Just bought a brand new raptor 700 and I?m ready to take it out to the dunes, just one problem. I?m not sure what tire set up is best for my bike. The parts guy @ the dealership talked me into getting a set of ITP Sand Stars tires, front and back and a set of C-series type 6 wheels. He even recommended that the 12inch wheel was perfect for the style and power of the Raptor. I thought the 12inch wheel would look better and different then the other Raptors at the dunes. Well, the parts came in today and to my surprise they look like crap to me. The rear tire is a 22x11x12 set on a 12x7 wheel and it looks too skinny. It looks like its 2inches thinner then the stock dirt tires. Is this normal? Or should I be running a different set up? Any suggestions about what size wheel and tire I should be running. Keep in mind I?m not a drag racer just a dune rider.

 

C series wheels look great.. You really want an 8" wheel. This gives a much smoother ride as it allows alot of sidewall for the tire.. It also will allow the tire to float better in the sand.. A 21 or 22" tire is a must for the 700.. Don't worry if the tire is a little narrow it won't hurt anything..

 

C-series look nice but are heay but you have a 700.

 

Agree with above on the 8" wheels and I will add that you can run a much lighter and less expensive rim on an 8 because you have all that rubber as a cushion before the rim. You also do not have to watch air pressure like a hawk like you do with 10s, and I can't image how critical air pressure must be on a 12.

I do differ, with the statement about needing 21s or 22s. I've run up to 22s (when I had my DS) but currently run 20s on the rappy (also ran 20s on our Z400). My take/experience is that in most cases (save for the DS650) 20s are perfectly adequate and I like them better.

NOTHING WRONG with going in either direction (20s, 21s, 22s), just personal preference, but there is absolutely no way I'd run a 12 rim.

 

On a 700R, 22's will get you down the strip faster than 20's, they'll also get you up a treeshot alittle easier. I have 22" Extreme Haulers and 20" Sand Stars on C series rims, the 20" Sand Stars allow your rearend to kick out alittle too much for my liking, but, they are a fun tire to play in the dunes with [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

hi reddog, I ride a raptor 734 with 21" extreme haulers 10 paddles and the only thing I would change is going to the 22"
the ITP sidewinders are a good tire if you like doing donuts and thrashing in the sand, but for the big roost and hook up going up that hill, you want a stright paddle. the haulers cost a little more but they are worth the price.
in addition it's ok to up grade.