I need some opinions on changing the counter sprocket size since I went to the 23x10.5x12 8 paddle Haulers. 15 or 14 tooth? So far the quad is stock, no K&N, jetting or exhaust mods yet.

 

Depends on what type of riding you plan to do,I have 22" haulers and tried a 15 tooth counter sprocket seemed fine for duning around.Racing the hill though,I still couldnt start in 2nd and also 3rd was to high to run the hill with any speed with out bogging.Just put on a 42 rear with the 15 front I will see what that does next time out

 

A 15/42 figures out to be 2.8 which should be close to the 16/40 stock of 2.5 if you factor in the 10% increase in tire size. A 14/40 would give me 2.86. I haven't rode yet with these new 8 paddler Haulers but the 12 paddle 20x11x9 wanted to bog down in 3rd climbing the sand hills. I don't race and the stock speed of 70+ MPH is way faster than I need to be going.

 

I have the same tire kit and have been running stock and I have not noticed a loss of power. Giving that sand is a different terrain it will take some getting use to the hook up is different than hard pack I feel if I had gone a smaller overall diameter tire that my gearing would have been affected. I have planned on changing gearing but only after the addition of exhaust,filter and jetting for these additions seem to be showing a huge increase in low end power causing me to want to wait until after these items have been added.
Depending on your riding preference I would consider your overall riding conditions and how it might affect you positivley in one aspect and negetive in another and weigh it out from there.
BOMBOWNER.

 

BOMBOWNER, you are running the ITP Sand Tire Kit as well? Haven't heard much talk about them, fairly spendy but sure look nice. Did you get the 8 or 10 paddle Haulers?

I have a Custom X Slip On, K&N and DynoJet kit on the way so I will try it with stock sprockets first and see how I like it. I still may go with a 15 tooth front to help out trail riding with the stock tires, first gear is kind of high for slow puttin on trails even with the 20" rear tires. In talking to Peter tonight about the Custom X he said when the RPM's hit about 3500 you can't hardly keep the front end on the ground.

 

Yes, I had to dig deep in the pocket for the kit lots of ooohs and aaaahs from the onlookers though. There is some thing about a big set of wheels and tires that makes you feel a bit more manly..(mabey its just me!) I just re-jetted today and I'm still experimenting with needle position and possibly going up in the main jet. With the addition of the FMF slip on and the K@N I have to say it the front end sure does want to come up and stay up! I'm not sure what I want to do as far as gearing goes I need to make it back to the sand first with the new additions to be able to make my decision.
BOMBOWNER.