Wheels Upgrade - Handling Compromised, Help and Advice Needed
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 243
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Wheels Upgrade - Handling Compromised, Help and Advice Needed
Howdy All,
Early last year, I've upgraded my original wheels on Street Bob (2008) to a set of Ride Wright Fat 50.
The front wheels is 21 x 2.25 while the rear is 18 x 5.5. I am currently running very popular metzler mez2 tires.
Just came back from a 1500 km ride (over 3 days with lots of corners) and overall the handling has been compromised.
What I've noticed is how 'reluctant" the bike is to turn into the corner. Gone is a feeling of grip and security.
While I was running the original tires and wheels combo, I could lean the bike way over and still have a feeling of grip and confidence. The bike turned in quite easily and kept line through the corner.
Since the upgrade, I feel that the bike is very reluctant on turn in. When trying to "tighten" the line mid-corner, the bike seems to be "fighting" me all the way to apex. When leaned over in the corner, the bike no longer inspires any confidence. Also gone is a feedback I used to get from the front end.
So the bottom line is - did I severely compromise handling by changing to Ride Wright Fat 50 wheels and more so my selecting a 21 x 2.25" front wheel?
Any experience/opinions/recommendations are most welcome!
Cheers
Vlad
Early last year, I've upgraded my original wheels on Street Bob (2008) to a set of Ride Wright Fat 50.
The front wheels is 21 x 2.25 while the rear is 18 x 5.5. I am currently running very popular metzler mez2 tires.
Just came back from a 1500 km ride (over 3 days with lots of corners) and overall the handling has been compromised.
What I've noticed is how 'reluctant" the bike is to turn into the corner. Gone is a feeling of grip and security.
While I was running the original tires and wheels combo, I could lean the bike way over and still have a feeling of grip and confidence. The bike turned in quite easily and kept line through the corner.
Since the upgrade, I feel that the bike is very reluctant on turn in. When trying to "tighten" the line mid-corner, the bike seems to be "fighting" me all the way to apex. When leaned over in the corner, the bike no longer inspires any confidence. Also gone is a feedback I used to get from the front end.
So the bottom line is - did I severely compromise handling by changing to Ride Wright Fat 50 wheels and more so my selecting a 21 x 2.25" front wheel?
Any experience/opinions/recommendations are most welcome!
Cheers
Vlad
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
you raised the front end. It rakes the forks out more and changes the feel overall. The bike will still handle just fine, yet, not feel as easy to lean into corners and such as your experiencing. Just get used to it or change the bike back to your old wheels. You could lower the front but this will compromise suspension travel.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
you raised the front end. It rakes the forks out more and changes the feel overall. The bike will still handle just fine, yet, not feel as easy to lean into corners and such as your experiencing. Just get used to it or change the bike back to your old wheels. You could lower the front but this will compromise suspension travel.
A skinnier tire would be more likely the cause of the feeling, and possibly the tire itself, not familiar with that particular tire.
I would spend some time making sure the front wheel is installed properly, correct spacers, fall-away, and proper spring in the forks. Check balance and trueness as well.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 560
Likes: 10
From: Livermore, CA
Three factors or the 21 inch wheel are degrading your handling. The biggest factor is it's weight. I was at a local Indy shop and saw a fat 50 x 21 inch wheel on display, I went to pick it up and it didn't move from it's mount. My first thought was that it was bolted down, it wasn't. I really had to grab onto it to lift it. If a stock front 19 without a tire weighs around 20 lbs, the fat 50 was easily 50 lbs. The second factor is where the weight is located and going to a 21 moves the weight outward which creates more of a gyroscope effect. The third factor is what Rounder pointed out, you have raised your front end changing your rake. You can reduce the size effect on you rake by sliding you fork tubes up lowering the front end of your bike, this will help. The weight issue is a tough one, in car racing they are concerned with a couple of pounds of wheel weight (unsprung weight). The weight of a wheel needs to be controlled by the compression damping and spring rate of your suspension or the wheel is being kicked off the pavement by every bump. You added a lot of weight so you need to add compression (thicker fork oil) and possibly stiffer springs.
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