Paddle Tires?

[RaginRedneck]

I'm looking to buy some paddle tires for my 400EX, what are you guys running? There seems to be quite a difference in some of the designs of rear paddle tires. Any suggestions?? Realistically, I'll only be using them 2-3 times a year, so I'm not trying to break the bank.

Thanks

[shawndog360]

i have a full set of paddle tires for sale like new with gold rims on it

[the Z Man]

Gecco rears and Dune tracker fronts, works best for 4 strokers IMO

[GPracer2500]

My opinion----> I hate Geckos....way too heavy, gimmicky tread design that offers no discernible advantage, and too much drag/traction that kills tall gear speed.

If you're only using paddles twice a year it probably doesn't make too much difference though. No matter what you get you'll likely be satisfied. In general, I've found that a person only realizes how good or bad their paddles are after they spend time swapping paddles around and testing the difference.

$0.02

[skidoome]

I agree about swapping tires and testing... I spent 3 days on my sand skate II's and can tell you they climb higher then the gecko's.

I climbed about 30 feet higher then another stock 400ex with a lighter rider. (about 50 lbs.) Chokecherry ridge in idaho.

I like my skates but wont say there the best because I haven't put any other paddles on my ride.

jon

heres a pic of how they hook up

[mooseracerX]

I would look here http://www.achievatires.com/category.asp?level=2&FID=23
I think they are pretty cheap and they look like they would dig really good. :)

[GPracer2500]

Originally posted by skidoome
....I like my skates...

STU makes a great tire.

[RaginRedneck]

Thanks for everyone's input.

Does anyone no anything about ITP Sand Stars? My buddy is as Parts Unlimited dealer and that's one of tires he can get me a good price on.

[pizmo 400ex]

yeah i have some itp sandstars. i like them a lot. they are similar to the sand skats. here's a pic of me in a bowl playing with my sand stars.
<a href="http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii31/mndwilliams24/?action=view&current=0117081330b.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii31/mndwilliams24/0117081330b.jpg" border="0" alt="roost"></a>

[hornetgod13]

I run Sand Stars as well at Glamis and Pismo. They are great tires for running around and handle real well turning.

Here's a picture at Glamis last year.

[04TRX400EX]

There are two types of tread patterns designed for different uses. Straight paddles are meant to provide enhanced straight-line traction if all you plan to do is drag race up hills. Otherwise, a V-angled paddle is better for all-around duning. The V will still give you excellent straight-line handling but will dominate in bowls and other turns.

The ITP Sand Star is probably the best all-around dune tire combo in my opinion and has been copied by many other tire manufacturers. One of the copiers is GBC with their Sand Shark rear and Dune Tracker front - I know cause I used to run a set. They are less expensive than the ITP's but weigh a bit more. I will go with the ITP's when I buy sand tires again.

By the way, hardcore duners will swear one tire is faster than another. I know some people who love Haulers, others love Traks, and then there are other ones I haven't even heard of. I will say that most of these people also have purpose-built duners. Recreational dune riders like you or I who see sand a couple of times a year will not notice a difference.

[wilkin250r]

Pay attention to how many people have said "It doesn't make much difference". They're saying that because it's true.

Yes, there is a difference, but it's fairly small in the grand scheme of things. Any paddle will perform better than regular knobby tires.

The general consensus is that Haulers are among the best, and Geckos are among the worst. But honestly, a set of Geckos will take you just about anywhere a set of Haulers will go, maybe a bike length behind. Is it really that important that you're willing to pay 2-3 times the price?

If you can get a good price on Sand Stars, then go with that, they're a good all-around set. And for 2-3 times a year, I wouldn't even bother with fronts, just run your stock fronts. Spend that extra money on beer, or maybe making that 4th trip per year. ;)

[Phillburt57]

Stars!

[skidoome]

The buddy that I rode with a couple of weeks ago bought a new set of sand tires on his scrambler they look like the stars but have another set of mini paddles instead of one per section they have two. They are made my maxis i think.
they worked well considering they are on a 600 lb. machine.:eek2:

[brian76708]

if your only going 2-3 times a year don't waist your money on front tires and as long as you don't over paddle your tirers i wouldn't worry about getting any tire i have hauler 8 paddles love them, except turning since there a straight paddle you just have to give a little gas to make sharp slow turns

[AutoRoc]

I grabbed a set of AMS Aerospeed paddle tires/rims off Ebay for $50 and they got the job done. 2 dead even quads racing on knobbies turned into me getting a 3 length lead with the AMS paddles( they are a symetrical V paddle. I can do doughnuts and slide really well also.

[400funex]

To a certain extent I don’t believe it matters if you’re not going to be doing a lot of riding in the sand. From my experience Sand Stars are an incredible all around paddle, however if your looking to win every race and climb the biggest hills you want some straight paddles. When I bought my first set of paddles I went with the cheapest ones I found, Sand Gears very similar to Geckos<a href="http://img92.imageshack.us/my.php?image=icon131mb6.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/3622/icon131mb6.gif" border="0" alt="Image Uploaded by ImageShack Toolbar" title="Image Uploaded by ImageShack Toolbar" /></a>. I was really sorry I did too; I hated those tires more then anything! They were $140 with wheels vs. Sand Stars at $210. I couldn’t climb anything and had a really hard time starting in soft sand. I rode on those for two trips and switched back to my stocks. My next ride I did sooooo much better I thought it was pointless to get paddles, until my wife surprised me with a set of Sand Stars, and with those I couldn’t believe how much more of an improvement there was.

So basically like anything else you get what you pay for…
<a href="http://img92.imageshack.us/my.php?image=icon101ao9.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/3565/icon101ao9.gif" border="0" alt="Image Uploaded by ImageShack Toolbar" title="Image Uploaded by ImageShack Toolbar" /></a>

[RaginRedneck]

Originally posted by wilkin250r
Pay attention to how many people have said "It doesn't make much difference". They're saying that because it's true.

Yes, there is a difference, but it's fairly small in the grand scheme of things. Any paddle will perform better than regular knobby tires.

The general consensus is that Haulers are among the best, and Geckos are among the worst. But honestly, a set of Geckos will take you just about anywhere a set of Haulers will go, maybe a bike length behind. Is it really that important that you're willing to pay 2-3 times the price?

If you can get a good price on Sand Stars, then go with that, they're a good all-around set. And for 2-3 times a year, I wouldn't even bother with fronts, just run your stock fronts. Spend that extra money on beer, or maybe making that 4th trip per year. ;)


Definetly interested in having more beer!!!! :devil: Thanks for everyone's input, I truly appreciate it, I'm waiting to get my price on a set of sand Stars, however the next question is this:

What size?? I'm currently running stock tires with one tooth less than stock in the front.....do I need to go smaller in the rear? Or will the same size work?

Thanks again for everyone's help!!

[hornetgod13]

Run 20 inch rears and remove your swing arm skid plate. You'll need the ground clearance. I run 13F/39R in the dunes.

[400funex]

I'm not sure about the skid plate thing. I ride allot of the sand trails on the Oregon coast and some have good size roots and rocks in them. But I do know that I drag my skid plate in the sand sometimes in the deeper ruts. Call me paranoid but I just don't feel like smashing my sprocket or chain on a rock. I think if they come stock with guards in specific places they should probably stay there. I was talented enough to run over my own foot with the heel guards still on…:p