21" wheel question
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 771
Likes: 15
From: Cartersville, Georgia
200/55/17 ... no
200/50/18 ... questionable. I have heard yes and no on this one and also heard some complaints about handling.
Last edited by BrianSF-GA; Dec 8, 2015 at 02:53 PM.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
If your bike is 2013 or earlier a 17x6.25 rear wheel with a 200/50/17 or a 200/55/17 Metzeler or Avon will fit. Michelin Commander II does not work as it is too wide. You can also run an 18x5.5 rear wheel with a 180/55/18 rear tire. The 200/50/18 tire is known to cause a high speed wobble thus not recommended. Or you can go stock size which in an aftermarket wheel will be a 16x5.5 with a 180/65/16 tire.
What you usually don;t learn until you have already bought wheels is what kind of mileage varying size tires will get. Some people care, some don't.
The Metzeler 200/50/17 and 200/55/17 and Avon Cobra 200/55/17 usually yield around 5000 miles on the rear of a bagger. For me personally, that is unacceptable as ui am a daily rider and prefer not to change my rear tire that often.
That being said, I have not sold may of the Pirelli Night Dragon tires but they do get pretty decent mileage, at least twice of a what Metzeler ME880 will get. I run a 16" rear with a Michelin Commander II and average about 12k out of rear tires. Front get me around 15K before they start to feel a little squirrely although they usually still have a bit of tread left on them. Once I get a squirrely feeling I replace my tires.
Tires and how long they last depend on numerous variables such as speed you ride, how you get on the throttle, air pressure, road surface, etc etc etc. There are many factors to consider when buying a set of custom wheels and we are well versed in all respects so if you have questions please ask.
What you usually don;t learn until you have already bought wheels is what kind of mileage varying size tires will get. Some people care, some don't.
The Metzeler 200/50/17 and 200/55/17 and Avon Cobra 200/55/17 usually yield around 5000 miles on the rear of a bagger. For me personally, that is unacceptable as ui am a daily rider and prefer not to change my rear tire that often.
That being said, I have not sold may of the Pirelli Night Dragon tires but they do get pretty decent mileage, at least twice of a what Metzeler ME880 will get. I run a 16" rear with a Michelin Commander II and average about 12k out of rear tires. Front get me around 15K before they start to feel a little squirrely although they usually still have a bit of tread left on them. Once I get a squirrely feeling I replace my tires.
Tires and how long they last depend on numerous variables such as speed you ride, how you get on the throttle, air pressure, road surface, etc etc etc. There are many factors to consider when buying a set of custom wheels and we are well versed in all respects so if you have questions please ask.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 11
From: Colorado
I had the 200/50/18 set up and didn't like it at all. When it was time to change tires (flat), I went with the 180/55/18 and I dig the set up a lot better. I switched out the front end suspension with stock height Progressive monotubes and it handles great! Eventually, I'll improve the rear suspension, but that won't be until later next year...
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland / Akron Ohio
If your bike is 2013 or earlier a 17x6.25 rear wheel with a 200/50/17 or a 200/55/17 Metzeler or Avon will fit. Michelin Commander II does not work as it is too wide. You can also run an 18x5.5 rear wheel with a 180/55/18 rear tire. The 200/50/18 tire is known to cause a high speed wobble thus not recommended. Or you can go stock size which in an aftermarket wheel will be a 16x5.5 with a 180/65/16 tire.
What you usually don;t learn until you have already bought wheels is what kind of mileage varying size tires will get. Some people care, some don't.
The Metzeler 200/50/17 and 200/55/17 and Avon Cobra 200/55/17 usually yield around 5000 miles on the rear of a bagger. For me personally, that is unacceptable as ui am a daily rider and prefer not to change my rear tire that often.
That being said, I have not sold may of the Pirelli Night Dragon tires but they do get pretty decent mileage, at least twice of a what Metzeler ME880 will get. I run a 16" rear with a Michelin Commander II and average about 12k out of rear tires. Front get me around 15K before they start to feel a little squirrely although they usually still have a bit of tread left on them. Once I get a squirrely feeling I replace my tires.
Tires and how long they last depend on numerous variables such as speed you ride, how you get on the throttle, air pressure, road surface, etc etc etc. There are many factors to consider when buying a set of custom wheels and we are well versed in all respects so if you have questions please ask.
What you usually don;t learn until you have already bought wheels is what kind of mileage varying size tires will get. Some people care, some don't.
The Metzeler 200/50/17 and 200/55/17 and Avon Cobra 200/55/17 usually yield around 5000 miles on the rear of a bagger. For me personally, that is unacceptable as ui am a daily rider and prefer not to change my rear tire that often.
That being said, I have not sold may of the Pirelli Night Dragon tires but they do get pretty decent mileage, at least twice of a what Metzeler ME880 will get. I run a 16" rear with a Michelin Commander II and average about 12k out of rear tires. Front get me around 15K before they start to feel a little squirrely although they usually still have a bit of tread left on them. Once I get a squirrely feeling I replace my tires.
Tires and how long they last depend on numerous variables such as speed you ride, how you get on the throttle, air pressure, road surface, etc etc etc. There are many factors to consider when buying a set of custom wheels and we are well versed in all respects so if you have questions please ask.
So let me ask you this. I'm very new to this as I just bought my first Harley which is a 2015 street glide special a little over a month ago. I want to put a 21 inch wheel in the front but really don't want to change the back wheel. I have the abs link in break system or whatever it's called. I would like to have a nice amount of rubber on the front 21 so I can still ride long distances and corner without any issue. What size front tire should I get with a 21 and what size rear should I put on my 16 so that I won't have any abs issues. Also, would I be able to use my same front rotors? I'm aware of the fender issue and plan to go to a wrap front fender.
And also what would you recommend to use to lower the front to so it will still sit even where the headlight is pointing correctly? I'm 6'1 so not really too worried about not being able to reach the ground.
Thanks in advance for the response. I've been on your website and love your work.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
So if you want a wider sidewall run the 120/70/21 and get the ThunderMax ABS module. the pother option with the stock rear wheel is the 130/60/21 (lower profile) and no ABS module.
The only other way to do this is a PM wheel (which comes with an ABS sensor plate)and you can run the 120/70/21 without the additional ABS module.
The only other way to do this is a PM wheel (which comes with an ABS sensor plate)and you can run the 120/70/21 without the additional ABS module.
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