I know there is a lot of different brands of paddles on the market...Looking for the one that works the best, with basically a stock Baja X... Tire heighth?..and if I need to make a front gear change?
Keeping in mind it will definately the mods done to it, pipe ..jetting..air box...rev limiter in the future...
Steve

 

I guess it depends on what you want to do. Ride the dune or drag race? Most people are probaly going to agree that 22" hauler 8 paddle are the best for draging on a stock to mildly modded DS. I bought some 22" Sand Stars for just riding the dunes. Heard they were a pretty good tire.

 

I also run a 15 tooth front sprocket for the 22" tires.

 

22 inch tires on a Ds are a must. Some run a 15tooth sprocket and others run the stock one.

As for which tire is the best. Like Jmac650, it depends on your riding style duner or drag racer.

 

I have 22" haulers and am very happy with out-of-the-whole, general floatation, and straight line performance but am not so happy with the inability to slide at all (although I can live with it). I may bite the bullet and order some Edge 22s but I don't care for their short durability. I have sand stars on the wifes Z and like them ok but for the DS I want to keep the paddle tire as light as possible (especially with 22s), that's just me though.

As far as the 15T, I rode a Glamis and at Amargosa with the stock countershaft sprocket and IMO the 15T is light years better (and I'm a fast duner). If I had to do a reset and didn't have much cash the 1st thing I'd do over anthing else is drop kick the 16t. It'd be nice to have the power to pull the stock gearing with 22s, and in the sand but when you're stock or slightly modified the 15 really shines.

Have fun and hope you have as good an experience as I'm having with getting the bike tweaked. With just the couple things I've done it's been an absolutely night and day difference in performance.

Rich

 

Bidbears, I currently run 20 8 paddles. I am looking into purchasing 22" triple buffs just for racing. Depending on the place I'm at, determines which gear is best suited there. I like the 20 inchers and 15 tooth front sprocket for just duning and shooting steep dunes. I do think the 22" tires will float better but would need the 15 to bring the gear down, maybe even a 14 for running the steeper stuff. My extremes have tons of hours on them, I'm hoping for another season or two on them, great tire. Jed

 

Steve,

I have few modifications, pipe and air-box and jetting that's all and what I have determined the best for me are the 22x11x10" Sand Star's. I'm also running the dual ribbed Sand Star fronts 22x8x10 which is 1" wider then stock for better flotation in the dunes. However with that said I do not drag race if I did I'd opt for the 22" haulers. I also use a 15T front sprocket because with the additional diameter of the rear ( 20" to 22") I needed to drop the sprocket by 1 tooth to keep very close to stock gearing. I also have a 14T with me just in case I need lower gearing still....

Hope you are happy with what ever decision you make.

 

Im one of the few that have stayed with the 20" tire for the sand. Im more into running in the dunes than dragging at the hill but can do both with no problem.

No matter what size you run you should not loose performance since you can make adjustments in gearing to compensate.

assuming rim size is the same for comparisons sake.... the 22' tire will give a little better ride due to the extra side wall and float better in the sand due to a larger footprint, the downside is that in the turns the tire has a tendancy to "roll" over. Using a larger diameter rim would cure the roll but take away from the ride due to the reduced side wall. BUT You still have the advantage of a larger footprint and that gets more power to the ground.
Now the 20" tire has less contact area and less side wall which makes for a little rougher of a ride but a "sportier" feel . whenI jam it into the turns I dont get the mushiness from a taller sidewall. Not to mention the 20" lowers the center of gravity a touch.

All in all I really think the differance between the two is splitting hairs. For an all around good choice I would say get the 22" The majority runs them and how can ya go wrong there? Shoot you may even pick up a used set for cheap!

 

I started out with 20"x 10" x 10/paddles then went to a 22" x 11" x 8/paddle, the 20" was a blast in short turnsthe rear slid with no problem, but would dig in now and then, the 22" were great for floatation and being on 10" x 10" wide rims gave it a lower profile, let loose in a slide and hooked when you needed to get R done!

 

Thanks guys for all the replys..Think I will go with the 22 x 11 Sand Star...and do the end cap and filter mod.
Don't want to dedicate a drag bike..want to be able to tule around and play on the bowls. Hopefully get one or two more rides this year with the mods and tires on before it gets too hot...
Thanks again for your replys...
Steve