[ranamuck]

I do plan on getting this machine, the only question is when. All of my riding is west of the Rockies with much of my riding being sand dunes. I see many UTV's with rear paddles and smoothies up front. So you guys mostly dune in 2WD? Why no put some light weight and smallish paddles up front and dune in 4WD?
I've never had a SXS but have had sand rails. It just seems 4WD would only help; unless it just sucks too much power. Perhaps the 4WD is for after a turbo install? I'll be buying paddle tiles and would like some feedback from SXS duners.
Thanks

 

[Hollywood]

If you are an experienced duner, you can dune in 2wd. It's more fun if you ask me, but most don't. Since you are new to dunes, I would stick to 4wd. Less chance of getting stuck and digging out. It still could happen, but definitely less chance.

Paddles on the front are a very bad idea. It will be way harder to turn, and you would get more drag, and you don't want more drag in sand. I recommend a 3 rib front smoothies, over a buffed front smoothie. The ribs give you a little bite in turns, where the buffs seem to push too much.

 

[Hollywood]

IMO, best paddle tires on the market are STU Blasters. 80/20 comp cut, with a #1 paddle. STU Rzr front smoothies too.

 

[ranamuck]

I plan to add a turbo very soon after purchase. That should affect paddle size. Height, number and stiffness of paddles. Selecting the proper paddles has always involved some guess work. Assuming 155-160HP, any recommendations on the proper paddles? I believe I will go with ribbed fronts. Too much paddle can actually slow you down. Selecting the proper paddle is critical.

 

[Hollywood]

I plan to add a turbo very soon after purchase. That should affect paddle size. Height, number and stiffness of paddles. Selecting the proper paddles has always involved some guess work. Assuming 155-160HP, any recommendations on the proper paddles? I believe I will go with ribbed fronts. Too much paddle can actually slow you down. Selecting the proper paddle is critical.

If you are going turbo, same tire, but #2 paddle. Little taller, definitely stiffer. Never bought into that too much paddle stuff. The paddle with the most floatation is what you want, and that is the STU. STU Blaster paddle tires have 16 paddles. I run them on my Wildcat, and I've never had a problem, and except for the Wall, I've climbed everything in Glamis. Proper air inflation and momentum has always been the key.

 

[Sandman365]

Front buffs work great in 4wd, a lot better than you would think. Float better, turn better, and pull up dunes better than stock knobbies.

 

[ranamuck]

Front buffs work great in 4wd, a lot better than you would think. Float better, turn better, and pull up dunes better than stock knobbies.

interesting. This seems counter intuitive. Front buffs in 4WD turn better than 2WD and pull hills better than front knobbies. Sand is strange stuff.

 

[Hollywood]

Front buffs work great in 4wd, a lot better than you would think. Float better, turn better, and pull up dunes better than stock knobbies.

Yeah, and a front ribbed smoothie work better than a front buff. Anything will be better than a stock knobby in the sand.

 

[Sandman365]

I have buddies that don't buy into it either, but after switching to buffs, I'm not going back. The ride is so much better IMO.

 

[Hollywood]

interesting. This seems counter intuitive. Front buffs in 4WD turn better than 2WD and pull hills better than front knobbies. Sand is strange stuff.

4wd will still pull whether you have a ribbed smoothie or a buff tire.

 

[Desertdog]

This car should do really well in the dunes in 2WD.

 

[sand shark]

Front buffs work great in 4wd, a lot better than you would think. Float better, turn better, and pull up dunes better than stock knobbies.

This is true!!!!

I would be running this car in 4wd as I like how they handle in 4wd better than in 2wd. To me they turn better because the front tires are grabbing and helping pull you through the turn.

 

[Factory UTV]

Front paddles will also throw a bunch of sand in the air you get to drive through. Smoothies work great.

 

[Desertdog]

This is true!!!!

I would be running this car in 4wd as I like how they handle in 4wd better than in 2wd. To me they turn better because the front tires are grabbing and helping pull you through the turn.

I agree but I think the drift potential of this car is going to be superior due to the tranny. You can select your gear, stay there and mash the throttle throwing monster roosts

 

[ranamuck]

Yeah Baby, positive gears. I love it.

 

[Will_Ride]

I think it's going to drive a lot more like a real sand car, than a traditional SxS. Can't wait do drive one!

 

[jajl22]

I run the tight small dunes and the slower technical sections in 4wd, because it is easier to make sharper turns and get up soft hills with out a big run and momentum.

Once i get out into the bigger sweeping bowls i switch to 2wd so i can flow and really get that back to start sliding around and having some fun.

Paddles up front will make the car ride rougher then a buff or rib tire especially at cruising speeds through camp and such when your not on the gas, it will also throw a lot of sand at you and into the air, not a huge deal in a 2 seat but really sucks for the passengers in a 4 seater.

The buffs will pull harder then your expecting them to in 4wd if you don't have sand experience, i know it doesn't seem all that logical but they do pull and they help float, a knobby just digs and sinks unless you have let the air down really low but then you get that wishy washy sidewall feel when you turn.

Any of the major sand tire brands will work fine, the lighter weight the tire and wheel combo the better performance but also the bigger $$$.

 

[ranamuck]

I've been riding dunes since about 1980. I have a 140HP turbo Raptor 724 now but I've never dunned a SxS or 4WD. This info is very helpful. Thanks Guys.

 

[Hollywood]

I've been riding dunes since about 1980. I have a 140HP turbo Raptor 724 now but I've never dunned a SxS or 4WD. This info is very helpful. Thanks Guys.

Totally different in a SXS, but a Hell of a lot of fun!

 

[s2k1]

We prefer to run SxSs in 4WD all the time. But I despise the operation of the Polaris Hilliard clutch front end. Looking forward to some fun seat time in the YXZ!