Why do you guys run 18's?

[Dangerous400EX]

I know a lot of guys run 18" rear tires but I dont see the real advantage. I know smaller rears is the same as running smaller sprockets. However by staying with 20" tires or even 22's and running a smaller sprocket instead of running 18" tires and stock sprockets you have a lot more rubber and gain more traction.

The only thing I can guess is 18's might be easier to turn for MX and other types of racing. Can someone enlighten me?

[f4istunna]

I notice a little difference in handling, I dunno if its less sidewall flex or what but 18's seems to corner better imo.

Ill take the ground clearance (at least for woods/trails) of the 20" anyday over small handling difference though

If you have 2 sets of wheels its a quick way to change the gearing up too for little mroe torque

[hypersnyper6947]

They are also lighter and the less rotating mass the better. I dont know if you have ever ridden a quad with 22s vs. one with 18s but the 18s do handle much better. I trail ride and hit the track ever now and then and i love my 18s. I am thinking about getting a set of 20 gnccs for the trails but i really never have ground clearence issues when running the 18s anyways.

[NacsMXer]

What these guys are saying ^^^

18" rears are pretty much designed for MX. You can use them for other purposes and get by, but ideally they are a MX tire. You basically get less sidewall flex, which equals more precise, more predictable handling/cornering.

You can get by with 18's riding SOME trails, but if it's a knarly rocky/rutted trail, you'll be much better off with the added ground clearance of 20's/22's. On MX tracks, ground clearance is a non-issue.

As for myself, on the track, it's 18's all the way. If i'm riding some mild dunes and trail/woods ride, I throw the stock 20's on there.

[matt14c]

Cornering with 18's over a 20 or 22 is the difference between night and day on the track. 18's allow you to get in and swing around to stay tight and keep the wheels spinning for quicker acceleration out of the corners. Also with 18's on loose or semi packed dirt you are alot less likely to pull the front end.

I love 18's I dont have them though still running stockers. Everything said was correct the less sidewall flex and rotating mass you can get them to spin so easy I love it. I just fear the trails because I will hear the occasional clunck on my skid plate and I have 20's

I dont ride trails if they are rutted to hell or got obstacles like rocks everywhere. I like fast trails that you can fly through and hit some sharp turns then climb some hills 2nd pinned. I run stock fronts and 20" razrs right now, but I want 18's and 20's really bad. When Im not in the trails theres alot of jumps to play around on all in the same area so Im kinda stuck on what wheel combo to run....

I wish ITP wasnt the only company to make a 19

[beags86]

Originally posted by FlewByU352
I wish ITP wasnt the only company to make a 19


where do you see 19's for itp, i checked the website and didn't find any 19s... i could have missed it, but if they make a 19 i would like to know cuz thats what i would prob go with.

Originally posted by beags86
where do you see 19's for itp, i checked the website and didn't find any 19s... i could have missed it, but if they make a 19 i would like to know cuz thats what i would prob go with.

Right here beags...

http://www.rockymountainatv.com/productDetail.do?navType=type&webTypeId=138&navTitle=Tires+and+Wheels&webCatId=8&prodFamilyId=8656#vehicleSelect

[TRXordie]

I run 19s in the front and 18s in the rear. i run track to trail and everything in between. you couldnt pay me to put 20s back on! but i suppose its all up to personal preference.

[dirtmerchant42]

i got 18s n 20s for arenacross and motocross purposes
smaller tires so u can go faster thru the turns and it lowers ur center of gravity

[hypersnyper6947]

Plus they look awesome!:D

[bbender85]

Originally posted by hypersnyper6947
Plus they look awesome!:D

haha, well thats what i was gonna say. :cool:

i run 18's and love them.. but i am pretty much MX only when i'm not running my 20" paddles on the dunes. my buddy runs the 19" holeshots on his 450 and he likes them alot, and i like how they look too... not so big and balloony like a 20".

[brokenmike]

My .02 is I hate 18's. I love 20's. You loose ground clearance and can get hung up on the ruts in berms and in loose sand. If you want less sidewall on 20's get 10" rims. I have tried them and felt no handling difference. With an extended axle my quads are nearly impossible to roll over. I can hang off the side of my quad turning in 2nd and it wont think of coming up. I think quads with 18's look like they got roller skate wheels on them and look goofy. I guess it all just personal preference

[Dangerous400EX]

Thanks for the responses I see the benefits now. Since I will nver sniff an MX track and like my ground clearance I will stick with 20's I think, probably a set of Maxxis when my stockers wear down.

Is there much of a difference in sidewall strength and stiffness on the aftermarket 20" tires?