I have run my Raptor this last week on the dunes and could only coax a little over 60mph as indicated on my trailtech speedo. It runs skat track edge paddles. Big Gun slip on and stock airbox/filter. Is this normal to lose so much speed? It sure felt fast but the speedo read 60-63 most of the time. This was level hard packed sand. Is this the tires, sand, or my quad not running right?

 

Yeah, I think it is possible to loose speed in the dunes due to the fact that the sand is so loose and lets face it, even with paddle tires, in sand you don't really get the greatest traction. You do get better traction with paddle tires don't get me wrong, its like the same thing riding in mud, your tires spin a lot where as on hardpack dirt tires normally bite a lot better. See, as your paddle tires are scooping out the sand, they are still "spinning" at the same time because they are not really grabbing onto anything. Its hard to explain, but its like they get traction, but yet they throw traction as well. I know that might seem a little confusing. Sorry about that.

As for you speedometer reading between 60-63, I think that is pretty fast. Assuming that your speedometer is correct, well hell, I think that is really fast. Think of it this way, going 60mph on a jet-ski across a lake that is as smooth as glass. I think that is pretty fast!!!

Fourtracker14

 

Paddles take power and power is required for top speed.

 

its because your paddles are probably smaller than your stockers, measure them across the smooth part of the tire (not the paddles) and i think you'll find they're a little smaller, not sure tho, im gonna measure mine tommorrow and see for myself,

 

60-63 sounds pretty good to me..

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Traction is 1 reason for the slower speeds, The main reason though is drag. Sand puts a lot of drag on your quad compaired to asphalt, concrete or dirt.

 

60ish is pretty good in the sand depending on how soft it was. Sand really drags you down and the paddles don't make it any faster either. The fastest I ever bothered to measure on my Banshee on relatively soft sand using haulers was 56 MPH according to my GPS. On pavement I can get into the low to mid 80's by way of comparison.

 

On the river where I ride at , it is all sand. With a GPS I got 62-63 MPH with 14-40 gearing and the stock tires. With a 15-40 gearing and stock tires I managed to pull off a max speed of 66 MPH. Both of these runs where on flat , somewhat smooth very loose sand.
BTW I run alcohol for fuel in my raptor at that time.

A buddy of mine put the GPS in his pocket and made a pass on his banshee. To my suprise he only managed to get 62 MPH. His banshee is alot faster than my raptor in a dragrace. But, how come he could not go as fast as me and my raptor? His bike will run 5.3-5.4 in hundred yard sand drags[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

I never realized that the sand would slow me down so much. I figured the paddles might cost me a 1-2mph penalty but didnt figure on drag. I wonder if the smooth buff front tires would actually effect top speed??

 

im not sure about the smooth buffs, but i know my dune trackers (with the single rib down the middle) help with flotation, and the key to going fast in the sand (as i understand it, im no expert) is staying on top, it will help to eliminate drag and keep you goin,

just my opinion tho