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Bike: 2013 Street Glide.
Issue: Harsh ride from front end. I put take off air shocks from an ultra on the rear it helped the ride quality some....
I suspect the 18in front wheel is to blame for the harshness from the front end on the bike. Considering putting the HD cartidge kit on it, maybe a wheel off an ultra might help?
If the front is harsh I would lean toward someone putting heavier oil in the forks. My 12 (same as your 13) was mushy like baby poop stock. Front end dive like crazy under braking with stock oil. I stiffened it up with heavier oil.My bet is someone used screamin eagle oil or equivalant viscosity in yours. I also went to an enforcer wheel and noticed no difference from the stock wheel, so I doubt going smaller will achieve what you want. .
My new bike is going in for service soon and one of the things being done is heavier fork oil. Already have Pro Action shocks (12") on the rear and swapping that out to 13". Both bikes have a 19" Enforcer and ride quality improved on the older bike as far as I am concerned. Going backwards doesn't make sense.
My 2009 Streetglide came stock with a 17. Same rough suspension as all the other years. I put Progressive Mono tubes cartridges in the forks. It does ride and handle better but its still stiff over bad roads.
I tend to agree with the 19 on my 2017 dose not ride nearly as well as my 17's did on the road kings I have owned as well as the EG std that I had. There is also a vagueness about the front end that I don't like. The reduced sidewall to keep the rolling diameter the same makes a difference to me anyway. It's annoying.
I say go for it if you have a wheel to match it. It's not going to get any worse.
I also went to an enforcer wheel and noticed no difference from the stock wheel, so I doubt going smaller will achieve what you want. .
it isn't really 'going smaller'. pretty much all the front wheels on the touring bikes from 16'' up to 19'' cvo all have the same rolling diameter. the difference is with the smaller wheels, you get more sidewall on the rubber. you might notice a slight increase in cushion going with the smaller wheel, but i doubt it. maybe if you went with a 16'' you might. it definitely won't look as nice.
what tire pressure are you running? and have you changed the fork oil in the 5 years the bike has been in service?
The 2009 Street glide has a 17" front wheel. If you can find one of those, you will have a matching wheel.
2006-2008 had a 16"
2009 had a 17" (one year deal)
I THINK it went to a 18" in 2010-2013
Im mentioning it because you said something about putting an Ultra wheel on it. But You can find the streetglide wheel in 16-18" depending on year.
I had a 2009 SG with the 17. I then put an 18 on it. Sold that bike and got a 2014 Limited. Rode that for about a year with the Limited 17" Front wheel, changed it to an 18" Street glide wheel, Then to a 19" Enforcer.
I tend to agree, the smaller diameter wheel/higher profile sidewall tires rode nicer up front. The HANDLING (mostly slow speed) seems to get quicker/lighter with the bigger wheel, but the tracking (high speed on the slab) and ride quality tends to get worse.
At least in my opinion/experience.
Ive actually been giving some thought to taking the enforcers off and going back to original wheels on my Limited.
My 2007 With 16"
My 2009 With original 17"
2009 with 18"
2014 Limited original 17"
2014 Limited with 18" SG wheel
2014 Limited with 19" Enforcer
Last edited by flyingace; Jul 17, 2018 at 01:05 AM.
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17in wheel on a SG?
