21" front wheel on Street Glide, 18" on rear
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 75
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From:
RE: 21" front wheel on Street Glide, 18" on rear
I just ordered a set of 21/18 creation 5's, I will post my opinion when I install & ride.Just to spread the word, Bart, shooter 64 on this site, gives the best deal on wheels/ tires, or any other parts or upgrades you may be considering. His prices are definately the lowest anywhere, he is also very experienced in bike building, website is Cateye customs.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
RE: 21" front wheel on Street Glide, 18" on rear
I went 21-18 and didn't lower it. The handling might of changed a little but as far as I'm concerned it's better. It could be the tire I don't know but the turn in is quicker and it just doesn't have a slugish feeling like before. As I said I didn't lower it and would not say it's a must but some say they like there's better since they did. I would hate to go back to stock. If you like the look and I do, there is no reason not to do it. You will get a lot of opionions on this but I would listen to the people that ride a 21-18 not just what someone might think. Go for it.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County, CA
RE: 21" front wheel on Street Glide, 18" on rear
I am with Gfunk- 21 / 16. My front end is lowered almost 3 inches, I dont know if that is necessary. My rear end is on air ride.I have had no problems with handling. [/align][/align]I am with Primo, Metzler rubber handles the grooves of the freeways here in So Cal fine. [/align]
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 20
From: Illinois
RE: 21" front wheel on Street Glide, 18" on rear
Well I have been down this road!
I lowered my front end 1 inch back with the stock wheels, put on the 21 x 18 set regained the 1 inch in front and have to say my bike handles well!
I just road through Southern Missouri and Arkansas 19, 5, 7, 160 and 9 all of which have 25 mph- 45 mph u, s, and hair pin turns.
What I noticed most is that when I put on my floor board extensions last year with the stock wheels and the 1 inch lower job I was dragging my boards in some turns. Nowa eats a no dragging! Handles great in fact,I have 1/8" chicken strips! I was riding with some sport bikes and we traded, they where impressed with the handling of the bike! No loss of ride and just handles awesome!!
Oh yeah Mezzler!! Have ridden them all and hands down the best rubber for the road IMO!
I lowered my front end 1 inch back with the stock wheels, put on the 21 x 18 set regained the 1 inch in front and have to say my bike handles well!
I just road through Southern Missouri and Arkansas 19, 5, 7, 160 and 9 all of which have 25 mph- 45 mph u, s, and hair pin turns.
What I noticed most is that when I put on my floor board extensions last year with the stock wheels and the 1 inch lower job I was dragging my boards in some turns. Nowa eats a no dragging! Handles great in fact,I have 1/8" chicken strips! I was riding with some sport bikes and we traded, they where impressed with the handling of the bike! No loss of ride and just handles awesome!!
Oh yeah Mezzler!! Have ridden them all and hands down the best rubber for the road IMO!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville, TN
RE: 21" front wheel on Street Glide, 18" on rear
Back in October I busted out 524 miles in 9.25 hours.
Knoxville TN to Manteno IL
I run a 21/18 combo...RC Components wheels, Metzler tires.
No probs with the ride quality.
Knoxville TN to Manteno IL
I run a 21/18 combo...RC Components wheels, Metzler tires.
No probs with the ride quality.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 21" front wheel on Street Glide, 18" on rear
Iuse 21 18 combo but Iwill tell you this ,the 19 19 combo is also nice. check renegade wheels website the have a wheel comparison, good luck if you do run a 21 front please make sure to run metzlers they dont heat expand like the avons do.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Southeastern Michigan
RE: 21" front wheel on Street Glide, 18" on rear
I love the 21 X 18 combo. I think the bike rides about the same, and the handling is great! I would not go to an 18 front now that I have a 21, I do not see any benefit to that, IMHO I now have over 13,000 miles on this combo.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 52
From: DFW
RE: 21" front wheel on Street Glide, 18" on rear
Here is a 21x18 assessment I posted a few threadsback:
To your question Seadog, I've been riding a 21x18 set up for about 6 weeks now. I had it lowered 1"with a Race Tech suspension kit while having the wheels installed. I had ridden the dealers SG without lowering and it rode fine at highway speeds but felt a bit tippy to me on slow speed turn in's. As far as the handling with the 21x18's andthe 1" lowering kit, my bike rides great. For better or worse I am one who rides 90+ at highway speeds with this setup and it's well planted. It turns into curves nicely with the Metzelers on, but it does have a 21" wheel on it so for me there is a need for a bit more leaning...no big deal again because of how stable the tires feel. You might find slow speed U turns to not be quite as easy at FIRST, but again not something that is hard to get used to. Again my ride, WITH the Race Tech kit is a very pliant, sportier feel than the 16's, and you do feel a bit more of the road, but it is very subtle. I'm very picky and tend to get a little obsessive, so even though I'm riding the 21's and enjoying them a lot, I'm usually making mental notes and I'm conscious of the change. Honestly, the ride is great. You do sit up a "little" higher, but for me that is just more leaning room and floorboard clearance
That also is very minimal, (bike height.)
There are two areas that I would say I don't like as much:
-Two up riding is not as plush with the extra weight, and I find the bike more of a chore to balance coming to stops and negotiating parking spots etc. The skinnier front wheel just doesn't set you as flat and secure, (the very thing however that allows you to lean into curves much more securely.) If someone told me that their riding was 50% two up and the bike was going to be used for lot's of touring, I would probably suggest 18's or stock...leaning toward stock. The ride and handling is great as we all know.
-The awesome looking matching contrast cut (non floating) rotors don't seem to work quite as well with my stock Brembo brakes and black floating HD rotors. There is a small amount of slush on occasion during stops, again mostly when riding two up and the extra weight.
I am glad I made the change. I like how it rides, and love how it looks. There are far fewer trades off's of the type you typically have in the "give something to get something" world of style modifications that even I had expected. If I had been taking my own poll a few months ago re: this topic, I would have checked the "rides as good as the stock setup" box, on an overall basis. Having said that, the reason the choice was hard for me is because I really loved the ride with the 16"'s and I'm always a bit hesitant to move away from the tried and true on things like suspension and bike balance geometry. I've always found the SG or any of the touring line to have the magic carpet ride with an uncanny sense of balance. That I did not want to disturb. My biggest fear was lowering the bike, and honestly wish I didn't have the need to. The stock suspension on the 08 was fine and I liked the rear being lower than the front, but I'm one who believes the bike really needs to be lowered in the front to get that awesome HD designed "balance" back in check. Hope this helps you or anyone else considering making the change.
To your question Seadog, I've been riding a 21x18 set up for about 6 weeks now. I had it lowered 1"with a Race Tech suspension kit while having the wheels installed. I had ridden the dealers SG without lowering and it rode fine at highway speeds but felt a bit tippy to me on slow speed turn in's. As far as the handling with the 21x18's andthe 1" lowering kit, my bike rides great. For better or worse I am one who rides 90+ at highway speeds with this setup and it's well planted. It turns into curves nicely with the Metzelers on, but it does have a 21" wheel on it so for me there is a need for a bit more leaning...no big deal again because of how stable the tires feel. You might find slow speed U turns to not be quite as easy at FIRST, but again not something that is hard to get used to. Again my ride, WITH the Race Tech kit is a very pliant, sportier feel than the 16's, and you do feel a bit more of the road, but it is very subtle. I'm very picky and tend to get a little obsessive, so even though I'm riding the 21's and enjoying them a lot, I'm usually making mental notes and I'm conscious of the change. Honestly, the ride is great. You do sit up a "little" higher, but for me that is just more leaning room and floorboard clearance
That also is very minimal, (bike height.) There are two areas that I would say I don't like as much:
-Two up riding is not as plush with the extra weight, and I find the bike more of a chore to balance coming to stops and negotiating parking spots etc. The skinnier front wheel just doesn't set you as flat and secure, (the very thing however that allows you to lean into curves much more securely.) If someone told me that their riding was 50% two up and the bike was going to be used for lot's of touring, I would probably suggest 18's or stock...leaning toward stock. The ride and handling is great as we all know.
-The awesome looking matching contrast cut (non floating) rotors don't seem to work quite as well with my stock Brembo brakes and black floating HD rotors. There is a small amount of slush on occasion during stops, again mostly when riding two up and the extra weight.
I am glad I made the change. I like how it rides, and love how it looks. There are far fewer trades off's of the type you typically have in the "give something to get something" world of style modifications that even I had expected. If I had been taking my own poll a few months ago re: this topic, I would have checked the "rides as good as the stock setup" box, on an overall basis. Having said that, the reason the choice was hard for me is because I really loved the ride with the 16"'s and I'm always a bit hesitant to move away from the tried and true on things like suspension and bike balance geometry. I've always found the SG or any of the touring line to have the magic carpet ride with an uncanny sense of balance. That I did not want to disturb. My biggest fear was lowering the bike, and honestly wish I didn't have the need to. The stock suspension on the 08 was fine and I liked the rear being lower than the front, but I'm one who believes the bike really needs to be lowered in the front to get that awesome HD designed "balance" back in check. Hope this helps you or anyone else considering making the change.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Iron Station,NC
RE: 21" front wheel on Street Glide, 18" on rear
ORIGINAL: GliderXXX
Here is a 21x18 assessment I posted a few threadsback:
To your question Seadog, I've been riding a 21x18 set up for about 6 weeks now. I had it lowered 1"with a Race Tech suspension kit while having the wheels installed. I had ridden the dealers SG without lowering and it rode fine at highway speeds but felt a bit tippy to me on slow speed turn in's. As far as the handling with the 21x18's andthe 1" lowering kit, my bike rides great. For better or worse I am one who rides 90+ at highway speeds with this setup and it's well planted. It turns into curves nicely with the Metzelers on, but it does have a 21" wheel on it so for me there is a need for a bit more leaning...no big deal again because of how stable the tires feel. You might find slow speed U turns to not be quite as easy at FIRST, but again not something that is hard to get used to. Again my ride, WITH the Race Tech kit is a very pliant, sportier feel than the 16's, and you do feel a bit more of the road, but it is very subtle. I'm very picky and tend to get a little obsessive, so even though I'm riding the 21's and enjoying them a lot, I'm usually making mental notes and I'm conscious of the change. Honestly, the ride is great. You do sit up a "little" higher, but for me that is just more leaning room and floorboard clearance That also is very minimal, (bike height.)
There are two areas that I would say I don't like as much:
-Two up riding is not as plush with the extra weight, and I find the bike more of a chore to balance coming to stops and negotiating parking spots etc. The skinnier front wheel just doesn't set you as flat and secure, (the very thing however that allows you to lean into curves much more securely.) If someone told me that their riding was 50% two up and the bike was going to be used for lot's of touring, I would probably suggest 18's or stock...leaning toward stock. The ride and handling is great as we all know.
-The awesome looking matching contrast cut (non floating) rotors don't seem to work quite as well with my stock Brembo brakes and black floating HD rotors. There is a small amount of slush on occasion during stops, again mostly when riding two up and the extra weight.
I am glad I made the change. I like how it rides, and love how it looks. There are far fewer trades off's of the type you typically have in the "give something to get something" world of style modifications that even I had expected. If I had been taking my own poll a few months ago re: this topic, I would have checked the "rides as good as the stock setup" box, on an overall basis. Having said that, the reason the choice was hard for me is because I really loved the ride with the 16"'s and I'm always a bit hesitant to move away from the tried and true on things like suspension and bike balance geometry. I've always found the SG or any of the touring line to have the magic carpet ride with an uncanny sense of balance. That I did not want to disturb. My biggest fear was lowering the bike, and honestly wish I didn't have the need to. The stock suspension on the 08 was fine and I liked the rear being lower than the front, but I'm one who believes the bike really needs to be lowered in the front to get that awesome HD designed "balance" back in check. Hope this helps you or anyone else considering making the change.
Here is a 21x18 assessment I posted a few threadsback:
To your question Seadog, I've been riding a 21x18 set up for about 6 weeks now. I had it lowered 1"with a Race Tech suspension kit while having the wheels installed. I had ridden the dealers SG without lowering and it rode fine at highway speeds but felt a bit tippy to me on slow speed turn in's. As far as the handling with the 21x18's andthe 1" lowering kit, my bike rides great. For better or worse I am one who rides 90+ at highway speeds with this setup and it's well planted. It turns into curves nicely with the Metzelers on, but it does have a 21" wheel on it so for me there is a need for a bit more leaning...no big deal again because of how stable the tires feel. You might find slow speed U turns to not be quite as easy at FIRST, but again not something that is hard to get used to. Again my ride, WITH the Race Tech kit is a very pliant, sportier feel than the 16's, and you do feel a bit more of the road, but it is very subtle. I'm very picky and tend to get a little obsessive, so even though I'm riding the 21's and enjoying them a lot, I'm usually making mental notes and I'm conscious of the change. Honestly, the ride is great. You do sit up a "little" higher, but for me that is just more leaning room and floorboard clearance
That also is very minimal, (bike height.) There are two areas that I would say I don't like as much:
-Two up riding is not as plush with the extra weight, and I find the bike more of a chore to balance coming to stops and negotiating parking spots etc. The skinnier front wheel just doesn't set you as flat and secure, (the very thing however that allows you to lean into curves much more securely.) If someone told me that their riding was 50% two up and the bike was going to be used for lot's of touring, I would probably suggest 18's or stock...leaning toward stock. The ride and handling is great as we all know.
-The awesome looking matching contrast cut (non floating) rotors don't seem to work quite as well with my stock Brembo brakes and black floating HD rotors. There is a small amount of slush on occasion during stops, again mostly when riding two up and the extra weight.
I am glad I made the change. I like how it rides, and love how it looks. There are far fewer trades off's of the type you typically have in the "give something to get something" world of style modifications that even I had expected. If I had been taking my own poll a few months ago re: this topic, I would have checked the "rides as good as the stock setup" box, on an overall basis. Having said that, the reason the choice was hard for me is because I really loved the ride with the 16"'s and I'm always a bit hesitant to move away from the tried and true on things like suspension and bike balance geometry. I've always found the SG or any of the touring line to have the magic carpet ride with an uncanny sense of balance. That I did not want to disturb. My biggest fear was lowering the bike, and honestly wish I didn't have the need to. The stock suspension on the 08 was fine and I liked the rear being lower than the front, but I'm one who believes the bike really needs to be lowered in the front to get that awesome HD designed "balance" back in check. Hope this helps you or anyone else considering making the change.
While I appreciate everyones opinion, the comment GliderXXX made regarding riding 2-up is very useful because75% of my riding is 2-up. This is really tough decision because the 21"/18" combo look is so awesome. decisions,decisions,decisions
I failed to mention one item that the shop owner commented on regarding the ride(the owner runs 18"/18" on his R/G),