A quick edit of a little session of playing around the farm.

Great video!

Cool video! Post more...!!!

This is probably the wrong spot for this question (and forgive me if it was already asked but my weak search did not come up with much) but I am going to ask it anyways so forgive me in advance:

What were your impressions going from the stock length landing gear to the extended gear (looks like 6+" extension?)

Did it change how she handles at slow speeds and landing attitudes (eg: ground handling characteristics)?

Even with smaller tires, I expect you lost some cruise since they are not covered (mine are not covered either and imagine it is a big source of drag). Any anecdotal speed differences noted?

I am really just curious. The gear looks awesome and imagine it opens up some more opportunities for rough strips!

Awesome!

motosix wrote:This is probably the wrong spot for this question (and forgive me if it was already asked but my weak search did not come up with much) but I am going to ask it anyways so forgive me in advance:

What were your impressions going from the stock length landing gear to the extended gear (looks like 6+" extension?)

Did it change how she handles at slow speeds and landing attitudes (eg: ground handling characteristics)?

Even with smaller tires, I expect you lost some cruise since they are not covered (mine are not covered either and imagine it is a big source of drag). Any anecdotal speed differences noted?

I am really just curious. The gear looks awesome and imagine it opens up some more opportunities for rough strips!

Motosix:

My first impression is that it gives the airplane a huge boost the testicular department. Read: AOA and strength. The stock gear is made for asphalt and smooth grass strips. It will handle some rough stuff, but the extended HD gear is much beefier. It is bigger tubing and gussets, and just built better. I went from 26" Goodyears to 29" AKB Airstreaks. There is no comparison in landing shock absorbtion. I equivilate it to going from a covered wagon to a Cadillac. As cheesy as that sounds, its true.

As far as handling, with the increase in AOA, I can no longer see over the nose in three point. But i have found that its no big deal beacuse the forward visibility is so damn good anyway. Another advantage to being on bushwheels is they are very forgiving if you are a little out of whack on landing. But it does feel slightly more squirrely on aspahlt. I have heard that the Savage is more squirrely than an S7, but I have nothing to compare it to. This is the only tailwheel I have taken off and landed. It feels more short coupled with the bigger gear and tires to answer your question.

Takeoff roll is about the same (maybe a little longer because of the bushwheels), but I feel I can land it shorter because I can get slower in ground effect without hitting the tail. I don't have any hard numbers but it feels slower and shorter.

Cruise- I've lost about 5 mph. If i'm going somewhere I plan for 80 kts or 92 mph.

Would I do it again? Hell yes. I found the gear used (takeoff for amphib float) from the dealer. But if i couldn't find a set of gear legs I would be hesitent to put a set of 29's on it. The stock gear is just too chincy. The factory Marc Ingenio wheels and brakes are Ok for 8.00's but to light duty for anything much bigger than 8.50's. I went with Matco for the upgrade. George Happ is great to work with and he makes great products. Plus its all made here in the USA.

Crzyivan13 wrote:

motosix wrote:This is probably the wrong spot for this question (and forgive me if it was already asked but my weak search did not come up with much) but I am going to ask it anyways so forgive me in advance:

What were your impressions going from the stock length landing gear to the extended gear (looks like 6+" extension?)

Did it change how she handles at slow speeds and landing attitudes (eg: ground handling characteristics)?

Even with smaller tires, I expect you lost some cruise since they are not covered (mine are not covered either and imagine it is a big source of drag). Any anecdotal speed differences noted?

I am really just curious. The gear looks awesome and imagine it opens up some more opportunities for rough strips!

Motosix:

My first impression is that it gives the airplane a huge boost the testicular department. Read: AOA and strength. The stock gear is made for asphalt and smooth grass strips. It will handle some rough stuff, but the extended HD gear is much beefier. It is bigger tubing and gussets, and just built better. I went from 26" Goodyears to 29" AKB Airstreaks. There is no comparison in landing shock absorbtion. I equivilate it to going from a covered wagon to a Cadillac. As cheesy as that sounds, its true.

As far as handling, with the increase in AOA, I can no longer see over the nose in three point. But i have found that its no big deal beacuse the forward visibility is so damn good anyway. Another advantage to being on bushwheels is they are very forgiving if you are a little out of whack on landing. But it does feel slightly more squirrely on aspahlt. I have heard that the Savage is more squirrely than an S7, but I have nothing to compare it to. This is the only tailwheel I have taken off and landed. It feels more short coupled with the bigger gear and tires to answer your question.

Takeoff roll is about the same (maybe a little longer because of the bushwheels), but I feel I can land it shorter because I can get slower in ground effect without hitting the tail. I don't have any hard numbers but it feels slower and shorter.

Cruise- I've lost about 5 mph. If i'm going somewhere I plan for 80 kts or 92 mph.

Would I do it again? Hell yes. I found the gear used (takeoff for amphib float) from the dealer. But if i couldn't find a set of gear legs I would be hesitent to put a set of 29's on it. The stock gear is just too chincy. The factory Marc Ingenio wheels and brakes are Ok for 8.00's but to light duty for anything much bigger than 8.50's. I went with Matco for the upgrade. George Happ is great to work with and he makes great products. Plus its all made here in the USA.

Thanks for the info -- the detail is much appreciated!