the reason for running fewer paddles is to free up HP on a steep hill that really loads the motor and that is not real short in length. to compensate for extra spin off the line with fewer paddles you need to gear way up and/or launch in a higher gear. the hill may be too short in length to benefit. swingarm length and chassis setup also play a big role in this since they affect transfer.

 

i have 10 paddle extremes on my 686 raptor and they are two much. im thinking about selling them and going with a 8 paddle. i also ride at 8000 feet so at that alitude i have less horsepower then those guys around sea level.

 

A big part of why the 7 paddles didnt perform as i thought they would is probably because the comp hill that i do most of my racing on is just a little over 300 feet in length with no flat area to start off on.When you race on this particular hill you have to take off from a point that is starting to climb fron the very start of the race but if i had more of a flat area to get rolling better first i could see where the 7 paddles would work.I launch as hard as i can in second so that part i have down but i should probably stick to the longer races to let my strong top end come into play and that would mean more wins.I imagine that some of our local riders will read this and they can vouch for the fact that our comp hill at florence is not only tough because of the starting point being so short but also at this time of year the sand is extremely rough and wet.

 

your 7 paddles should be on an 8x8 wheel. That and 2-4lbs air pressure should make them hella faster than 10 paddles. We run 21x12x8 8paddle on 8x8 wheels on the 727's at ST Anthony. Works the best, and trust me,. we've spent enough and learned from our mistakes.

 

keep your tire pressure above 2psi.

Make sure you're bike is geared properly as well.

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to tires because a lot of people dont understand the huge difference between a regular hauler and an ultra-light hauler. An example (for those who dont know) is that a 7 paddle ultra-light will hook harder then a 10 paddle standard hauler.

 

DaBeechMan-The 7 paddle haulers that i ran this weekend are just regular haulers and if they were ultra lights then the outcome may have been different.When i think about how rough and wet the sand was this weekend i guess i should wait until the conditions are better and give the 7 paddle another try before i make a decision for sure on the performance on my 690 with them.

 

beechman.... isnt the only difference between the two ( regular and ultralight) the weight? would shedding that little of weight (rotating mass) make a 7 paddle ul hook harder than a 10 paddle? i never knew weight would affect traction.... sorru if that sounds stupid

 

If you put the ultra lights on your Raptor you can push it thru the sand with one finger, try that with the stock tires or other paddle tires.

 

I only run Extreme Haulars 22X10X8 10 padal with 2 1/2 pounds of air. The hook up like slicks..

 

the OD of the UL are taller and the rotating mass is is alot less. if you were to buy or try some UL you will see what we are talking about. as for myself when i she 7 paddles i know i said Ultra lites. i hate to say it but try and find someone with a 300ex and sell the haulers then go but some ULs