changing tires and spockets

[boargaurd]

I am looking at replacing my tires on my 97 warrior and wanted opinions on dropping to 20x11x9 on the rear and what is suggested for the front? Looking for a good tire on the front that will allow better steering in all terrain conditions. We recently rode in a lot of mud and turn the bars the bike kept going straight. Seems these bikes are heavy enough to turn but not very good.

Also changing the rear tires to smaller do I need to drop the front sprocket size to a 12 or raise to a 14 for any better performance? Hill climb and trail ride mostly, top speed is fun but not always the case where we ride.

 

[slamdam97]

When I changed to 20 inch rear tires I didn't like the gearing change that went along with it. I went to a 14t front sprocket and it corrected back to near stock gearing.

 

[yakuza]

Yep, 20" rears and 14t front sprocket are a good combo.

 

[boargaurd]

So if you change to 20s and the 14t sprocket puts it back to near stock, Why do it? You loose a inch of ground clearance droppig for 22s to 20s.

Do you still run 22s on the front?

 

[yamarider]

22's are heavier and have more sidewall flex, so a 20" is a better performing tire. You just gotta weigh the good and bad and decide for yourself what you want. 20's do make the machine feel a lot more sporty and all that, and it's only an inch of ground clearance that you lose. I've always ran 22's front and back just because I have to keep up with 4x4's sometimes, but in the spring i'm also going to get a seperate set of 20's when I don't need the extra traction and ground clearance.

 

[micheal654]

But sport quads haven't got a lot of ground clearance(thats some bad spelling) to begin with just my opinion for what its worth

 

[98warrior]

The 14t wont put it back to the exact stock gearing but close enough.

 

[lucasislight]

i have 20's on the back and 13 tooth up front, very easy to wheelie, in fact when i drag people i start in second as opposed to first. i like the lower gearing, and being able to wheelie on the powerlines in 4th or 5th in certain spots. i put the 14 on when i get out on the lakes though, im even considering a 15 for the lake so i can really fly.

 

[yakuza]

The reason I like the 14T is because the 13 is just too low. I wouldn't even use first gear with the 13, ever. Even when I raced with it, I'd pull the holeshot in second and be first off the line every time. With the 14 I can actually use first gear now, and my top speed is a little higher.

 

[yamaharaptor350]

Yep, 20" rears and 14t front sprocket are a good combo.

yep ^^

 

[98warrior]

Yeah Im gona get a 14 tooth soon (if i dont get z400, i've changed my mind again....) The 13 tooth is too low even with 22 in. tires, 1st gear is pretty much useless. In drag races I use 2nd gear every time.

 

[xkingraptor350x]

wow ive used a 12 tooth for the longest time and i thought it complements my hmf exhaust nicely.

 

[wnk]

My Warrior with 20s and stock gearing is a riot to ride. The only down side is a slight reduction of ground clearance. I had 22s on it before, IMO 20s are a cheap way to add some low end punch.

 

[98warrior]

IMO 20s are a cheap way to add some low end punch.

Not as cheap as gearing it down a tooth

 

[dave76]

[quote:bbo6gv2z]IMO 20s are a cheap way to add some low end punch.

Not as cheap as gearing it down a tooth[/quote:bbo6gv2z]
You are correct on that 98, a 12T sprocket will only run you about $20

 

[yakuza]

Hell, you can find one for about $7 if you look around. Low end power doesn't get much cheaper than that...lol.

 

[wnk]

[quote:lanusgff]IMO 20s are a cheap way to add some low end punch.

Not as cheap as gearing it down a tooth[/quote:lanusgff]

Agreed, unless you need to buy new tires anyways, as in the case with me. Of course, my 20s were free but that's a different story....