Rear wheel makes no difference spoke or solid, the front wheel is what makes the bike squirrely in a wind gust, I`m guessing it shakes the front wheel a bit.

My spoked OEM wheel is down from the attic and is waiting for its new tire as we speak.

 

That's bleedin' obvious - bikes with two solid disc wheels have been around for thirty years. Indeed they go back to before WW2 IIRC. You've made your point regarding your own experience, but there are countless other riders of solid disc front wheels out there.

 

I forgot to read your mind, thanks for the rest of the story.

 

Besides all the "Wind" stuff, what brand of "solid" wheels would you be considering for your RGU? ... Harley themselves would have nothing to offer


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I put a solid front on my 2000 ultra. Didn't notice a big difference. Factory wheel off a 2003 roadking CVO, bolted right up.

 

I always heard that the solid wheel wind thing was a myth, also. I just acquired a 2002 Fatboy, and sure enough there is a difference. I have owned many harleys and I definitely get pushed a round a little when the wind is just right.

 

yes, forgot about that one ... although he would have to move down to a 16" Front (not one of his initially stated target sizes)

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Keep in mind the OP is in Hawaii, he will not be riding across the Nebraska plains or any place like that with big cross winds. Hard to find a place to do 65 MPH over there, beautiful but not wide open. Good luck to all of us.

 

I have ridden a few Fatboys and love blaming the bike versus the rider. Let's approach this more scientifically. The 16" disk would be 5.6 square feet of surface area. Now the rotor is 3.1415 square feet. I know the rotor has holes to allow air movement but there is also the forks and the caliper to add in. For argument sake, let's just say the rotor is solid to compensate for the forks and caliper. The added surface area is 2.5 square feet. That is a piece of plywood that is 18" x 18". Go out is the wind and brace the edge of the piece of plywood on the ground and hold it to see the added side force. Remember that the added surface area is below the center of gravity and the ground is taking part of the force. You will see there is some push but not a whole lot. With all of the other surface areas on a touring bike, you will not notice it.

As to the looks, I think the solid disk in chrome is the best looking wheel out there. With some of the other crap I have seen people add on their bikes just for the looks that would effect the driveabilty, I would go for it.

 

Have had a solid disc wheel for 5 to 6 years on the rear of my Road King. As mentioned, the saddlebags cover it. Some people here put too much thought into it.