I initially was going to purchase a solid disc wheel for the rear of my RGU. I am now considering the matching front. Living on an island I don’t do any of long range touring, we only have a few high wind days which are normally accompanied with storms and I wouldn’t be riding in that anyway. Is there handling woes to be considered aside from it catching more wind? I have Knuckle wheels now and those are basically 75% solid. I would either stay with 17/16 or do 19/16 diameters.

 

Shouldn’t be an issue. You “may” feel the wind if there is a big gust but everyday riding.......go for it

it would be the same if you were asking about bikes picking up more wind if they have a fairing versus no fairing. The answer would be yes you may feel the cross wind a little more but does it really make a difference?

 

You can`t see the rear wheel on a touring bike unless the bags are removed.

The solid wheel on front will act a little squirrely in gusty wind, and trust me, it is not the same as the wind pushing against a fairing.

I noticed it right away when I put a solid wheel on the front of my Softail. Next tire change...the OEM spoke front wheel goes back on.

 

See if your dealer has a Fatboy to rent for a day. They've always had solid wheels and you can get a feel for the handling. Riding around the island and through H2 should give you an idea.

 

It is absolutely negligible and in your riding environment, it will not be noticed. Fatboys have been running solid wheels front and back for a very long time. If it is something you want for aesthetics, have at it and good luck.

 

^^This. I've owned several Fat Boys and the solid wheel/wind bit is a myth. I live in a very windy state. As stated, a negligible difference.

 

Call it a myth, but I noticed it in the wind gusts as soon as I changed the front spoke wheel to a solid wheel.

I speak from experience of riding both wheels on the same machine on the same day.

I`ve been riding the same Softail for almost 32 years, I know exactly how it feels with both types of wheel.

 

H-D has been making Fatboys for thirty years. Jus' sayin'!

 

What exactly is your point?

 

I put a solid rear wheel on my 1997 Wide Glide in 1998. Probably rode around like that for 25k miles, never noticed a difference. Went back to spokes, same/same.