Master The Blaster - 2 Wheels Is The Deal

The question - I really love my Blaster but I need more stability on turns, Do you have ideas of how I could keep my Blaster on four wheels. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Can you tell me about adding wheel spacers to the rear and what you think about it.

The response - Go Here. http://www.blastercentral.com - Twenty inch tires with offset rims are best. Wheel spacers are a pain, and like to come off, making the rear wheel pass you. :)

YFS200

I knew that SLOWING DOWN wasn't an option... In many cases lowering the center of gravity by lowering the vehicle works wonders, but there are trade offs. Spring rates may have to be increased. Look at the flat track racers - see what they use to stay flat while cornering. Sometimes increased bump-steer is a problem when widening the front too far. Lower the front of the vehicle by raising the front shock upper mount and use an adjustable link (or shorter shock) in the swingarm linkage to lower the rear. Additionally, anti-sway bars add much to lateral support.

Rick

Hold on there, Rick. This is a Blaster, not a 250R. Good advice, if he was racing flat track. Something simpler is needed. The problem with Blaster's (can also be there strong point) is the short wheel base. But let's just talk width. The 40.7 inches to be exact. This is not vary wide and can lead to bicycling.

Like you said, lowering the center of gravity will help, but that's going to limit the already too small 7.1" of suspension travel. Jumping is out. The other (and more often used) way is to make it wider. As you know, wider axle and a-arms are the best way to do this. Also the most expensive($400 axle, $600 a-arms).

The cheaper and more often done, way is by changing the rear rims to 1" offset out (All Douglas rims for a Blaster are offset 1"). Mine are like that and I have had no problems. The stock front rims are offset 1.5" in. A lot of people switch them around to face 1.5" out. A lot more stress on parts, but helps greatly. I also have them like that on mine(not by choice), but with the rocks, bump steer is a problem. (I am going to switch back.)

Banshee owners are lucky. They don't get stuck with the inner tubes Yamaha installs on the Blasters. These rear tires are notorious for there bad.... everything. It gets worse when they are warn. They spin easily, but hook up real well when sliding. Not good. 20" (or even 18") tires on the rear are a great improvement.

I did an experiment a few months ago. With a stock 95 Blaster (with stock tires, warn) I was able to bicycle with a quick turn of the bars and a little leaning. On the same day, same spot. I tried mine. (Bandits with offset rims, it's also taller) I was able to get it on two wheels once, but only after extreme leaning and throwing by body weight to one side.

YFS200

It is possible to lower the whole quad and still be able to have suspension travel enough for some jumps. Though like I said there is always a trade off. I didn't know how serious this guy was about staying flat. On the Blaster if you lower the whole bike 2", will the frame contact he ground under full compression? Two inches would do a lot for stability. One inch would be very beneficial as well.

Anti-sway bars do a lot to prevent the transfer of the vehicles weight to the high side. With one installed during a turn the anti-sway bar will force the opposite side of the vehicle down to keep it in contact with the ground. These bars come in various tensions. Though I don't know if they even make them for the Blaster. I used to flat track my TRX and found it a huge advantage. I didn't get a stiff one either, it was just enough to do the trick though. I could keep it on while trail riding and have greatly increased cornering, I also duned with it on sometimes and though found it to add nothing there, it did not hurt anything or break either.

Like you said widening the vehicle with offset wheels and adding shorted tires will do what you need and probably is the cheapest way to go.

Rick

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