LT80 wheels and tires

[okieRrider]

Hello, i'm in the process of getting my sons lt80 semi ready for the OCCRA cross country races here in oklahoma next spring and I have been wanting to get some 10x5 wheels for the front? What does everyone else run on the fronts and are they available anywhere? I have looked at recreation tire and dennis kirk and RMATV. I am planning on running the shredder 18x 9.5x8's on the back and recreation tire has them. Any info would be great and thanks in advance....Chris

[LT80]

I prefer the stock size wheels. Going to a 10" wheel in the front takes a wee bit away from the sidewall flex. You do need all the suspension available and that's part of it.
My recommendation for the front:: Stock tire.

The 9.5 wide tire is way wide for a LT80.
I would go to a 18x6.5x8 tire for the rear.

I do like the Shredder tires! They are a soft sided tire with a good tread pattern.
A long time favorite of mine is NANKANG tires (N700).

FYI: I'd get wheels directly from Douglas Wheel.

[okieRrider]

Thanks LT80, 1 more question...on the recreation tire site they have 16 and 18" tires are there any advantages or disadvantages to the 16" tires...they list them for the front...Thanks again, Chris

[smokinwrench]

Originally posted by LT80


The 9.5 wide tire is way wide for a LT80.


Can you give some reasoning behind this please. When we goto the sand dunes a bunch of us have LT80's and predator 90's for our kids. Most of the kids have 18/9.5/8 sand stars and geckos. We have 20/10/8 7 paddle skat trak gliders on my boys lt80. Not sure why it is but my boys LT80 seems to go so much better then the other minis. Maybe its just the skat trak tires since they wiegh much less then the other tires.

[LT80]

Okie:: We run the 16's for MX. The 18's would be better for XC IMO. Clearance ya know. :)

Smokin:: Sand would be the exception. :)
I feel the wide tires put un-needed pressure on the cases on a dirt track.

[okieRrider]

Thanks LT80 thats exactly what I needed to know...Chris

[Arctic Cat Dad]

I'd be careful with the 18's on the rear. lt80 is right you loose way to much clearance with the 18's. We race XC. We also run the 18" Snowhogs on the rear. But with a 70cc Production quad you loose way to much HP with the wider tires. We have tested alot of combo's and the best set up I think is. 19" Holeshot Mxers in the front and the Snowhogs for the rear. If we could run the bigger tires on the rear we would. But they kill to much HP. He has learned to keep it pinned in rough places so he has the speed to carry him thru the places where he will bottom out. The rider has to be very careful and pick the best lines or he's gonna get stuck. If you go with the 18's which we like on the 70cc mini,you have to keep your rider focused on choosing the best lines.Also go with the Douglas wheels you won't believe how much wheel weight you will loose with the 18's on Alum. wheels.

[okieRrider]

Great info guys thanks.. on it now are 20" scorpions i believe....would it be good for the front to get some 8" douglas wheels and run the scorpions or go ahead and change them to the 18" also? What offset works? his paddles are on 8" 3-5 offset and seem to work good plus gives some bling factor....lol Thanks Chris

[Arctic Cat Dad]

I don't see any problem with the 20's in the front. He likes the way it steers with the front tires larger then the rears. It keeps the front up a little higher and puts more weight towards the rear for traction. Works great for the littleman.

[okieRrider]

Cool sounds good then i can just buy some rears and a set of rims for the front...Thanks for the help...Chris

[EXMARK]

I put the douglas 8x6 on my boys lt80. When the stock tires wear out I will be experimenting with different sizes.

[maggiesboy]

here is my boys KFX with 18/6.5-8 sno hogs all the way around

[maggiesboy]

front view....