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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.
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.
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
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Last edited by multihdrdr; Apr 24, 2017 at 04:14 PM.
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.
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.
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