2009 Sportster 1200 front wheel
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Joined: May 2016
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From: Stuart, FL
2009 Sportster 1200 front wheel
Hello
I just bought a 2009 HD Sportster 1200 custom. 21" front wheel. Very happy to be riding it. I came from an Indian Scout. The Scout had a shorter, fatter front wheel, 16", 130/90. The tire on the sportster is the original Dunlop (HD branded) MH90-21 (12k miles).
The turning on the Scout was very forgiving, though, almost plodding. The Sporty is very different. Nimble...which I like....but...at first, it almost felt as though the wheel wanted to go over on its own. Not a big deal...but....
I have toyed with the idea of putting a 19" wheel on (100/90?). The front tire would be only 3/4" inch or so less in diameter, but wider. Would this change this steering characteristic to a significant extent?
Alternatively, I would replace the current tire with a Metzeler 888 90/90-21. So, a little bit wider (a tiny bit taller, though). Would that change this characteristic? Would there be a significant different in handling between a 100/90-19 and a 90/90-21?
My first post, so please forgive any ignorance...I have tried to search this, but opinions vary.
Thanks
John
I just bought a 2009 HD Sportster 1200 custom. 21" front wheel. Very happy to be riding it. I came from an Indian Scout. The Scout had a shorter, fatter front wheel, 16", 130/90. The tire on the sportster is the original Dunlop (HD branded) MH90-21 (12k miles).
The turning on the Scout was very forgiving, though, almost plodding. The Sporty is very different. Nimble...which I like....but...at first, it almost felt as though the wheel wanted to go over on its own. Not a big deal...but....
I have toyed with the idea of putting a 19" wheel on (100/90?). The front tire would be only 3/4" inch or so less in diameter, but wider. Would this change this steering characteristic to a significant extent?
Alternatively, I would replace the current tire with a Metzeler 888 90/90-21. So, a little bit wider (a tiny bit taller, though). Would that change this characteristic? Would there be a significant different in handling between a 100/90-19 and a 90/90-21?
My first post, so please forgive any ignorance...I have tried to search this, but opinions vary.
Thanks
John
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From: Baltimore, MD
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From: Philly PA
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From: North Central Massachusetts
Good to know. I have an '05 and it's my second biggest issue with the bike.
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From: Baltimore, MD
While inexpensive Shinkos are very grippy and completely oblivious to road imperfections. I like them a lot.
With good tires, the limiting factor in the bike handling are the suspensions an I became even more painfully aware of how poor my stock set up was. I upgraded the front with to Race Tech springs and gold valve emulators and the back with Bitubo shocks. It is about 1k$ in total but stopped me from buying a new bike...
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Joined: May 2016
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From: Stuart, FL
Thank you everyone, for these great posts. Very helpful information.
The least expensive way to go would be to just put on new rubber. I need to do that anyway. I do not have a lot of confidence in tires that may be 9 years old (12k on the bike, these could be original...I have no way of knowing).
Still interested in knowing if there is a significant difference between a 21" front and a 19". Has anyone ridden both?
Might be a good idea to keep the bike stock, so keep the front wheel. As I wrote, it is really not a problem, I have over 1000 miles on the bike, I ride almost every day. Newly retired, so, more time than money.
Thank you.
John
The least expensive way to go would be to just put on new rubber. I need to do that anyway. I do not have a lot of confidence in tires that may be 9 years old (12k on the bike, these could be original...I have no way of knowing).
Still interested in knowing if there is a significant difference between a 21" front and a 19". Has anyone ridden both?
Might be a good idea to keep the bike stock, so keep the front wheel. As I wrote, it is really not a problem, I have over 1000 miles on the bike, I ride almost every day. Newly retired, so, more time than money.
Thank you.
John
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Joined: Feb 2018
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From: west coast
Thank you everyone, for these great posts. Very helpful information.
The least expensive way to go would be to just put on new rubber. I need to do that anyway. I do not have a lot of confidence in tires that may be 9 years old (12k on the bike, these could be original...I have no way of knowing).
Still interested in knowing if there is a significant difference between a 21" front and a 19". Has anyone ridden both?
Might be a good idea to keep the bike stock, so keep the front wheel. As I wrote, it is really not a problem, I have over 1000 miles on the bike, I ride almost every day. Newly retired, so, more time than money.
Thank you.
John
The least expensive way to go would be to just put on new rubber. I need to do that anyway. I do not have a lot of confidence in tires that may be 9 years old (12k on the bike, these could be original...I have no way of knowing).
Still interested in knowing if there is a significant difference between a 21" front and a 19". Has anyone ridden both?
Might be a good idea to keep the bike stock, so keep the front wheel. As I wrote, it is really not a problem, I have over 1000 miles on the bike, I ride almost every day. Newly retired, so, more time than money.
Thank you.
John
https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/...-of-your-tires
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Joined: May 2022
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From: Alabama
bump for any info on which setup you went with? im trying to figure out a smaller wider options for my 1200xlc i really want the 48/nightster front wheel but not sure if it will work with stock forks, thank you
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