I am going to go with a smaller tire on my 400 Scrambler. I am going to put 21x7x10 on the front. But on the back I am not sure what size of wheel to get. I was thinking the 20x11x8 just because you have more tire on the wheel (compaired to a 20x11x10 tire and wheel) and that will give more when hitting obsticals or landing off a jump. I was just wondering if any of you have ever tried this or if you have any thoughts about this.

Phillip

 

If you want to keep your top speed and accellaration I would'nt put smaller tires on.
You said you want more tire on the rim well larger sidewalls can flex to a point were you can blow your bead off the rim on turns.
I would keep the 10" rims and buy 22X11X10 tire.

2000 SCRAMBLER 400 2X4

SCRAMDADDY400

 

No pun intended, but I disagree.

I would not go as far as an 8" rim b/c this will induce much more sidewall flex, but a 9" rim seems very suitable.

Me personally, I would stick w/ the stock size tires up front and go to a 9" wheel w/ the stock tire dimensions on the rear(22x11x9) Although you will probably get more sidewall flex w/ the 9 over the ten, you also get more wheel protection. With the selection of a good 6-ply tire, you would probably feel no difference b/t the 10" v/s the 9" rear wheel.

Unless you are doing some serious jumping, I feel that the 8" would not be a good idea. If you want to go w/ a smaller tire, you are going to pick up some more bottom, but you probably already know that you are giving up ground clearence and top end. This decision is up to you. YOu need to weigh the deciding factor on what style riding you do.

Good Luck,

EC

 

Thank you for your ideas. I will put them in to perspective before I buy my next set of tires and wheeles.

Phillip

 

Have a 96 Sport 400 that had 22x11x8 on the back when I bought it. Tey seem fine. I bought it for my 16 yr old son. He doesn't jump much, I dont think he does. But we ride hard into corners though and dont get much sidewall flex. The only problem is finding hubs to fit inside the 8" wheel. Stock hubs are to large ( I had to replace one hub) Wound up grinding the ears off a stock hub to make it fit. Been almost a year and no problems with hub. Good luck.

 

I have a set of 23x8x12 tires on front and 22x12x10 on the rear of my 99 Scr500. This set-up works very well for handeling since the side wall flex is minimal. The wheels are Douglas .190 and holding up great.

 

I use stock rims, & they dent sometimes since I ride very hard over rocks etc but they beat back into shape no problem. I run Kenda Domminators 20 on back & 21 up front. They are the shortest & lightest 20 " tire I could find w/ an angled tread on the front for 4wd. All 20" tires dont measure the same like 20" Holeshots have VERY high side walls compared to the Kendas. I lost about 1.25" in heigth by adding these & it feels like about 5hp gain since I geared lower. You loose maybe 4mph on top end but I am rarely at top end anyway so I dont worry about it. Below is a picture of how short these tires look on my 400. Hope this helps. By the way they wear great compared to my friends Holeshots.
Jim Maloney 98 400 Scrambler
http://photos.yahoo.com/jim400scram

 

5 hp gain by gearing lower...what exactly did you do?

 

I didn't change gearing I just used over a 2-1/2" smaller diameter tire which is the same as gearing lower & you can definately feel the difference. Thats what I meant by, it feels like if I added 5 hp. But obviously I lost some top end speed but thats ok w/ my type of riding. Hope this helps.
Jim Maloney 98 400 Scrambler
http://photos.yahoo.com/jim400scram