Big wheel stretched bagger question.
Oh geezus, here we go again. I've been building customs since the mid 70s. I've built long bikes (still a favorite), bobbers, cafe style bikes, fat tire chops, and big tire baggers. None of them will handle worth crap if you don't have the geometry correct, or try to cut corners. All of them will ride and handle just fine if they're done right.
A 26" big wheel bagger will ride and handle better than a stock bike, as long as it's built right. I don't have any hands-on with a 30" or larger bike yet, but there's no reason why they wouldn't ride perfectly well. The larger wheel/tire combos don't have the forgiveness of a tire with a taller sidewall, but you can compensate for that with suspension upgrades.
I had air ride on my bike, but prefer the handling of my Progressive shocks and monotube front suspension. These bikes can track like they're on rails. Keep your bag extension reasonable, raise the suspension a little while you're riding, and install bag bottom protectors. It's all good.
Don't like big wheel baggers? Don't buy one. Frankly, I like all bikes, and would have a dozen of them in my garage if I could. A lot of folks predicted the demise of big wheel baggers years ago. They're still around for the simple reason that they are fun to ride.
A 26" big wheel bagger will ride and handle better than a stock bike, as long as it's built right. I don't have any hands-on with a 30" or larger bike yet, but there's no reason why they wouldn't ride perfectly well. The larger wheel/tire combos don't have the forgiveness of a tire with a taller sidewall, but you can compensate for that with suspension upgrades.
I had air ride on my bike, but prefer the handling of my Progressive shocks and monotube front suspension. These bikes can track like they're on rails. Keep your bag extension reasonable, raise the suspension a little while you're riding, and install bag bottom protectors. It's all good.
Don't like big wheel baggers? Don't buy one. Frankly, I like all bikes, and would have a dozen of them in my garage if I could. A lot of folks predicted the demise of big wheel baggers years ago. They're still around for the simple reason that they are fun to ride.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: North Dakota
On our last Beartooth / Yellowstone trip we had 4 big wheels in a group pass us. We were on I94 doing 80 and they blew by us - 95? 100? Caught up with them that night at Cooke city, they made it over Beartooth without any problems...
Those bikes are aired out, lay frame builds. They are designed to sit on the frame rails with the suspension aired all the way out. No different than a street rod on air bags. They slam them for the fairgrounds, or photos. The donk earlier in the thread was done specifically to push boundaries.
Last edited by Mike; Jun 19, 2017 at 08:07 PM.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
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From: .....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,483
Likes: 4,958
From: North Dakota
Hell, I thought that when they put the first fairing on a bike...
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: NC
I think they look good when done right.. I was going to do a 26 on the glide but I rode long distance trips and not many shops keep a 26 inch tire in stock. that was the only thing that kept me away.
Your buddy will be fine as long as he keeps the air ride raised up. guy I ride with has one and he has no problem
Your buddy will be fine as long as he keeps the air ride raised up. guy I ride with has one and he has no problem
