I've got a 40hp CT440 and I was hopin' some of you westcoast dune experts could tell me which paddles I should run. Here has been my experience so far. Last year I had a set of 20" Dune Trakkers. The traction was o.k., the quad turned great, but I got hung up every time I stopped. I then got a set of Skat-Trak 22" Tall Haulers. The traction was awesome. The quad never got hung up but I had 2 problems. First, it had a turning radius of a 747 and my bike wouldn't pull 5th gear [ it was still a 400 ] What do you guys reccomend? I still have the Skat-Traks. Will the extra 10 horses make the Skats work? Ive been on Banshees with 22" straight paddles and they turned and slid very well. Is this a horsepower vs. torque issue. Lastly, turning is more important than stright line accelaration. I'm all ears.

Thanks, TRX 440

 

When my business partner and I were getting ready to buy paddles for our 400EXs. We kept running into emails about which type to use, sand sharks ( the V shaped paddles) or straight paddles. Fortunately we bought a pair of each and some Douglas rims. Just before receiving the tires and rims my partner read on the internet that if you weight 180 pounds or less to get the V shaped sand sharks, but if you weigh more than 180 pounds to get the straight paddles. Whoever wrote that could'nt of been more right. My partner is a little guy weighing far less than 180 pounds, whereas I weigh more than 180 pounds. My partner doesn't like the way my 400EX handles with straight paddles. I find riding his that while the V paddles hook up better going up hills, I have to slow way down to turn. I can turn just as sharp going 20 mph on my 400EX, as my partner's 400EX with V paddles going 2 mph. Hope this helps.

 

I'm sorry, you kind of lost me on the last sentence. Are you saying that the straight-paddles feel good in sharp high-speed turns, where the v-paddles feel like your going to roll because they don't slide around like the straight paddles?

I'm 170lbs, so would you recommend the straights or the V-paddles for me? My friend has a LT250R Quadracer that's pretty nutted up, but he weighs about 230lbs, so should he definitely get straight paddles? What advantages do the V-paddles have over the straights, and vice versa? My friend and I are planning a trip to the Oregon dunes in a couple weeks, and we are thinking about getting some paddles before we head over there. How bad would my stock 400EX tires be on the dunes? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

I was so used to straight paddles until I got my Banshee. Those things turn way better at low speed. With straights, you can tip if you're going too fast and don't have the wheelspin you need to slide. I've ridden a 400EX once. They sit a little too high compared to my LT250 that i ju8st got off of. the EX had Sand Skate II's. They hooked up real good, and i felt a little safer on it because it was more top heavy, which would make it easier to roll. A while ago, I would have said straights, but now, I'd suggest V-shaped. either the sand sharks, of Sand Skate II's, if you got the money for em.

 

I run 21x12x8 haulers with eight paddles. The work very well.

99 426ex , Web Cam, FCR carb w/ twist, CT revlimiter, DMC exhaust, XCT's ,K&N, One kit, Renthal bars, DG nerfs, Armidillo Swingarm plate, 8 paddle Haulers

http://www.trxoutlawz.com/

 

Hey Air,

Like your site. What's the difference in running 8" or 9" or 10"? I was thinking about the 21" wheels cuz they split the difference 'tween the 22' and 20' that I had problems with. How does the different wheel sizes effect jumping, turning and overall ride? Your help is greatly appreciated my friend.

 

I personally don't like running 10's especially when jumping. They are more easily bent. 9's are an uncommon paddle size. Running a straight blade really helps hooking up. It will not corner as easily though. But good riding and a little throttle easily overcome this.

 

I also run 21-12-8 Haulers on doug.190.These paddles are great for hill shooting and max acceleration,very stable when running across ridges.great for jumping due to more tire sidewall compared to 10inch.Rounded profile requires Gas and body english to slide it but the hookup cannot be matched by any v type.My wife runs Sand sharks 20-11-8 on her 300 ex and my buddy and his wife have Skat-trak edges(v-blade)20-10-10 on their 400&300ex.The v blades slide real easy with very little effort and hook up well also but do occasionally get stuck.So back to your original question.I think with the additional hp you now have plus leaning off side more when sliding it you should be able to get the tall haulers to perform more to your liking.If not then I would recommend the 20-10-10 regular haulers.This will have a flatter profile for easier sliding but still straight blade for better hookup.

 

21" - 22" 8paddle haulers