Decade in the Dirt

In the last ten years, GDP Portals have gone from a trailblazing idea to a trail-proven legend. Not only can you use them on any terrain, but they’re also rider-tested and trusted by the pros. Whether you’re riding through muddy trails or tackling mud holes, you can trust GDP to get you through the toughest terrain.

A custom painted SuperATV GDP Portal.
RELATED CONTENT: GDP Portal Gear Lifts42 side-by-sides106 UTVs25
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