I'm considering replacing the stock factory wheel on my '14 Limited. This is purely for aesthetic reasons; I have a chrome front end & I want a fully chromed wheel.

Is there any advantage in going to an 18" or 19" wheel over the stock 17" size? My thoughts are the 17" tire will have a higher profile sidewall & be a softer ride. Is that true? I'm assuming the tire for larger rims will have a stiffer, lower profile sidewall which would ride a little harsher but maybe handle a little better? I don't what to change the bike geometry at all. Would there be enough of a difference to notice anything other than looks? The rear wheel will remain stock.

I've only looked at HD rims so far - such as the chrome Aggressor, Agitator, Enforcer (19" rims), the Anarchy (18"), & the Slicer & the Impeller (17"). The Impeller is the chrome version of the stock contrast chrome wheel.

Thanks....

 

Ride and handling will be very close from the 17 to 19 but might be noticeable on the 21. I have switched from the 17 to the 19 and noticed nothing.

 

I went from the 17 to the 19 and could only make 2 observations. With the 19 the turn in became more pronounced and I find it easier to turn especially low speed. In that I find that handling improved.

As for the con I do notice poor road surfaces a bit more compared to the 17.

I am happy with my 19 and bike looks much better.

 

I went from the stock 19" Enforcer on my 2016 FLHXS to the 17" Impeller Chrome Contrast. The reason I did it was due to the harshness of the ride with the 19" low profile tire. I found a reasonable difference in ride quality and am happier with the 17" change. Steering response with the 19" was a tad more responsive, but less important to me over the ride quality.

 

I swapped the stock front wheel on my 16 ultra with a 19" enforcer from a street glide and noticed no difference in handling whatsoever. Front end was rough before and after, but my roads aren't the greatest. I was concerned as well but honestly I just didn't notice the improved turning or any harshness that some get. Each persons road quality must be a factor with those symptoms. Good luck with your decision.

 

Check load ratings on your tire selections, stock 17" vs the others listed. NOT saying it cant be done but there has to be a reason why... HD never offered the Limited with a 19" wheel.

Also, you will notice the road a little more with lower profile sidewall.
Jace

 

They offer them as accessories though. I am confident they went with the smaller wheel to allow more sidewall and a plusher ride. The SG is essentially the same bike without the pizza box and it has no issues.

 

Just want to provide the OP with information needed to make a safe educated decision as what he asked.

Obviously Limited's weigh a little more with options than Streetglides. A quick look at front dunlop tires reveals that going from a 17" to a 19" is 72 lbs less than stock (speed means nothing just looking at the Load Index)

Stock
17" 130/80B17 65H TL D408F (HARLEY-D) 627504
Load rating 639 lbs / speed 130 mph

Options
18" 130/70R18 63V TL D408F (HARLEY-D) 627567
Load rating 600 lbs / speed 149 mph
19" 130/60B19 61H TL D408F (HARLEY-D) 630042
Load rating 567 lbs speed 130 mph


No doubt that it can be done, see it all the time. I run a 21" on a '16 SGS having a large tourpak with all Limited options plus additional upgraded stereo equipment in the fairing. However my tire selection of 120/70/21 is a 68H (694 lbs) which is rated at 127 lbs. more load rating than the stock 19".

Jace

 

you could also look at getting your stock wheel chromed out using one vendors that does an exchange. this would give you both front and back chromed out, not that you can see the back much, at less than a front wheel from HD. Unless you really want a bigger wheel up front.

 

I changed the 19" on my SG to a 17" in hopes of improving the ride. It helped some but not as much as I was expecting or hoping for.