Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Pros & Cons Of Same Size Wheel Front & Rear?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 22, 2017 | 12:04 PM
  #11  
WightDiamond's Avatar
WightDiamond
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 90
Likes: 10
From: Isle Of Wight
Default

Originally Posted by halfmt1
"Here's my ride pictured today:"

What is the name of that color? That's really nice.
Thanks. I have no idea, TBH. I checked the book and it just says "blue". It's a turquoise blue.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2017 | 03:19 PM
  #12  
Bowhunter8607's Avatar
Bowhunter8607
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,851
Likes: 420
From: Santa Fe NM
Default

Originally Posted by 81rat
In my thought's --- that Sportster is to good looking to change to a fat tire
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2017 | 03:57 PM
  #13  
NORTY FLATZ's Avatar
NORTY FLATZ
Seasoned HDF Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Liked
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,967
Likes: 7,068
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Default

Originally Posted by LoneWoolf
More practice, less modification.

1. Virtually every solution to one issue has a negative impact on some other aspect of function/handling.

2. Nothing is perfect, everything is a trade-off.

Tight turns and slow speed maneuvers require lots of practice, there is no magical solution that doesn't effect some other aspect of handling at higher speed. Enjoy a fantastic motorcycle, and ride safe.
In other words~ leave it alone and learn to ride your motorcycle with what it has stock. Once people start getting into things they shouldn't, issues appear.

Motorcycle geometry is a very complex thing. Just ask any suspension expert.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2017 | 04:41 PM
  #14  
WightDiamond's Avatar
WightDiamond
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 90
Likes: 10
From: Isle Of Wight
Default

Originally Posted by NORTY FLATZ
In other words~ leave it alone and learn to ride your motorcycle with what it has stock. Once people start getting into things they shouldn't, issues appear.

Motorcycle geometry is a very complex thing. Just ask any suspension expert.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...l#post16163202
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2017 | 09:09 PM
  #15  
drinktothat421's Avatar
drinktothat421
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 73
From: california
Default

The 48 have a 130 front wheel turns feel no differnt the. When i had my 600 street bike.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2017 | 09:10 PM
  #16  
drinktothat421's Avatar
drinktothat421
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 73
From: california
Default

However a wider tire does have a larger leanig contact patch
 
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2017 | 04:06 PM
  #17  
multihdrdr's Avatar
multihdrdr
Club Member
10 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
Likes: 2,483
From: Nor Cal
Default

Originally Posted by WightDiamond
I currently have the large diameter thin standard front wheel on my XL883C. I've noticed a tendency for the handling to be slightly heavy in U-turns and walking pace manoeuvres. A friend has the same bike and said the "problem" is rectified by putting the same size wheel and tyre on the front that's on the back.

What's the experience of those who may have done this, please?

Without yet measuring, does that require a change of forks or just a straight swap into the existing ones?
Geometry wise, putting a smaller Overall diameter wheel/tire (which virtually they all are since you have a 21" front wheel and such as you say your friend did) WITHOUT making any other changes would reduce your Rake and Trail and "lighten" your steering

.
 

Last edited by multihdrdr; Apr 24, 2017 at 04:14 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2017 | 04:16 PM
  #18  
WightDiamond's Avatar
WightDiamond
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 90
Likes: 10
From: Isle Of Wight
Default

Originally Posted by multihdrdr
Geometry wise, putting a smaller Overall diameter wheel/tire (which virtually they all are since you have a 21" front wheel and such as you say your friend did) WITHOUT making any other changes would reduce your Rake and Trail and "lighten" your steering

.
Yep. And I think that's pretty much what he's reporting. I spent some time on her at the weekend and I'm comfortable with the handling so she'll stay with the larger front wheel for the foreseeable. Thanks for the replies though all.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 25, 2017 | 04:50 AM
  #19  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Default

Using a smaller wheel will only change the ride height up front by around 1/2", which isn't going to throw the geometry very much at all. A 21" tyre is narrow and has a longer but narrower contact patch than a slightly smaller fatter tyre, so is likely to 'feel' different while riding. Harley has decades of experience in manufacturing bikes with various diameter front wheels and nothing discussed here falls outside that range.
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2019 | 05:40 AM
  #20  
Ndnsales Dakota's Avatar
Ndnsales Dakota
Stage I
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Default Custom 883 with wider front tire


I agree with the wider front tire too. But getting used to the turning on the bike would be easier.
But this look (from youtube video) is awesome
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:40 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE