[Tmesic]

for the record I hadn't made my mind up prior to testing both. Actually it was in my best interest financially to stick to the STU's as I already spent a lot of money on 2 sets of fronts (1st purchase I was told the slightly smaller in diameter than the rear blasters were the best..Went to a comp cut tribute round 2 that still isn't tall enough IMO.) and comp cut #1 rears. I pointed out the few things that the STU's did better but as an overall package and for the value can't beat the extreme warlocks.

This was all done in glamis on my car and another car, but I really think in glamis the best overall tire for the X3 will end up being the warlock skat. Yes the machines new, but functionally (not aesthetically) it's not that different than my long travel higher HP Mav. Unless Fullerton comes out with a ground breaking new tire I think the the results will be the same.

If someone is conducting a test I sure hope they are testing the Extreme Warlock Skat, because we all know how normal Skats can vary in size and weight.

All MHO....Damm I can't wait till Halloween in glamis.

Yes I did blow a belt on day 4....I can't say the actual cause with certainty because day 1 and 2 were on the STU's. I do know that typically on previous trips day 2 was belt blow day....

My 26 inch Skat fronts were over 1.5 inches shorter and narrower than Socal mav's front 26 inch Skat tires. It was so much it was visually obvious they were different sizes even though they said the same thing on the sidewall.

Tim

 

[sand shark]

Wadmaster - I only asked about the blown belt because some think running Skats will somehow prevent it.

The lower temp gauge reading on belt temp can be deceiving as they are not as accurate as some may think. It is not going to tell you when the belt will let go. Depending on which one you have the reading is more of the air temp near the belt versus the actual temp. I had a long conversation with a desert race team about the temp gauge and why they don't run one. They did run one in the past.

When I finally broke a belt, I felt it slip and heard a pop noise and about 100 yards later it went bye bye.

 

[Tmesic]

Wadmaster - I only asked about the blown belt because some think running Skats will somehow prevent it.

The lower temp gauge reading on belt temp can be deceiving as they are not as accurate as some may think. It is not going to tell you when the belt will let go. Depending on which one you have the reading is more of the air temp near the belt versus the actual temp. I had a long conversation with a desert race team about the temp gauge and why they don't run one. They did run one in the past.

When I finally broke a belt, I felt it slip and heard a pop noise and about 100 yards later it went bye bye.

I find it hard to believe the Razorback gauge is not accurate. Tim

 

[Sandman_73]

I have had many sets of Skats on all my ATVs over the years but this would be the first SxS. My biggest concern is how do the paddles hold up on these heavy things with fairly steep toyhauler ramp angles? My hauler is axle under and sits pretty high.

 

[WADMASTER]

Wadmaster - I only asked about the blown belt because some think running Skats will somehow prevent it.

The lower temp gauge reading on belt temp can be deceiving as they are not as accurate as some may think. It is not going to tell you when the belt will let go. Depending on which one you have the reading is more of the air temp near the belt versus the actual temp. I had a long conversation with a desert race team about the temp gauge and why they don't run one. They did run one in the past.

When I finally broke a belt, I felt it slip and heard a pop noise and about 100 yards later it went bye bye.

I also don't think simply by going to skats will eliminate all belts blowing but lowering belt temps 15-20deg may be significant enough to get thru a few weekends without blowing one.. I think paddle tires in general add load in-turn increasing heat and shock load.

I have a buddy with a 4 seat RZR non-turbo that runs the sh**** out it sometimes with 4 people and he's over 1000 miles mostly dunes no broken belt. big horns aired down.....But they don't look cool :big smile:

I have the razorback and I feel its pretty accurate. I do agree the air temp type monitors are not very accurate.

I know my car well enough I've literally called it just before breaking within minutes. One of the biggest tell tails is the belts inability to recover to lower temps after reaching over the dreaded 200. a new belt will spike and come down quick...A belt on the verge wont come down quickly.

 

[sand shark]

I find it hard to believe the Razorback gauge is not accurate. Tim

This is information I was provided. The razorback is better than the others.

 

[sand shark]

I also don't think simply by going to skats will eliminate all belts blowing but lowering belt temps 15-20deg may be significant enough to get thru a few weekends without blowing one.. I think paddle tires in general add load in-turn increasing heat and shock load.

I have a buddy with a 4 seat RZR non-turbo that runs the sh**** out it sometimes with 4 people and he's over 1000 miles mostly dunes no broken belt. big horns aired down.....But they don't look cool :big smile:

I have the razorback and I feel its pretty accurate. I do agree the air temp type monitors are not very accurate.

I know my car well enough I've literally called it just before breaking within minutes. One of the biggest tell tails is the belts inability to recover to lower temps after reaching over the dreaded 200. a new belt will spike and come down quick...A belt on the verge wont come down quickly.

Good information.

 

[SoCalMav]

I had a long conversation with a desert race team about the temp gauge and why they don't run one. They did run one in the past.

Why don't they run a gauge anymore?

 

[Maverick4me2]

I had a long conversation with a desert race team about the temp gauge and why they don't run one. They did run one in the past.

Hopefully you are not taking about the S3 race team, cause we talked alot at the Sand Sport Super Show and they run the Razorback gauge and actually were meeting up with the owner Jordan to discuss some specifics. They said that the data provided by this gauge, which is extremly accurate, was very usefull in racing.

 

[sand jeep]

This is a thread about paddles for the X3 but it is like the others in that for some reason people get defensive about whatever they have chosen. They feel the need to not only defend their choice but belittle any other product. News flash I am not a Can Am guy, I am getting the X3 because I think it is the best SXS available right now. I chose a wildcat back in 2012 because it had new things to offer the industry. I do not care which forum you go to, YXZ, Polaris, Arctic Cat or even this forum why must every thing else be junk, right now the feeding frenzy are X3 belts, last year Yxz clutches, you guys get what I am saying. It seems stupid to not step back and have everyone laugh at what the forums are mostly about. I have never said to myself Tatum sand cars are junk why would some idiot buy that instead of a Larry Minor jeep. Now why they all want to race from a 35 mile per hour roll, that makes no sense, ha ha. Any way just an observation now that I am reading all I can on the forums about the X3, see you in the dunes, Kevin.

 

[sand shark]

Why don't they run a gauge anymore?

They did not feel it helped them save a belt or prevent a belt from breaking.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RazorbackTechnology]

I know my car well enough I've literally called it just before breaking within minutes. One of the biggest tell tails is the belts inability to recover to lower temps after reaching over the dreaded 200. a new belt will spike and come down quick...A belt on the verge wont come down quickly.

Nailed it. That's exactly what we see time and time again.

 

[Maverick4me2]

Nailed it. That's exactly what we see time and time again.

Yep, this is what I saw on my belt temps. Went back to camp and changed out before it detonated. Gauge told me I was on borrowed time....

 

[SoCalMav]

Hopefully I will get my 30x13 Skats this week and can try them at Glamis this weekend.

 

[oneshotkyle]

We hope so too. Wanna hear some feedback as I wait for mine

@ the dunes

 

[bajades]

What is the advantage of a front buffed or smoothie tire when paired with a rear paddle tire on the X3 when running in 4wd (versus running a stock front tire)?

 

[oneshotkyle]

What is the advantage of a front buffed or smoothie tire when paired with a rear paddle tire on the X3 when running in 4wd (versus running a stock front tire)?

Smooth buffed have more than enough traction when combined with rear paddles. Tires in the front need to be the same size or a tad taller to work well while during in 4wd

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[mgrotel]

Lighter weight and the buff will pack the sand down a little bit making it easier for the rear to grab.

 

[Megadesertdiesel]

Lighter weight and the buff will pack the sand down a little bit making it easier for the rear to grab.

X2

I have a buddy that runs 4 smoothies on his 4 seat artic cat and dunes everywhere with us. he just has issues when we change direction quickly and climb straight up things.

 

[Marlboroman]

I just got back from Gordon Wells (south of Glamis). I ran the following paddles today as a test.
1. Skat Trak 30*13*14 10 Paddle on a 14x9 Douglas Sector Bead lock 6BS+3 offset with full buff 30*13*14 on the same wheels, but in a 14*8 with 6BS+2.
2. GMZ Sand Stripper XL 30*15*15 10 paddle on GMZ Casino Bead Locks (15*10) with GMZ Tri Rib Strippers on Casino Bead Locks (15*8).
3. STU 28" Blasters #2 Cut on HiPer 14*10 5+5 and STU 28" Tri-Rib fronts on HiPer 14*8 4+4.

I tried many combos, air pressures, mixed and matched too. I'll do a write up in the next few days. But in my personal opinion, the STU's out performed the Skats. This weekend, I am trying out a STU 1300's in a few different cuts on 15" Wheels with STU desert traks single rib cut.. I'll let you know how that goes.