Ok... we've talked tons about the number of paddles to run and the like on the hill shooting 4-strokes. The popular opinion of the real fast camps seems to be that 7 paddles will spin easier thus keeping speed on the top end where you want it - fast. Would shaving a touch off the paddles begin to make a 7-paddle setup have similar hookup & high-speed characteristics as say a 6-paddle?

 

I run an 8 paddle but i think you can get away with a 7 paddle ultra lite...That is as low as i would go, the small sparks 400;s rund the 6 paddle, that is too few for my taste..

 

Cool... but what I'm after is what do you/others think would happen if you were to take say a 7-paddle and shave the paddles down, thus creating less grip/more spin. In other words customizing you paddles to spin more. I don't know why it wouldn't work.

 

I've ran 8, 9, and currently 10 paddle (haven't actually gotten to try my 10 yet though) but I wouldn't EVER go below 8 on anything. 9 paddle haulers worked great but I still needed more traction, thats why I got the 10. My bro recently got some 9 paddle taller haulers and it was a little much I think, really slowed down the top end with all that extra drag from the 1/2" of extra paddle.

 

i saw a pic of a full out hillshooting yfz that smoked everyone and it used 7 paddle tires. i think you might have seen it too it was posted on the forums.

 

I think the main reason for fewer paddles is weight and a little slippage so the engine can turn up quickly. I don't know if trimming down more paddles would have the same effect. It seems if you lost the cup in the paddle it would not be good.

 

selector-I have considered shaving paddles before but i never did because i have found that increasing or decreasing pressure can have a greater effect on traction than most would think.I am sure you are aware that tire pressure can effect performance but going as low as 3 lbs for very dry conditions and as high as 6 or maybe even 7 lbs for heavy wet sand will give you as much adjustability for different conditions as you should need.I run 10 paddle haulers on my 686 raptor and on my wifes 440 ex and although they take away slightly from the top end they are very good for short sand drags and for extreme climbing.

 

Well I have done it.

A few years ago my lowly LT250R was just not pulling the tires well enough, would drop out of the powerband too easily for my tastes. I aired up high but couldn't overcome it. Sand Skate II's.

I took a utility knife, and carefully carved off about 1/8" from the paddles, by pinching the knife blade and drawing it towards me along the paddle. It was fairly easy to do.

The results were very satisfying. Got enough more tire slip to keep up in the band, and overall performance was much better. Skate II's have a pretty tall paddle blade to begin with.

Of course that LT is a covered wagon compared to your (and now MINE) YFZ's, but the principle is the same.

 

Hey, Why dont you just shave off ALL the paddles, you should get great wheel spin. (especially for Mem. Day..)LOL

 

Well that would give those DS riders a chance. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]