21 18 Wheel Conversion
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Southeastern Michigan
RE: 21 18 Wheel Conversion
You would be ahead of the game anywhere you went with the 23" front wheel....but it will take some fab work on the front fender to get that thing in there
But well worth it, if thats the look you want.
But well worth it, if thats the look you want.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 14
From: Bay Area 41510 To Vegas!!!
RE: 21 18 Wheel Conversion
ORIGINAL: IceHeritage
1) The handling is a little more responsive
2) Non just install and Ride
1) The handling is a little more responsive
2) Non just install and Ride
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 4
From: SoCal
RE: 21 18 Wheel Conversion
Those giant wheels sure have cool factor. But then, I'd be on a Wide-Glide if cool factor was all there was to riding. From Thunder Press Magazine, May 2007, Motorhead Memo, by Kip Woodring:
"..;change to 18" wheels and you affect gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), with the low-profile tires required in such a swap. There goes the option to safely load the scoot to the gunwales on road trips...Wheels: 18 X 3.5 " billet PM, likely less flexible than factory "mags" and certainly stiffer than spoke wheels. But, they are heavier, and being a larger diameter, they carry more mass at the outer edges. That increases the gyro effect at speed and makes for less crisp turn-in. the resulting slower steering response and harsher ride quality are no big deal on freeways and in smooth sweepers, but tight or bumpy switchbacks are liable to be a lot more work for the rider..."
Yep, I drool over 'em at the watering holes! But I do so much of my ridingin mountain twisties around the backroads that this modification just takes away a little more than it gives for me.
"..;change to 18" wheels and you affect gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), with the low-profile tires required in such a swap. There goes the option to safely load the scoot to the gunwales on road trips...Wheels: 18 X 3.5 " billet PM, likely less flexible than factory "mags" and certainly stiffer than spoke wheels. But, they are heavier, and being a larger diameter, they carry more mass at the outer edges. That increases the gyro effect at speed and makes for less crisp turn-in. the resulting slower steering response and harsher ride quality are no big deal on freeways and in smooth sweepers, but tight or bumpy switchbacks are liable to be a lot more work for the rider..."
Yep, I drool over 'em at the watering holes! But I do so much of my ridingin mountain twisties around the backroads that this modification just takes away a little more than it gives for me.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
RE: 21 18 Wheel Conversion
i can't comment on riding a harley with bigger wheels... but have however ridden many different sportbikes with different sized wheels, most notably the cbr900rr... when first released (and for many years following) the cbr9 had a 16" front wheel (17" rear) and the older ninja's had 16's front and rear)... when each of these bikes finally went to a 17" wheel they got noticably more stable at speed and handling picked up quite a bit... now, on older 1st gen GSXR's they had 18" fronts and when they went to 17's they picked up a slightly crisper handling characteristic and tended to be a bit "twitchy" at speed... imho, based on what I've experienced, i don't think that on a harley touring bike that moving to 18's would present any problem... 21's I don't know, but I'd definitely consider 18's if I had the $$ to do it... if they made a 17" i'd get those and install some good rubber that's generally available for most sport bikes...
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 21 18 Wheel Conversion
I have riden sport bikes (I guess I am whatsomeone on the forum so kindly referred to as a CRB, crotch rocket bastard) and can appreciate a good handling bike. Irun a 21" front 18" rear and disagree thatthe turn-in is any less crisp. I find the bike to be very neutral at speed and quicker on turn-in at low speed. I have notice improved handling but that may be dueto running the Metz vs. the Dun-rocks.
The look is still unique here in Minnesota. I have only seen one other bike, last weekend as amatter of fact, with the 21"/18" combo.Iget lots of compliments and I don't think most even know why it looks so different.
Cheers,
CRB (AKA RJ)
The look is still unique here in Minnesota. I have only seen one other bike, last weekend as amatter of fact, with the 21"/18" combo.Iget lots of compliments and I don't think most even know why it looks so different.
Cheers,
CRB (AKA RJ)
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
From: Citizen of the Republic of Texas, now in GA
RE: 21 18 Wheel Conversion
ORIGINAL: 04harleyboy
I would like to see a copy of this article. I am an engineer by trade, and would love hear what they have to say. I have only been running my set up for a couple of months now (not as long as Ice Heritage has), but I have logged over 2,000 trouble free miles on them so far. Please feel free to send me a link to that article if you can.
I would like to see a copy of this article. I am an engineer by trade, and would love hear what they have to say. I have only been running my set up for a couple of months now (not as long as Ice Heritage has), but I have logged over 2,000 trouble free miles on them so far. Please feel free to send me a link to that article if you can.
Check it out: http://www.thunderpress.net/MONTH_AR...orheadMemo.pdf
Thunder Press url: http://www.thunderpress.net/month.html
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 21 18 Wheel Conversion
ORIGINAL: Firetender
Those giant wheels sure have cool factor. But then, I'd be on a Wide-Glide if cool factor was all there was to riding. From Thunder Press Magazine, May 2007, Motorhead Memo, by Kip Woodring:
"..;change to 18" wheels and you affect gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), with the low-profile tires required in such a swap. There goes the option to safely load the scoot to the gunwales on road trips...Wheels: 18 X 3.5 " billet PM, likely less flexible than factory "mags" and certainly stiffer than spoke wheels. But, they are heavier, and being a larger diameter, they carry more mass at the outer edges. That increases the gyro effect at speed and makes for less crisp turn-in. the resulting slower steering response and harsher ride quality are no big deal on freeways and in smooth sweepers, but tight or bumpy switchbacks are liable to be a lot more work for the rider..."
Yep, I drool over 'em at the watering holes! But I do so much of my ridingin mountain twisties around the backroads that this modification just takes away a little more than it gives for me.
Those giant wheels sure have cool factor. But then, I'd be on a Wide-Glide if cool factor was all there was to riding. From Thunder Press Magazine, May 2007, Motorhead Memo, by Kip Woodring:
"..;change to 18" wheels and you affect gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), with the low-profile tires required in such a swap. There goes the option to safely load the scoot to the gunwales on road trips...Wheels: 18 X 3.5 " billet PM, likely less flexible than factory "mags" and certainly stiffer than spoke wheels. But, they are heavier, and being a larger diameter, they carry more mass at the outer edges. That increases the gyro effect at speed and makes for less crisp turn-in. the resulting slower steering response and harsher ride quality are no big deal on freeways and in smooth sweepers, but tight or bumpy switchbacks are liable to be a lot more work for the rider..."
Yep, I drool over 'em at the watering holes! But I do so much of my ridingin mountain twisties around the backroads that this modification just takes away a little more than it gives for me.