Ultimate Sand Paddle Tire Review - Best Paddle Tires for Your Riding Style

[SHOWTIME]

Ultimate Sand Paddle Tire Review - Best Paddle for Your Riding Style

For more technical information on choosing the best tire style and
size, please click here:
Paddle Tire Science - Every thing you need to know about paddle tires

Our Banshee ripped it up in the Glamis sand.

If we were like those wacky Glamis visitors, we'd care more about how many
six-packs of beer we had. But we're not. You see, we didn't make a trip to the
sand capital of the world to drink beer. Instead, we wanted to eat sand. We
hauled seven quads, numerous boxes of riding gear, a few coolers of grub
and necessary beverages, and most importantly, a pick-up truck full of ATV
paddle tires. This was more than just a weekend getaway. It was the
ultimate testing ground for our paddle tire comparison. We took seven sets of
tires to the sand. Our goal was to discover which setup we liked the best. To
help us, we called upon one classy dune expert to help us do all the work -
the Yamaha Banshee.

Rubber Match-up
To be thorough and fair, we knew we would need a set of tires (two or four,
depending on what we were sent) from each manufacturer. Two
manufacturers, GBC and Sand Tires Unlimited, did not want to participate in
the testing. That left Skat Trak, Kenda, ITP, and Cheng Shin.

Skat Trak provided both The Edge and Hauler rear paddles. Kenda sent us its
Trakker rears and Dune Runner fronts. We requested ITP's new 12-inch wheel
and paddle setup. The Cheng Shin Dune Sliders and Dune Hopper IIs were
provided. A camping neighbor had a set of Sand Tires Unlimited Sand Skate
II's, so we were able to add these paddles to the test, whether the
manufacturer wanted us to or not.

Test Time
The time zone change - from Central to Pacific - had its affect on us. Sure, in
Minnesota we are usually up by 7 a.m., no problem. But in California, that
translates to 5 a.m. Though it may sound bad, we did enjoy the sunrise over
the large dunes. And our great day of paddle tire testing got started a little
earlier than expected.

The next step had us searching for an ideal bowl that would allow us to do
uphill radar runs, as well as simply ride around, roost, jump etc., in order to
get an overall feel for each tire setup. Once we found our bowl, we headed in
to weigh all the tire-and-wheel combos. Our plan was to run a complete four
-tire set if the manufacturer provided it. Only ITP and Kenda sent a four-tire
set. The other competitors went with only rear tires. After the weigh-in, we
headed back to our hand-selected dune.

Skat Trak (The Edge, Haulers)

Skat-Trak The Edge

Skat-Trak Haulers

We went with the Skat Trak The Edge rear tires on Douglas wheels first. This
two tire-and-wheel setup weighed just 33.5 pounds - each tire/wheel
weighed 16.75 pounds. In their three uphill radar runs, The Edge paddles
reached a top speed of 38.3mph, and consistently broke the 10-second
barrier (with a best of 9.75 seconds), for the 450-foot distance we marked off.

These paddles gave our test Banshee what one tester called "huge grip."
They didn't, however, seem to allow us to slide much in the bowl, probably
due to their v-shaped paddles and the Banshee's stock front tires plowing in
the sand. And turning felt somewhat choppy.

When we did turn quickly, these Skat Traks would really throw sand and rip. In
fact, one test rider said his arms were tired after his ride because the tires
hooked up so well. They matched the Banshee's torquey attitude, allowing for
a hang-on-tight type of ride.

We next bolted on Skat Trak's Haulers. These rear tires, also on Douglas
wheels, use straight paddles instead of angled lugs. The Haulers were even
faster in the uphill radar runs, hitting a top speed of 41mph. Climbing the 450
-foot slope in 9.73 seconds.

These rear tires seemed to work well with the Banshees stock front treads.
The straight paddles on the Haulers let you do power slides more easily, yet
they provide excellent straight-line punch when needed. The Haulers were a
good match for the Banshee power, providing excellent low-end grab and
handling, as well as supplying us with sand-slinging speed runs.

Kenda (Trakkers, Dune Runner)

Kenda Trakker

Kenda Dune Runner

We bolted on this four-tire setup and were instantly surprised with the
handling these Kenda paddles gave our Banshee. These tires and wheels
added about7 pounds of additional weight. With the Kenda paddles, we'd get
a better push up and over the sand. With the stockers we'd be left with more
wheel spin, at deeper levels in the sand. The Kenda setup moved the
Banshee up the hill in about 10 seconds, and usually at speeds close to
40mph. We liked the mohawk-style of the Dune Runner fronts. The ridge runs
in the center all the way around the tire, and seemed to help us float over the
sand, and make turning easier. The Trakker rears offered our testers decent
turning grip for a smaller, flatter stance tire, with eight paddles.

Our testers felt that the Kenda paddles didn't seem to slide in the sand as well
as the Cheng Shin Dune Sliders. Also, they didn't seem to hook-up as well as
the Skat Trak The Edge treads. Overall, this tire combination fit the Banshee
well, but it didn't seem to have as much arm-pulling strength as some of the
paddles we tested. We like the look of the tires and how the rear Trakkers
leave their name imprinted in the sand.

Cheng Shin (Dune Slider, Dune Hopper II)

Cheng Shin Dune Slider

Cheng Shin Dune Hopper II

Each of these rear tires was unique. The Dune Hopper II's had eight cupped
straight lugs, and a rather cool (depending on who you talk to) grid-like
pattern interspersed between the each paddle. The Dune Slider rears had
eight v-shaped paddles across the tire, but also had about 16 slightly raised
v-shape patterns in its tread, too. (While we significantly doubt these
patterns in the rubber had an affect on these tires' handling, we wonder why
only the Cheng Shins have them).

The Dune Slider tires have the perfect name for a sand paddle tire. The angled
paddles on this tire let you turn quickly and easily, while at the same time,
roost sand with the best of them. Their radar runs, however, weren't as quick
as most of the tires we tested. The Sliders got our test rider up the hill in
10.33 seconds. Top speeds reached 39.3mph on the hill, too. Remember,
these numbers should only be used to give you a better perspective on each
tire we test. They do not show how each tire handles in the sand. Our testers
came away happy with the Dune Sliders. They provided excellent roosting,
good pull up the dunes, and great power slides. These are a very popular
dune tire.

The Dune Hopper IIs weren't as fast as the Sliders up the hill. They reached
the radar check point in about the same time (10.42 seconds), but could only
manage about 39mph on the gun. However, they did a good job when it came
time to roost. The straight paddles can spit out the sand, and provide a
straight-line speed attack, too. Each of the Cheng Shin tires probably would
be better off with a dune-specific front tire, instead of the stockers. That way,
the front end wouldn't plow in the sand, and the tire could show improvement
in speeds, too.

ITP (12-inch Wheel & Tire Combo)

ITP rears

ITP fronts

We first saw this trick setup at the Indianapolis Dealer Expo in February.
Initially, we were overwhelmed, because of the new chrome wheels and low
sidewall stance of these tall tires. And, in the same breath, we also uttered
that we couldn't wait to try these tires in the sand.

At Glamis, these tires really shine. Sure, they still look sweet, no doubt! But
they also give the Banshee more ground clearance for maneuvering over
those razorbacks, and a taller, more dune-appropriate stance. This setup
helped the Banshee push more sand, enabling it to accelerate faster, and
dominate our uphill radar challenge. The ITP combo was easily the fastest up
the hill recording a 9.40-second run at 43.3mph. The numbers didn't lie. Even
our testers couldn't believe the results. They could feel the difference from the
other tires, and the numbers backed up their beliefs.

The ITP setup was by far the most favorable combination of all the testers.
They seemed to hook-up right away, wasting no time at reaching top speeds.

The bald front tires and straight rear paddles worked awesome together.
Turns, berms, bowls, whoops, and the harder sand in the lowland areas were
no match for this setup. It was smooth in every area we tested it in. If we
wanted the perfect fit for the Yamaha Banshee at Glamis, this would be our
selection.

Sand Tires Unlimited

Sand Skate II

Sand Tires Unlimited (Sand Skate II)
We didn't think we'd get to test these tires. Then we noticed our neighboring
campsite, and another Banshee. After investigating, we discovered the dude
had some Sand Tires Sand Skate 2s. He let us switch the tires to our test
Banshee. And it only cost us two beers, one for each tire. Only kidding!

The Sand Skate provided the closest competition to the ITP setup. They hit a
top speed of 41.5mph up the hill. And they did that in about 9.5 seconds. The
great thing about this tire is its huge v-shaped and cupped paddles. They run
at an angle along the tire, too. This setup was a blast to ride and versatile.
They were fast, offered excellent grip, and slidable - though it seemed to be a
bit choppy in turns. These tires really excelled at roosting sand. Our testers
said they thought they kept hearing a huge four-stroke quad chasin' them
because of the noise emitted from the tires throwing sand. The tires did seem
to want to dig in the sand more (rather than float) than the ITPs. However,
we liked the overall handling characteristics of the Sand Skate IIs.

Paddle Tire Notes
Heavy is always the enemy, but especially in unsprung weight, in rolling mass,
and in sand tires. Weight affects handling and robs power. Stiffness is also a
problem. It also affects handling as well as ridability. While too much sidewall
flex will cause the tire to lay over and become less precise, that isn't a factor
in the sand unless a tire is nearly flat.

Lower inflation can improve flotation and add traction. Higher pressure can
decrease traction allowing the tire to spin more. Too much paddle? Add air!

While the theory behind the angled paddle is that it is both smoother riding
and allows for better turning, reality doesn't seem to bear that out. Angled
paddles move less sand but at a more constant rate. That should translate to
better turning.

Smooth fronts probably work best because they are lighter, taller, and wider.
Few people ever talk about tire contact area, but again, long is better than
wide for several reasons. It smooths bumps and small irregularities, and is
able to withstand lateral force better - won't slide as easy!

When applied to the rear, tall means the paddle pushes sand longer. It also
keeps the gearing closer to stock.

The taller the paddle the more sand it will push - more traction. The fewer
number of paddles, the greater the amount of sand they each must push.
Fewer therefore means more traction. To a point of course. Although the taller
the tire, the fewer paddles could be run as they would stay in the sand longer.

A highly-inflated short paddle (with eleven paddles, 8psi, and on a 20 x 10-10)
offers less traction than a taller paddle (with seven paddles, 3psi, and on a 22
x 10-10).

We've heard stories of tires being run backward. This is a result of the tire
having too much traction for the power of the machine. We say roughly 90
percent of ATVs run with more traction than they should have. Doing so
diminishes performance, but it also makes the ATV easier to ride.

CONTACT:
ITP (909) 923-7753
Skat Trak (909) 795-2505
Kenda (614) 866-9803
Sand Tires Unlimited (909) 676-8199
Cheng Shin (800) 245-4118

Tire/Wheel Specs

Dunlop (stock)
19.5 lbs. (each)
15 lbs. (each)
21 x 7-10
20 x 10-9

ITP
16.25 lbs. (each)
18.75 lbs. (each)
23 x 8.5-12
23 x 10.5-12

Skat Trak (rears only)
The Edge 16.75 lbs. (each)
Hauler 15 lbs. (each)
20 x 10-10
20 x 10-10

Kenda
Dune Runner (front)15.5 lbs. (each)
Trakker (rear)22.5 lbs. (each)
22 x 8-10
20 x 12-10

Cheng Shin (rears only)
Dune Hopper II 20.5 lbs. (each)
Dune Slider 21.5 lbs. (each)
20 x 12-10
20 x 10-10

Sand Tires Unlimited (rears only)
Sand Skate 21.6 lbs. (each)
20 x 11-10

[Duneblazer]

awesome read! Nice find adn thanks for posting!

Some interesting comments made: "The straight paddles on the Haulers let you do power slides more easily"

[SHOWTIME]

Originally Posted by Duneblazer

Some interesting comments made: "The straight paddles on the Haulers let you do power slides more easily"

yea it sounds strange but is true.
i can slide and roost so much easier on
the haulers than i could with my Sand & Skate II's.
To me, the SSII's are way overrated. you can
buy GBC SandSharks at half the price and they
are totally identical.

[bansheeseat$$]

Thanks for the read show,Good stuff.

[SHOWTIME]

id love to get my hands on a set of
smooth buff fronts. i think it would
really cut down on the weight and
would probably handle amazing.

feel free to add your thoughs on
sand tires. id like this to be the ultimate
sand tire thread!

[bansheeseat$$]

I don't like the smooth fronts for anything but strait line racing,I tried to run the smoothies on some of my other shee's and they don't have the precision that I need when turning.I prefere the skat trac mohawks in the front on duner quads.

[Duneblazer]

hmm the paddles on the dunesliders dont look all that tall?? anyone run these?

"The great thing about this tire is its huge v-shaped and cupped paddles. They run
at an angle along the tire, too". ??? WTF? umm yea if they are v paddle they have to run at an angle

[Autophysn]

That was very interesting, especially since they told you from the begginning that Sand Tires unlimited was not willing to participate, and ended up giving them high remarks. To me, that says something about the testers. Honesty, well, but atleast they seem to be on the mark. After all, who is to say they ran the bike the same way every time and in the same spot, not to mention even the same spot will harden after time, creating a stiffer section to test on, meaning more traction, to more speed.

Very good article tho, I liked it alot. Seems like ITP's are the way to go

[Duneblazer]

yea the ITP 12in rim looks like a pretty trick set up! tall though!!!!

[SHOWTIME]

the only problem i see with the 12 rim is that
the distance from the top of the wheel to the
top of the tire is really small. not much squish
for traction.

i use the kenda dunerunner fronts which are
really nice. i hear good things about the mohawks
though...