18'' tires and gearing.

[super90]

I run 14/38 gearing and currently have maxxis sur traks on and it just kills all the power. I ran them last year with stock gearing without much of a problem but now the gearing is higher so they have to go, and I like smaller tires on trikes. Im almost positive its the extra tread and weight that is robbing all my power because I had 15/38 gearing with 20s and it was perfect, and that would be the same as 22s with 14/38. So im looking at some 18'' kenda klaw MX tires that I can get for a decent price. I think these would air up to almost 20'' and be about the same as my old 20'' tires I use to have. The sur traks now only air up to 20'' and they seem huge on there now. I dont ride any terribly rocky trails or anywhere that I could smash the sprocket on so thats not a worry. Would these tires be about the same as 20'' tires with low psi? I never owned any 18s and I dont want to loose a ton of top speed. But im willing to sacrifice it for some more power and accelleration. I really dont know much about running 18s on a trike? Any input before I order some would help. Thanks

[Aka_am]

I'll be watching this thread!

[The Goat]

i'll be putting some 18s on mine tomorrow, with the stock gearing for a little while, until we rip the engine apart in the afternoon. i'll let you know what its like with 13/14 and then 14/36-7

[super90]

Well I just measured my surtraks, they are only 18'' tall with 5 psi! If 18s truely measure 18'' or just a tad smaller I think it would work perfectly. If anyone can measure any 18'' tire and just give me a general size it would be appreciated. BTW I will be ordering either 18'' kenda klaws or 20'' knarlys tomorrow.

[The Goat]

i ordered a set of duro sport 18s. i actually didn't lose any top speed. it went 53 with 22s and it went 53 with 18s. what is odd is that i noticed quite a bit more torque. the tires inflated measure exactly 18 inches.

[super90]

Well I just ordered some 18x10.5x8 klaws with ITP steel rims. It was a good deal at 122.98 and free shipping. I wanted to get the rims too so if i dont like that I can just switch surtraks back on. Ill update when I get them on next week some time.

[super90]

I just got them today and put them on and their great! It was snowing outside so I took it for a rip around the yard and first thing I noticed was how much harder it would pull in every gear. Tons more power from when I had my 22s on it, but it still has very good traction. I did loose a significant amount of top speed though but I think it was well worth it. Well theres my update.

http://i8.tinypic.com/8awej9j.jpg

[scooterroo]

i got 18 inch fast trekkers, and they measure 18.25 from the ground to the top of the knobbies.

[trainingwheeler]

Well I just ordered some 18x10.5x8 klaws with ITP steel rims. It was a good deal at 122.98 and free shipping. I wanted to get the rims too so if i dont like that I can just switch surtraks back on. Ill update when I get them on next week some time.

where did you order the rims/tires from?

[deathman53]

I used 14/36 with 18's on my 200x, it pulled them fine, 2nd gear starts all the time. Now that it has a 12:1 piston and more engine work, it should light those up in 3rd gear starts.

[super90]

I ordered them from rockymountain atv. 8'' ITP wheels and 18x10.5x8 kenda klaws. total came to 122.00 with free shipping.