Like a babe in the woods......

[yaegerb]

Good Afternoon all,
As the title suggests, I am a bit lost here and looking for opinions on paddle tires as I am planning a trip to little sahara (Waynoka, OK) next springs with some riding buddies. It will be my first time in the sand and will be straddling my '85 250R. Looking for some opinions on economically priced paddles that are all around riders with decent quality. Also, I am curious if I need to go and spend money on a front mohawk or if my regular dirt tire will work.

Thanks in advance for any/all replies!

[rg97]

I think that it all depends on how big your wallet is...
For ~$140 per tire--not on rims-- you can get skat trak haulers (straight paddle), or really any of their designs, which are the best paddles, period IMO. Very light and grip indefinitely
For ~$100 per tire--not on rims-- you can get ITP sand stars ('V' paddle), which are very good but are heavier than the skat traks, but less $
For ~$70 per tire--not on rims-- you can get Kenda Sand Geckos (V paddle), which are the budget, kinda heavy, cheap ones.

[rg97]

Forgot to include about your front tire...
Stick with what you have now. You probably wont notice a difference when you're throwing 30ft roosts and going pinned 6th across the sand. Not a better feeling in the world!

[JasonB]

when i was shopping last winter before going out to Glamis in march, i searched our local craigslist and found some nice deals. people swear up and down about certain paddles. I went with skat tracker Extremes 8 paddle for the 310 bike. got around fine! I would recomend looking around locally; plenty of guys bought them for st joe's and they just end up collecting dust. I prefer 10" wheel/tires because i like the look, but racers and such suggest an 8" tire becausee the walls will flex more and create a pillow on the sand instead of digging in more. I personally dont notice and enjoyed my 10x11x20 paddles on 10x10 itp wheels. looks dead seksy! You could find a nice set of sand geckos ( i dont like the way they look, and are heavier than the skat trackers because they are molded instead of buffed down). Anyways, theres plenty of info around here. and on trx250r.ORG too. You could prob grab a set of 8" paddles here locally on the CL on honda patern wheels for less than 100$. I would recomend staying away from molded tires, people swear they turn better and im sure they do, but i didnt have any issues at glamis on my straight paddle extremes. If you find some skat tracker Haulers grab them, those should be fine. I was recmonnded to get the 'extremes' because the paddles are thicker and will hold up when cutting through paved lots etc to get to dune riding areas

[The_Steve_Man]

Look for some used ones on craigslist. Anything will work. Others tell me v paddles are better for sliding. I have only been once and used straight paddles and they worked fine. I wouldn't spend a lot of money if you don't go that much. The front tire will be fine.

Let me know when your going I will go.

[C.J]

Theres also the Paddle Master's. They are heavier but insane griptio and theres meat there to seriously comp cut

[Mr. Clean]

My primary riding is the dunes and the only paddles I own are Skat Traks.

I have ridden on both v and straight, for me the only thing that allows you to slide better with paddles is more horsepower, giving it more thumb and more balls than brains.

I also really love riding in the dunes on knobbies, the TRX250r rear knobs are perfect as they are radials and help float on the sand. Its all about momentum.

The mohawk front is not mandatory, the OEM front tires do great, but a 250r duner looks so hot rod with razor front and haulers in the back.

[Twittle]

I would just keep an eye on craigslist seeing as you have quite a bit of time before your trip and if you are not going to make many of trips to the dunes it doesn't make cense to spend a bunch of $ on new ones. I would try and find some 8 paddle haulers or even sand skate II's, either will work fine although I like the haulers for my 250r a little better. I know around here you can pick up used sand skate's on wheels for around $100 or less. As for the front tire don't worry about it just run the stock one it will be fine.

[M.Pargiello]

I picked up a set of new sand stars on blue label dwt's for $100 on the local Craigslist (guy is selling an amazing 3rd Gen R too). Use them on the 250R's and the 200X with just a regular front tire. I ride dunes so little I doubt I will ever use a shark fin, especially since the duro power trail front seems fine in sand

[rg97]

Also, I have heard that front sand tires with the single tread were designed so that you don't throw tons of sand onto yourself whenever you turn, because a 3-'ring' pattern like a stock tire will catch more sand and throw more behind it (and onto you, the rider), while a single 'ring' around the tire throws less and turns the same. Not sure if its 100% true but it seems legit

[bkm]

I just so happened to have pulled my front mowhawk off my bike and its forsale.

[yaegerb]

Bryan.....Consider it sold sir

[yaegerb]

Thanks everyone for your feedback! Way more than I expected and its much appreciated. Looks like I will be checking craigslist

[bkm]

If you want you can use my paddles off my bike. They are older 20x10x8 sand devils, but will work just fine for a stock engine.

[oldskool83]

perhaps you can find a junkish oem front tires and shave off most of the front knobs. Thats what people use to do years ago.