Handling lost with 21" wheel?
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Johnstown, Colorado
Handling lost with 21" wheel?
I thinking about purchasing some new wheels for my SG. I want to go with a 21 up front, but I live in Colorado and quite a few of our rides are in the canyons so I don't want to loose any handling. Will I notice any difference with the 21 up front on the corners? It's not like I am railing up or down the canyon like I would on a sportbike but I wouldn't really want to make it allot worse than it is. Any input on the handling from you guys that have donethis?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Southeastern Michigan
RE: Handling lost with 21" wheel?
Here are some links
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2021741/m...tm.htm#2022144
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2021077/m...tm.htm#2021336
and a link about the metzlers that most people run on the 21" wheel
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2014565/m...tm.htm#2014790
Hope it helps,
Rob
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2021741/m...tm.htm#2022144
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2021077/m...tm.htm#2021336
and a link about the metzlers that most people run on the 21" wheel
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2014565/m...tm.htm#2014790
Hope it helps,
Rob
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 362
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From: Johnstown, Colorado
RE: Handling lost with 21" wheel?
ORIGINAL: 04harleyboy
Here are some links
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2021741/m...tm.htm#2022144
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2021077/m...tm.htm#2021336
and a link about the metzlers that most people run on the 21" wheel
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2014565/m...tm.htm#2014790
Hope it helps,
Rob
Here are some links
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2021741/m...tm.htm#2022144
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2021077/m...tm.htm#2021336
and a link about the metzlers that most people run on the 21" wheel
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2014565/m...tm.htm#2014790
Hope it helps,
Rob
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,273
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From:
RE: Handling lost with 21" wheel?
if you use a 21 in front and an 18 in the rear you will increase the rake slightly. it will make the steering slightly heavier but in general it will perform well.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,365
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From: Florida
RE: Handling lost with 21" wheel?
ORIGINAL: sleepneagle
if you use a 21 in front and an 18 in the rear you will increase the rake slightly. it will make the steering slightly heavier but in general it will perform well.
if you use a 21 in front and an 18 in the rear you will increase the rake slightly. it will make the steering slightly heavier but in general it will perform well.
I have not had any issues with mine at all. 18 rear and 21 front with the 1 inch spring HD lowering kit. I love it
OTB
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 362
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From: Johnstown, Colorado
RE: Handling lost with 21" wheel?
ORIGINAL: sleepneagle
if you use a 21 in front and an 18 in the rear you will increase the rake slightly. it will make the steering slightly heavier but in general it will perform well.
if you use a 21 in front and an 18 in the rear you will increase the rake slightly. it will make the steering slightly heavier but in general it will perform well.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Southeastern Michigan
RE: Handling lost with 21" wheel?
ORIGINAL: bowhnter7
Thanks Rob, I had read some of your comments about the 21 up front, just looking for some more feedback. I know there's allot of guys out there running those wheels. You say you noticed no diff or better, I didn't check to see where you live, do you do any twisties on your bike and did it handle good?
ORIGINAL: 04harleyboy
Here are some links
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2021741/m...tm.htm#2022144
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2021077/m...tm.htm#2021336
and a link about the metzlers that most people run on the 21" wheel
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2014565/m...tm.htm#2014790
Hope it helps,
Rob
Here are some links
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2021741/m...tm.htm#2022144
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2021077/m...tm.htm#2021336
and a link about the metzlers that most people run on the 21" wheel
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2014565/m...tm.htm#2014790
Hope it helps,
Rob
.We do have a couple of roads around here that have some good twisties, and I have been down the Skyline, through theAdirondacks, and a few other placeswith it. It handles great IMHO. I had a '04 FXDX (superglide sport) and I believe that it handles better then that bike did, considering the added weight.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 5
From: Bellville, Tx
RE: Handling lost with 21" wheel?
The simple part is this: If your tire in front is a larger diameter, the front is higher. This angles the forks(and the whole bike) up a little. The line from the steering head to the ground moves out and increases the trail(distance from that point to where the tire contacts the ground). This will result in a little heavier steering at low speed with more self centering at higher speeds. The bike will tend to "push" more in the corners. If you are concerned with mountain riding it may not provide you with more confindence in those conditions. I live in Texas and prefer the straight line performance of my 21" for that reason. With 40deg of "rake" and 21" the bike is extemely heavy feeling at slow speeds but rides straight and true like a rock at highway speeds, I rarely encounter more than a hill. My experience on sport bikes is that an 18 or 19" with a larger tire is far preferable for the twisties, especially on downhill switchbacks where you depend on the front for braking and turns. The 21" is not unsafe but requires a more conservative approach to cornering.
That said, "raked triple trees" can restore the right amount of trail giving better handling with the 21". Back in the '50s 21" were used for better control on soft surfaces(sand and mud offroad).
[IMG]local://upfiles/36103/4DD57E2254DD425A850AC0E9C76CD267.jpg[/IMG]
That said, "raked triple trees" can restore the right amount of trail giving better handling with the 21". Back in the '50s 21" were used for better control on soft surfaces(sand and mud offroad).
[IMG]local://upfiles/36103/4DD57E2254DD425A850AC0E9C76CD267.jpg[/IMG]
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
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From:
RE: Handling lost with 21" wheel?
Rake; the degrees of angle from verticle measured at the neck centerline of the frame. if you run a straight line down from the neck centerline to the ground. then place a verticle line up thru the centerline of the front axle and then measure the distance between the two points, you have trail.
Trail; castor effect of the front tire. Not enough castor, you get shake, too much, it gets difficult to turn and/or the tire and wheel will lay over.
Get some old issues of AIM. American Iron Magazine. has some very good articles on bike geometry.
Trail; castor effect of the front tire. Not enough castor, you get shake, too much, it gets difficult to turn and/or the tire and wheel will lay over.
Get some old issues of AIM. American Iron Magazine. has some very good articles on bike geometry.
