SEE, I BOUGHT SOME 22" HOLSHOTS NOT TO LONG AGO AND THERE STILL IN GREAT CONDITION. I'M GETTIN IN TO RACING AND WANT SOME 18" HOLESHOTS BUT DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO DROP THE FRONT SPROCKET DOWN SOME TEETH TO MAKE IT LIKE I GOT 18" TIRES? IF SO, HOW MANY TEETH SHOULD I GO DOWN ON THE FRONT TO MAKE IT THAT? WOULD IT DO THE SAME ON TRACK?

 

COME ON! SOMEBODY MUST KNOW. I GOT A RACE ON THE 18TH AND I NEED TO DO SOMTHING. HELP PLEASE!!!

 

Not knowing how many teeth you have on the front makes it somewhat challenging to answer. But, since 18" represents a about a 20% reduction from 22", I would say multiply your current sprocket size by 80% and you'll be close. But, I'm sure there is a physical limit as to how far you can go. Good luck on your race

 

Dropping one tooth would return you to stock gearing with the 20" tires. So I'd go down to a 13 tooth sprocket. The gearing would be about the same. The thing that doesn't give you is the performance of the smaller, lighter weight, better cornering 18" tire.

 

You can compensate for the difference in gearing by changing the size of the sprockets but that doesn't solve all your problems. You have still got the added mass of a bigger tire and, worse yet, that mass is located further out from the centerline of the axle (bigger rotating mass). Think of it as creating a negative torque on the engine. It therefore takes more energy to get the tire to accelerate and decelerate. Also, a bigger tire means more "unsprung" weight. This is weight that is not cushioned by the suspension. Unsprung weight detracts from the handling characteristics of any vehicle. Unless you are an excellent rider that is only held back by the ability of the quad (and not your own ability) I wouldn't worry about the size of your tires. Save up and when you are good enough that you feel your tires are the main thing holding you back, buy them then.