We went once to little sahara and the surrounding areas last year, and had a blast, but I found that I couldnt pull sand mountain in third. I was running 22 inch sand stars, 15t front, and stock rear. With this combo I was only making it 1/3 of the way up the face, before having to shift to second.

I currently have 14/15t fronts, but no different rears. Rocky mountain currently has a sale on their aluminum rears, so I was thinking now would be a good time to stock up. This trip we will also be hitting up st.anthonies, so I need to be geared appropriately for choke cherry as well. (which since I havnt been there, I dont know what lightly modified ds' usually can climb it in)

What do you duners suggest? I usually prefer slightly lower gearing for the dunes, but want to be able to pull sand mountain in third (if thats even possible...) but then also be able to safely pull choke.

*edit* Looks like the sale rocky mountain has is only for the 40t rears. The aluminum is 20, and the steel is 35. They also have the 16t front for like 5 bucks.

Would I be best off just slapping the 14t front on, leaving the rear stock? (I know I can adjust tire pressure to help me in either direction) Is the stock rear 38, or 40? (If it is 38, would 15/40 be a good combo?)

 

stock rear is 40t, a 42t rear would be beneficial and I believe is the max the stock chain will go with a 15t front, if you already have a 14t than run that and the 40t rear while you're at LSU and St. A's( about same elev.) Correct jetting will be as critical as the best sprocket/tire combo.
When is your trip ?

 

We will be gone June 3rd through the 12th. I am a bit dissapointed we couldnt make it work out for the following week, because I know some guys from here, and a bunch from the compound are migrating that way around then.

Do you think I would be able to pull 3rd gear all the way up the face of sand mountain (UT) with 14/40 and 22 inch tires? Would be nice to go a bit faster, rather than having to just sit near red line in 2nd all the way up.

 

That sucks. We will be there (St. Anthony) June 13th-17th. Staying at Sand Hills resort.
Don't think it will help you out, but my modded 250R can take Choke Cherry in 3rd gear with my 200 lb butt attached.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

I am assuming my piped YFZ will also pull it in 3rd.

Saw a piped Z400 take it, but took three tries, and he had to shift into 1st right at the very top to barely make it.

Maybe this will give you some kind of a reference as to what the DS will do???

 

Well I am pretty confident I can make it (all 750 lbs of me and quad...im about 220) I just dont know If I can start in 2nd, shift to 3rd, then shift back into second and pull it in second.

 

I saw a DS go up Choke with out going into 1st - it was amazing![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I run 15/42 and can pull sand mtn in 3rd without N2O and 4th with it. I can pull choke in 3rd as well. Hope it helps.

 

Hmm... so 14/40 shouldnt have a problem pulling 3rd? (I have mr hp ported intake/HMF/ and an in box KN)

I think ill put the 14 on, and start with about 5 psi in the sand stars, and adjust accordingly.

 

Roost my stage 2 DS with me at 250pounds will pull the face of sand mountain in 3rd at a strong rpm with the 14T front sprocket, with your lighter weight you might make it. I don't think it'll be a problem for you to pull 3rd on the valley side of the mountain, as I can pull 4th on it with the 14T and 22" 8 paddels.

But when I was at St. Anthony's I was wearing 20" 10 paddles which sucked and I couldn't quite make it all the way in 3rd, almost but not quite. that hill is 1/2 the size of sand mt. but twice as hard it seems. I do believe I will make it this year in 3rd with the tire change but we'll have to see.

as majorecho says tuning will be a key factor so take plenty of jets and find the one that gives you the strongest climb.
If you can't make something in 3rd, you can always gear up to climb it faster in 2nd, so take your stock 16T with you also. But IMO the 14T will give you the best all around performance bowling if your running a stock 40 in the rear.
don't forget about the rear engine mount bolt - the nut needs to be on the left side with the head of the bolt on the right side or the chain can rub the end of the bolt that sticks out past the nut. some bikes have it on one side or the other from the factory so you gotta take a look and see and turn it around if need be.

 

At Sand Mtn. yesterday I did alot of testing with jetting and tires combinations.
My best runs were with 14t front 40 rear 20" Sand Skate II's 3rd gear easy the whole way.
I bolted on a set of 22" Sand Stars and had to go to 2nd near the top.
But... that was in extemely wet sand by Saturday afternoon things were drying out and I was able to pull 4rth 1/3 way up and then drop to 3rd with the 20"ers.

Dad's DS with ported intake Woods CDI T-4 pipe 14-41 gearing ran the 22" Stars and was able to pull third, but not very fast.
(all on the valley side)

Major-you know someone who can pull choke cherry without dropping into 1rst, wow thats fast[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Hightower- FYI #70 nozzle does suckA$$, kind of makes tunning a waste of time[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]