...looks to be what made the difference on Choke Cherry.
I spent 2 hours just on that hill alone. Had to get my revenge after getting my butt kicked a few months ago on it.
Back then, it was with my stock Raptor shoed with Geckos, and just didn't have enough HP to do it in second gear, and too little tire speed for the Geckos in first.
No air box mods or sprocket changes, just an FMF Power Core IV-Q and a Power Bomb header. I can now do it in second gear!.
The FMF didn't do much for my top end, but noticable improvement in mid and low end, which is what I wanted.
Honestly, I think any aftermarket full exhaust would of done the trick. I chose FMF because I had to keep the decibal levels down, and it does that.
By the way, I was the ONLY Raptor there the whole time. The only four stroke too. Most every one else rode Banchees, none of which had any problems making it up, and a few modded ones were very impressive.
For any of you that have stock raptors, I hope this helps. And those of you with Banchees, I still love my Raptor, but, you have my respect.

 

You made it up in second gear? How much do you weigh? (if you don't mind me asking). I had to go into first. Had plenty of speed in 1st to get up it. Second with my fat azz it was bogging to much. My son could get up it in 2nd almost 1/2-3/4 of the way then even he shifted into 1st. He weighs 90lbs. I feel he could have made it but i think he felt more comfortable with lots of power instead of feeling like, maybe it will make it. He's also 11 years old. St Anthonys is an awsome place to ride. I can't wait until I get to return. You can see the videos in my signature.

 

160lb's, but it's solid muscle, so I'm areodynamic.
Yes, a couple of times, in second gear, the engine was lugging pretty hard, almost at stall speed, but still made it. Tell your son not to chicken out and pop it into first so quick. With his weight, even on a stock Raptor, he'll probably make it. And as I learned today, if you get stuck, you can turn it around by yourself without rolling it down the hill. (I did get stuck twice, both times by waiting too long and downshifting to first too late, instead of believing in second gear)
My fastest times up came when I rounded the turn around in second, hit the jump and whoops in third, then down shifted to second about 1/4 of the way up. It seemed to hold the RPM's well with all of the momentum I had.

 

From what I've seen you'd have a lot more success with different sand tires than the Geckos, which are just not enough tire for the big bore quads--great for the Z400 or 400EX though. Skat-Trac Haulers or the Extremes for sand tires and my guess would be you'd have no trouble up hills.

LS

Scrambler 500
Trail Blazer 250

 

Hey,
I was at Silver Lake in July and I could go up the hill in 4th gear and 3rd gear with no problem. I had Razr tires on it but I didn't have paddles though but I guess that hill must be monster compare to the silver lake's big hills. I have Full Yoshi Pipe and it gave me alot more torque in 2nd gear. I never bog anywhere in Silver Lake. Right now I have Gecko and I am going to Little Sahara, OK over thanksgiving. Is there any monster hills in Little Sahara,OK? I hope they do!
See ya
take care,
Dusty

 

Lucky Strike...Yes, I'm looking for a new sand tire. Funny thing about the Geckos, they do well on side hills and just cruising around the trails. They're really tough too. But they rob horse power and require a lot of spin to be effective.
A former Gecko owner changed to Turbo Paddles on his Cannondale and loves them. They kind of look like Haulers, but less fragile, you know?.
So many choices!. I know one thing, I'm not going with 11" wheels again, they dent too easy.

 

kodiakbob,what the heck is the grade on this "choke cherry"you are talking about?Sounds pretty damn steep!Have you seen any modded scramblers or sport 400s tackle that hill?How'd they do?

 

biggin...It is steep, but what seems to make it difficult is the sand. It seems to suck you right in as you climb, very loose. It also doesn't help that what little take off space you have is filled with whoops and a jump.
Modded Banchees just start at the bottom and accelerate up, using thier short but powerful power band and close gearing. Raptors need a little more room to get the RPM's up with the tall, wide gearing.
I don't think you'll see many 400ex's(not enough power), or Scramblers(too heavy) on Choke Cherry.
Quick, light 2 stokes, with the right setup just seem to rule on that hill.

 

Who makes Turbo paddles? Any websites or pictures?

 

"Turbo Paddles" are made by King Tires. I don't know where to buy them, but will try to find out.
King Tires has a website, but it's under construction, not much there.