Largest Diameter Rear Wheel
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
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Largest Diameter Rear Wheel
Getting ready to make the plunge on a front 21x3.5 wheel for my 2007 Road King. I would like to get a matching rear wheel at the same time, but I'm not sure on the size. I would like for both wheels to have as close to the same profile of side wall as possible. Can I run a larger wheel diameter wheel out back, and if I can, what size are people running?
Sorry if this has been asked a million times, but when I search I get 1000 threads of misc. wheel topics.
Sorry if this has been asked a million times, but when I search I get 1000 threads of misc. wheel topics.
Novice
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Damascus, MD
Limiter is going to be tires
I'm looking at the same 21x3.5 on the front, but my big problem is the tires. I've got to have the whitewall look on my RKC. Avon finally released a 120/70-21 whitewall that would be perfect. I've seen multiple people use it with the stock fender and it really looks good.
The problem with the rear wheel is that the only larger whitewall tire I've seen so far is from some Chinese vendors and I don't know much about them. If only Metzeler or Avon made an 18 inch rear whitewall. I have seen some people go the custom tire whitewall for show bikes, but I ride mine and want a good, safe and dependable tire under my butt without spending insane money.
Looks like I'll be sticking with the stock 16 on the back for now, but not too disappointed as you can barely see any of the rear wheel anyway.
Best of luck with the new wheels and tires.
The problem with the rear wheel is that the only larger whitewall tire I've seen so far is from some Chinese vendors and I don't know much about them. If only Metzeler or Avon made an 18 inch rear whitewall. I have seen some people go the custom tire whitewall for show bikes, but I ride mine and want a good, safe and dependable tire under my butt without spending insane money.
Looks like I'll be sticking with the stock 16 on the back for now, but not too disappointed as you can barely see any of the rear wheel anyway.
Best of luck with the new wheels and tires.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
Just put a 16X3.5 on the back. It will look far better than those 18" wheels. You can also run stock size rear tires with no problem. The goal with a 21" front is to have it look taller than the rear. Otherwise it just looks goofy with front and rear wheels that both appear tall, in my opinion.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 325
Likes: 16
From: Miami, FL
I'm running 21/18 setup on 07 RK the back is 18x 3.5 with Metzeler ME880 Marathon 150/70B18 Rear Tire, that biggest widest tire your going to get in 07 swing arm....
Now it I did it again I just do 16 X 3.5 and be done. It cheaper , rides smoother, and no one see $1500 back there anyways.
Now it I did it again I just do 16 X 3.5 and be done. It cheaper , rides smoother, and no one see $1500 back there anyways.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
RKZen's photo shows us all we need to know, showing off his white-walls! I have squeezed a Deuce disc rear wheel in my bike, but that is only visible to someone who knows his Deuces, as only the edge of the disc is visible.
There is very little difference in rolling diameter of most wheels that will fit our bikes. The 21" is a little larger than stock, but all sizes used by the MoCo are as near as matters the same. As for rear wheels, same comment applies. If there is a suitable 18" rear WW, it will simply have a narrower WW!
There is very little difference in rolling diameter of most wheels that will fit our bikes. The 21" is a little larger than stock, but all sizes used by the MoCo are as near as matters the same. As for rear wheels, same comment applies. If there is a suitable 18" rear WW, it will simply have a narrower WW!
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[QUOTE=G E E;15045609]I'm running 21/18 setup on 07 RK the back is 18x 3.5 with Metzeler ME880 Marathon 150/70B18 Rear Tire, that biggest widest tire your going to get in 07 swing arm....
This is true and not at the same time. You can run a 180 in a '07 stock swing arm but the limitation in your stock fender. You can run a 160 if you get the wider rim and trim the belt guard but you wont be able to find a WW tire in that size at lest not from Avon.
So my answer would be to run to stock rim size and get the 150 WW from Avon and call it done. Here is Avon's tire chart which I'm sure you have seen all ready.
http://www.avonmoto.com/products/cru...ustom/cobra_ww
This is true and not at the same time. You can run a 180 in a '07 stock swing arm but the limitation in your stock fender. You can run a 160 if you get the wider rim and trim the belt guard but you wont be able to find a WW tire in that size at lest not from Avon.
So my answer would be to run to stock rim size and get the 150 WW from Avon and call it done. Here is Avon's tire chart which I'm sure you have seen all ready.
http://www.avonmoto.com/products/cru...ustom/cobra_ww
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
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Not that I'm racer and I probably wouldn't notice the difference anyways, but by running two different side wall heights doesn't that mess with the feel of the bike when corning?
I do want to run WW's, so having a good tire brand is important. Thanks for all the info. RKZen's bike looks good with the mixed matched sidewalls. I'm still exploring the matching sidewall option that GEE pointed out.
I do want to run WW's, so having a good tire brand is important. Thanks for all the info. RKZen's bike looks good with the mixed matched sidewalls. I'm still exploring the matching sidewall option that GEE pointed out.
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