Chrismas is just around the corner. The wife is already asking what I would like Santa to bring. I have this new X and would like some paddles with rims for the Silver Lake, MI trip next spring.

What rim/tire combination is the best for the DS? With all the choices and my being a newbie, I would like help from the people who know sand. ITP has new paddles (Sand Stars), there are extreme haulers, etc. Please help me so I don't screw up my X-Mas list.

 

Forgot one thing, where to buy (over the net) would be good to know as well.

 

Personally, I like Sand Skate IIs on Douglas Red Label (.190) aluminum wheels. I can climb anything I want, and I'm still able to enjoy some good, hard, sand trail riding. A lot of folks prefer Haulers, but they're primarily for hillshooting and not much else. I don't have experience with the new ITP SandStars, but they look very intriguing.

I've always purchased my tires and wheels from Rocky Mountain ATV. Their prices are competitive, their selection is outstanding, their shipping charges are reasonable, and their customer service is good. You should definitely check them out. Good luck![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

There has not been that much response on the Sand Stars, so I am not sure on these tires. But like any new tire everybody thinks it will be great, but always go back to Skat Tracs (ie: Gecko)

I run 22" 9 paddle Skat Trac Extreams and love them. I would never go back to anything else now. Make sure you go with a 22" tire either way, the DS seems to like a little taller tire. I bought mine from Prowlers Speed & Custom. Great service and Great prices. There # 800-368-3593

 

I saw alot of quads running sand stars this weekend at LS, but none on any DS's. Most were on the new Yamaha 450's. For an "el cheapo" setup, I've got GBC 22x8 dune trackers and 10" sand devils. The fronts work great! The rear are simply too small for a machine as heavy as the DS. I can slide the tail around without effort for twisting through trails, and can make it up all the hills. However, I get stomped my everybody in the drags. I'm planning to keep my devils for trail riding and get a big set of haulers for drag use. Hope this helps

 

I run the 22'' ten paddle haulers and i luv em i think that all of my friends love them just as much as i do

 

Hey now, I was running the sand stars at LS this weekend. They were recommended by Jim's sand toys and I think they were perfect. I was riding with a big group and another DS with us was running haulers. The haulers hooked up better, but it was less fun to just play around with them. I weigh enough that the sand stars always had plenty of bite and I could carve a dune tapped out in third and control the slide with the throttle. The only thing that I had a problem with was the rims. They told me that 160's were enough wheel for the sand and they probably would have been if I stayed on the ground. I almost taco'd both of the rims on one jump. In general I think they are good all around tires, but maybe not drag race tires, especially if you don't weigh a lot.

Justin

 

.190's with 22's from Rocky Mountain for the rear. You can go "cheapo" with the GBC 22/8 on .160 for the front(work great), but do't get the sand shark for the rear, you will be left behind, and won't like the gearing ratios they create. (I already made that mistake) V paddles if you are less aggressive on the gas, and straights otherwise.

 

PS - I have heard that using 8" rims in the rear will help in the drags.

 

Sorry BajaIowa, I didn't see you. Does ITP measure their 22" at the tips of the paddles or the carcass?