I'm getting a set of American Racing TT tires and was wondering whether to get the 10" or 9" width. I would think the 9" width would hookup better but not sure. Thoughts?

 

The general setup is usually if you ride a 4-stroke you use the 8 inch wide tires and on 2-strokes use the 10 inch wide tires. But it really comes down to traction of the specific track you are on. This coming weekend at the TT national in greenville, you will probably see most everyone using 8 inch wide tires, because greenville hooks up really well.

 

In most situations for a 4 stroke the 8" width is the way to go. Recently, I bought a set of 10" width tires for the rear and was able to get some really good starts. I was told that the 10"s drive really hard in the straights, but float a little more in the corners. While the 8"s hook up great in the corners, but you lose a little in the straights.

 

You also need to take into consideration the compound tire you are buying. 23 is the softest AR makes. I like to run 23s up front and 33s in the rear. Most guys I run with run 23s all the way around. I am a bigger guy and don't have much problem getting the rear end to hook up.

The best way to do it is to buy a set of a couple different compounds in a each width, but you are probably like the rest of us and don't have the money to do such a thing. 23s will wear faster but hook up better. Ask yourself the question: Do your tires to last or do you want to go fast?????

 

We run the 8" wide tires on my son's Blaster, as do all others in the Blaster class in our part of the country.

For the 400EX, Raptors, Banshees, and 250R's, most are running 10" wide tires. Occasionally, you'll see someone running 8" wide tires, but that's the exception, not the rule.

My son has rode a close friends Raptor in two races, and we used 10" wide tires, and still had trouble finding traction.

Regards,

Rog

 

I started to feel really good about the 8" tires but now I'm thinking 10" may be the way to go. Anyone else want to comment? The track I ride has lots of corners and only 1 long straight.

 

AdamSmith, You mentioned parting out a 400ex in your sig. Would you have any spindles, frt rotors or calipers? I would be interested in buying any of these that you might have.

 

I presume these are going on the Cannondale. I'd personally go with the 10" wide tires.

The rule of thumb around here is small motor, low hp, 8" tires. Bigger motor, more hp, 10" tires.

I've seen near stock 400EX's (mid 30's hp) run 10" tires with no problems.

Regards,

Rog

 

Mojaveaddict, I still have the front calipers which are in very good shape, the rotors are ok, but not great. The spindles I am using since they are pretty much the best choice. Let me know if you are interested.

 

Thanks for all the advice. It looks like I kinda jumped the gun a little and got the 8" rims. Hopefully they will hook up good and maybe even corner a little better than the 10" rims.