dune riding

Edited Date/Time 4/8/2015 11:52am
I'm headed to Little Sahara in a couple weeks. What are some tips as I have never been to the dunes, I went to order a tire and it gave me the option of 8 or 10 paddles? Air pressure? stiffer suspenders id assume?
Thanks for the help
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4/7/2015 2:49pm
I used to go to Glamis a lot when I lived in Arizona. The more paddles you have the bigger motor you need. I'd crank my compression clickers all the way in on the forks and go a few clicks in the rear. This was on a 250 two stroke though and it depends on what your riding. Stiffer suspension especially in the front is important. Land wide open off all jumps cause your don't want your front end dropping, ever! Do you have to have a flag there? I know in Glamis its a big ticket if you don't have a flag on your bike.
peelout
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4/7/2015 3:00pm Edited Date/Time 4/7/2015 3:00pm
throw an 8 paddle and a flag on, pick up a 30 of PBR and you're set bro

The Shop

JW381
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4/7/2015 3:26pm Edited Date/Time 4/7/2015 3:26pm
NVM, saw you're on a 450.
bvm111
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4/7/2015 4:11pm
8 or 10 paddle with a 450, get the flag, and as said above land with the throttle on... if you dont you will pass the front of your bike almost instantly!!!!

oh yeah be prepared to have sand every where... I mean everywhere and in everywhere!!!!!

other than that... its a blast have fun and watch out for quads and buggies!!!
bigborefan
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4/7/2015 4:19pm
My advice, stay home unless it rains. Little Sahara is pretty awesome when it's wet. Nice whooped out trails all around the perimeter. Sand dunes in the middle. It's a fun place.
blusmbl
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4/7/2015 4:39pm
If this is your first time and you've never been to the dunes before, I don't know if I'd bother with buying a paddle tire. You can get along just fine on a conventional knobby as long as it isn't worn out. I've ridden a YZ250 and CR500 at the dunes without paddles, and I rode the 500 again with a 10 paddle. It makes a difference launching for sure but it is plenty of fun even without one.

Stay on the throttle all the time and keep your weight back.
Falcon
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4/7/2015 5:30pm
If you run a paddle, be prepared for it to rip your mud guard off the bottom of your fender. (Or, take it off and risk losing the seal on your shock.)
I always go about 8-9 PSI in the tires. Make sure to wipe the lube off your chain or sand will stick to it.
253
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4/7/2015 7:45pm
8 paddles max (6 for 250f or 125)
Take off your mud guard
Put duck tape directly on your shock spring ( to cover it - yes it will stay)
Stiffen your front and rear suspension
Always land on the gas
Never jump blind
Throw your filter away when you get home.
4/7/2015 8:58pm
Running one of those fine screen covers over your air filter helps as well.

And yes, still trash that air filter afterwards.
4/7/2015 9:05pm
ahh yes. take off the mud guard unless you want to buy a new one(when running a paddle). watch out for witches titties. ride over the rear wheel. i took a digger one of the first times i hit soft sand. enjoy. dunes are a cool experience!!
mtl
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4/7/2015 9:20pm
Can you run an mx11 in the loose dune sand? or does it have to be strictly a paddle tire?
4/7/2015 9:36pm
Dont run a knob of any type.

A true paddle with the style of your choice.

Nowadays there are hardpack paddles and paddles that let you carve turns like youre on rails.
blusmbl
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4/8/2015 4:12am
mtl wrote:
Can you run an mx11 in the loose dune sand? or does it have to be strictly a paddle tire?
Yes, I have on multiple occasions. It works fine. You won't be winning any drag races but it's still fun to ride sand without a paddle.
Markee
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4/8/2015 4:59am
Make sure your filter is sealed to the air box!
4/8/2015 7:44am
253 wrote:
8 paddles max (6 for 250f or 125) Take off your mud guard Put duck tape directly on your shock spring ( to cover it -...
8 paddles max (6 for 250f or 125)
Take off your mud guard
Put duck tape directly on your shock spring ( to cover it - yes it will stay)
Stiffen your front and rear suspension
Always land on the gas
Never jump blind
Throw your filter away when you get home.
I am going to little sahara this weekend and for my 18" rim i could only find an 8 paddle tire... I will be running it on a 2008 XCF 250 with a 300 big bore kit in it... I am going to be regretting this?

I will have a spare bike there if it doesnt work out.. In fact i will probably switch it up anyways, as the extra bike will be my brothers KTM xc 300 he just bought!!!

But i do hope to get some good riding in on my XCF...
Krazyk2774
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4/8/2015 8:00am
253 wrote:
8 paddles max (6 for 250f or 125) Take off your mud guard Put duck tape directly on your shock spring ( to cover it -...
8 paddles max (6 for 250f or 125)
Take off your mud guard
Put duck tape directly on your shock spring ( to cover it - yes it will stay)
Stiffen your front and rear suspension
Always land on the gas
Never jump blind
Throw your filter away when you get home.
I am going to little sahara this weekend and for my 18" rim i could only find an 8 paddle tire... I will be running it...
I am going to little sahara this weekend and for my 18" rim i could only find an 8 paddle tire... I will be running it on a 2008 XCF 250 with a 300 big bore kit in it... I am going to be regretting this?

I will have a spare bike there if it doesnt work out.. In fact i will probably switch it up anyways, as the extra bike will be my brothers KTM xc 300 he just bought!!!

But i do hope to get some good riding in on my XCF...
8 paddle will work fine. Most people that I have seen and ridden with were running 8
JW381
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4/8/2015 8:05am
Honestly, in my experiences, paddle, number of paddkes, knobbies, don't make that significant of a difference. Like someone else said, won't win any drag races with a knob, but it's still fun as hell once you get moving.
CR250Rider
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4/8/2015 10:10am
Here in moses lake I prefer an aggressive fresh knobby. Paddle tires dont stop worth a damn.
peelout
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4/8/2015 10:14am
JW381 wrote:
Honestly, in my experiences, paddle, number of paddkes, knobbies, don't make [i]that[/i] significant of a difference. Like someone else said, won't win any drag races with...
Honestly, in my experiences, paddle, number of paddkes, knobbies, don't make that significant of a difference. Like someone else said, won't win any drag races with a knob, but it's still fun as hell once you get moving.
JW381
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Harrisburg, OR US
4/8/2015 11:52am
JW381 wrote:
Honestly, in my experiences, paddle, number of paddkes, knobbies, don't make [i]that[/i] significant of a difference. Like someone else said, won't win any drag races with...
Honestly, in my experiences, paddle, number of paddkes, knobbies, don't make that significant of a difference. Like someone else said, won't win any drag races with a knob, but it's still fun as hell once you get moving.
peelout wrote:
You eat pieces of shit for breakfast?

...no!

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