21 inch rims
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
I ran a 21 on my Road King for a while. I even lowered the forks 1 1/4 inches to level the bike. 21's work fine. All you need to concern yourself with is tire to fender clearance.
PLEASE....... PLEASE..... do not let ANYONE tell you its a direct bolt on. For many people it is, for a few, there can be fender to tire clearance issues. Especially if your tire accidentally runs low on air. Just do yourself a favor when you bolt the 21 on... check clearance. Tape something small to the tire and make sure it spins through. Its simply the smart thing to do. Just because one guy didn't have an issue, doesn't mean you won't. Be smart and check it before you blow down the hyway at 90 mph, and bubble the paint on your front fender. In most cases with issues, you can just drill the rear mounting holes out, raise up the fender and retighten it. That's all it takes.
On a side note, ALL the 2014 and newer bikes require a fender spacer, while only a small percentage of the 2013 down bikes require anything.
PLEASE....... PLEASE..... do not let ANYONE tell you its a direct bolt on. For many people it is, for a few, there can be fender to tire clearance issues. Especially if your tire accidentally runs low on air. Just do yourself a favor when you bolt the 21 on... check clearance. Tape something small to the tire and make sure it spins through. Its simply the smart thing to do. Just because one guy didn't have an issue, doesn't mean you won't. Be smart and check it before you blow down the hyway at 90 mph, and bubble the paint on your front fender. In most cases with issues, you can just drill the rear mounting holes out, raise up the fender and retighten it. That's all it takes.
On a side note, ALL the 2014 and newer bikes require a fender spacer, while only a small percentage of the 2013 down bikes require anything.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 939
Likes: 9
From: WA
Adding the 21 raised my bike a little over an inch. The progressive lowering springs took it close to stock again. I didn't notice a change in ride much worth noting. On the newer bikes going from 19 to 21 isn't that much of a difference.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 221
Likes: 174
From: Edgewater, FL.
Adding a 21" to the front makes almost no ride difference. It does raise the front 1". I would spend your 944 money on some 1" shorter front Monotubes and reduce the front back down before I would lower the rear.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,356
Likes: 887
From: san diego
What width are you talking.
I went 21x3.5 and it rides great. didnt lower either.
Skinny 21s especially with bad tire selection track road snakes and grooves, also feel a little floppy on turn in.
A wide front rim with good tire selection rides smooth as silk
I went 21x3.5 and it rides great. didnt lower either.
Skinny 21s especially with bad tire selection track road snakes and grooves, also feel a little floppy on turn in.
A wide front rim with good tire selection rides smooth as silk
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,356
Likes: 887
From: san diego
I ran a 21 on my Road King for a while. I even lowered the forks 1 1/4 inches to level the bike. 21's work fine. All you need to concern yourself with is tire to fender clearance.
PLEASE....... PLEASE..... do not let ANYONE tell you its a direct bolt on. For many people it is, for a few, there can be fender to tire clearance issues. Especially if your tire accidentally runs low on air. Just do yourself a favor when you bolt the 21 on... check clearance. Tape something small to the tire and make sure it spins through. Its simply the smart thing to do. Just because one guy didn't have an issue, doesn't mean you won't. Be smart and check it before you blow down the hyway at 90 mph, and bubble the paint on your front fender. In most cases with issues, you can just drill the rear mounting holes out, raise up the fender and retighten it. That's all it takes.
On a side note, ALL the 2014 and newer bikes require a fender spacer, while only a small percentage of the 2013 down bikes require anything.
PLEASE....... PLEASE..... do not let ANYONE tell you its a direct bolt on. For many people it is, for a few, there can be fender to tire clearance issues. Especially if your tire accidentally runs low on air. Just do yourself a favor when you bolt the 21 on... check clearance. Tape something small to the tire and make sure it spins through. Its simply the smart thing to do. Just because one guy didn't have an issue, doesn't mean you won't. Be smart and check it before you blow down the hyway at 90 mph, and bubble the paint on your front fender. In most cases with issues, you can just drill the rear mounting holes out, raise up the fender and retighten it. That's all it takes.
On a side note, ALL the 2014 and newer bikes require a fender spacer, while only a small percentage of the 2013 down bikes require anything.
Is that a vee rubber i see.... j/k. Your bike looked great with that 21. Especially in that color
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
LOL, yes! That's a Vee Rubber. And that tire is much of the reason I sold the 21. I just couldn't get past putting such a crappy tire on a brand new bike!
Now, with the Wide White Wall tire selection coming around, I might give a 21 another try. And thanks for the props!