21x18 Ride and performance
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Fugitive from justice
RE: 21x18 Ride and performance
I ain't done it but I fersure plan it soon.
First of all the 18" rear wheel doesn't change overall tire diameter muchso it shouldn't change handleing by itself...That leaves the front wheel.
It's obvious that a taller front tire is gonna raise the bike in the front and cause jiffy stand issues at times and fersure change the way the bike handles in some situations....just how much it changes things is yet for me to experience......BUT....I've already figured out thatI need to lower the frontend to compensate, so you can believe it will be part of the install.
What is especially important andsacred to handleing is rake,trail and trippletree setup.....The FL's have this sweet setup that is different than most bikes in that the fork pivot bearing is forward of the fork tubes.....kinda like a trailing castor wheel on an angle......this arrangemnet makes the bike inherently stable after changes providing rake/trail remains within reasonable limits.
I'm glad you posted the question, but I'm not too concerned at this point.
First of all the 18" rear wheel doesn't change overall tire diameter muchso it shouldn't change handleing by itself...That leaves the front wheel.
It's obvious that a taller front tire is gonna raise the bike in the front and cause jiffy stand issues at times and fersure change the way the bike handles in some situations....just how much it changes things is yet for me to experience......BUT....I've already figured out thatI need to lower the frontend to compensate, so you can believe it will be part of the install.
What is especially important andsacred to handleing is rake,trail and trippletree setup.....The FL's have this sweet setup that is different than most bikes in that the fork pivot bearing is forward of the fork tubes.....kinda like a trailing castor wheel on an angle......this arrangemnet makes the bike inherently stable after changes providing rake/trail remains within reasonable limits.
I'm glad you posted the question, but I'm not too concerned at this point.
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RE: 21x18 Ride and performance
ORIGINAL: sublime_ac
I have ridden a few bikes with this setup, one was lowered in the front by 1.5", the other was not. The one that was lowered seemed to ride better and the one that was not lowered seemed a little twitchy, but I wouldn't say it rode worse, just different. I already lowered my bike by 1.5" in front for this pending conversion...
I have ridden a few bikes with this setup, one was lowered in the front by 1.5", the other was not. The one that was lowered seemed to ride better and the one that was not lowered seemed a little twitchy, but I wouldn't say it rode worse, just different. I already lowered my bike by 1.5" in front for this pending conversion...
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: DFW
RE: 21x18 Ride and performance
ORIGINAL: Biggzed
That is a very good point. I rode mine at stock height with the 21" for a week while I waited on the lowering kit. I agree with the twitchy description. Slow speed was fine, but I went into a long sweeper at about 60mph and things got twitchy. Never felt I was going to loose control, just twitchy. I ride that road to and from work, so as soon as I lowered it I hit the corner again and all was fine. Felt rock solid.
ORIGINAL: sublime_ac
I have ridden a few bikes with this setup, one was lowered in the front by 1.5", the other was not. The one that was lowered seemed to ride better and the one that was not lowered seemed a little twitchy, but I wouldn't say it rode worse, just different. I already lowered my bike by 1.5" in front for this pending conversion...
I have ridden a few bikes with this setup, one was lowered in the front by 1.5", the other was not. The one that was lowered seemed to ride better and the one that was not lowered seemed a little twitchy, but I wouldn't say it rode worse, just different. I already lowered my bike by 1.5" in front for this pending conversion...
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From:
RE: 21x18 Ride and performance
A streetglides ride isnt like the others in Hds lineup due to factory rear shocks.Lowering the front due to 21 inch setup will make ride harsher on ratty roads but will allow bike to sit closer to factory setup thus ending the twitchy remarks some have posted.The 21s footprint is wider on a tourer aftermarket wheelsand dont forget to check for fender clearances even if ok during installation.Depending on tire brand used and individual bikes factory fender setup contact may happen once tire gets hot and grows ever so slightly.The roads here in the east arent the best and expect worse by spring so consider the location of those that offer feedback.In the end I think the look youre after will exceed any ride negatives.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Fugitive from justice
RE: 21x18 Ride and performance
I can directly compare my stock 16" King to my Sporty custom with 21 stock front wheel.....The Sporty gets twitchy at high speeds due to the tall narrow front tire and leading fork tubes........After 35 years of riding mostly cafe style bikes at insane speeds, I know the reason for it.
Lower your touring bike in front and all should be well(and look better).....It's great when your bike looks good, but it's hard to hide the fact your azz has puckered and makes a sucking sound whenever you try to pry it off the seat.
Lower your touring bike in front and all should be well(and look better).....It's great when your bike looks good, but it's hard to hide the fact your azz has puckered and makes a sucking sound whenever you try to pry it off the seat.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: DFW
RE: 21x18 Ride and performance
ORIGINAL: Biggzed
I've had no problems with the ride or handling of my 21/18 set-up. The larger contact patch of the 18 in front should handle better though.
I've had no problems with the ride or handling of my 21/18 set-up. The larger contact patch of the 18 in front should handle better though.
Thanks
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From: Fugitive from justice
RE: 21x18 Ride and performance
Glider, It all depends on overall tire diameter, not wheel diameter....Many tires offer same outer diameter yet fit larger wheels......some 18" tires are ruffly same diameter as your stock 16" tires.......Tire/wheel science has become totally cryptic and you have to do some digging to get the dimensions you need to make a good choice.
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