Whats a good paddle for the new R ? - or what have you YZF people been using for months.

Ive got the new STAR IPT and the old Sand Skate II 's - that Im thinking about but its about 100dollar difference.
Who has any info on good paddles - and what makes them good ???


thanks.

 

What kind of riding do you do?

 

Maybe this thread won't go as far astray... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

I have the same question. What to get for my 450R when it comes in. I haven't really developed a riding style at the dunes yet, although, I'd have to say one of my favorite things is the tree shots and trails. I haven't had a wheeler powerfull enough to do hill climbs or drags before, so I don't have any experience there.

From the videos that I've seen, hill climbs look like a lot of fun, but I'm not really into a straight out drag...they just seem boring to me...and you have to keep upgrading something every time you go out, just so you are the fastest. not that upgrading isn't fun...I just dont have the right job for that kind of hobby. Not everyone can afford 900cc dragsters! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

I want to get an affordable set of paddles (ie. cheaper than Haulers) that will give me good control while in the tree shots, and general dune-cruisin', but still let me be competitive for the occasional YFZ drag up Choke Cherry.

My other question is, what kind of wheels should I get? I imagine that 8" rims will offer more wheel protection than 10" wheels from large jumps due to the height of the sidewall. Would .160 thickness be sufficient with 8" rims, or should I go .190? If I do .190 is that strong enough to go up to a 10" rim? What is the handling difference between the two? Am I going to be able to do powerslides easily with 8's?

 

Crazy-I presume you are going to be riding Glamis? I have always prefered the light buffed down Skat-Traks. The newer molded tires just seem so heavy by comparison. That doesn't mean they aren't great tires, it just means they will rob you of some horsepower to turn their extra weight. I have settled on the Edge (V-shaped paddle), because it gives the best pivot for turning. Haulers on the other hand, are best for straight ahead traction, like drag racing. I have run 8-paddles on the Z400, and they do very well. That is what I am going to run on the TRX. Still doing break-in riding in my local hills. Haven't gotten the bike out to the dunes yet though.

 

Ok here goes!

If you are just rec riding (sand trails, tree shooting and playing) go with low cost Sand Sharks, med $ Sand Stars, high $ Skat track edges or Sand Skate II's. I'd size them at 20x11-8's on .160's for all around ridding. The 160's and 8'' will give you some strength and cushion for jumping.

High Speed cruising look at comp shaved STU mini desert tracks.

Hill shooting or dragging go with the Skat Track Haulers any buff you want to use it's just $. For hills I'd go with 20'' 8 paddles.

These are what I would choose! Others may choose differently...

 

comp-cut sandskate 1. the only too go

 

So, for the kind of riding that I mentioned, if you had to choose betwen Sand Sharks, Sand Devils, or Sand Stars, which would you choose?

Of those three tires, how much difference will I notice in straight line accelleration, turning ability, and powerslides?

Since I'm mostly going to be doing rec riding, I'd be willing to give up some of my straight line accelleration for turning ability and the ability to slide the back end out at will. However, if there is a big difference in accelleration, and only a small difference in the others, it might not be worth it...

I've heard that V paddles are better for powerslides, but that just seems strange to me... I would think that the V paddles would provide more resistance to sliding sideways...can you explain this to me?

 

I have some sand sharks on my daughters 400 they work fine just heavier than ssII's. I haven't ridden the stars yet but have friends that really like them. IMO between those three the differance will be minimal all will work well. I would probably lean to the sand stars just because I'd try somthing new.

As for the straight vs. angled turning thing. The angled look more aggresive but aren't. The angled will turn better because they allow more sand to escape the paddle. It will allow the rear end to slide laterally under power. The straight paddles will carry more sand and have more directional stability under power. When you apply power to a straight paddle tire it goes in the direction it is pointed. In short it will resist direction change.

 

Yea - for my riding - in Glamis or Gordons - I probably wont even consider the straight paddles -- i dont care that much about going fast straight up - i want to be able to 'scoot' around all over - and turning is important.

well - looks like the Stars or SS II 's are the only choice --- or the Sand Sharks - if i want to save another few $$$'s.


I agree the new STARS look cool and are newer -= but thats what Im looking at a comparison between them and the SS II 's....


Another topic - everyone is telling me to go with black or red label -- just in case we get crazy on the jumps --- that sound right ?

 

The black label's are .160 thickness, and the red label's are .190 thickness. That is what Oldsandman and I were discussing.

Sounds like .160's and 8" rims are the ticket for general riding with medium-large jumps. Going up to .190's increases your rotational mass even more, and will slow you down more...but if you plan on being picked up on radar by the local airport, you might go .190. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

I agree with you on the V-paddles. According to Rockymountainatv, the prices of the three, mounted on 8" black label rims are:

Sand Shark: $125
Sand Star: $145
Sand Skate II: $202

Unless the difference is night and day, I think I'm going to stick with the Sand Sharks. I'd rather spend that $77 on all the other stuff I need. Not to mention shipping!