Problems with 21" Front Wheel with ABS?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 345
Likes: 3
Problems with 21" Front Wheel with ABS?
For those of you that have put a 21" front wheel on your ABS equiped bikes, have you had any problems? Does the ABS operate as normal? I'm going to be purchasing a new bike very soon and I'm trying to decide if I want ABS or not.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
This one has been done to death. Its a shame that the search function doesnt work for short words like ABS.
It will not change anything as long as the overall diameter of the tyre is the same. If the overall diameter of the tyre is larger then the computer will get less data about wheel speed (due to lower rpm) and there may be a slight loss in ABS performance.
Considering that the HD abs system isnt the sharpest around then it is unlikely that you will be able to tell the difference.
Although I dont like my ABS and its unplugged I think ABS is a good thing for the majority of riders.
I advise people to get it because if you have it and dont like it you can disable it in about 20 sec by disconnecting the front wheel sensor behind the nacelle, whereas of you dont have it and want it can not be retrofitted.
It will not change anything as long as the overall diameter of the tyre is the same. If the overall diameter of the tyre is larger then the computer will get less data about wheel speed (due to lower rpm) and there may be a slight loss in ABS performance.
Considering that the HD abs system isnt the sharpest around then it is unlikely that you will be able to tell the difference.
Although I dont like my ABS and its unplugged I think ABS is a good thing for the majority of riders.
I advise people to get it because if you have it and dont like it you can disable it in about 20 sec by disconnecting the front wheel sensor behind the nacelle, whereas of you dont have it and want it can not be retrofitted.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 673
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte NC
21" wheel and ABS
This subject has been visited alot but let's think about this again. First of all how can you possibly have a 21" rim/tire combo that is the same diameter as stock???????? Especially when it 08 they had 16" rims and tire combo's. To suggest that they would be the same is crazy with all due respect. I have asked this question many times but no one has trully been able to say if there is any actual difference. I am not talking about percieved differences here but actual. With the 21" wheel the wheel / rim diameter is different than stock....fact. The computer was set up for a given wheel rim combo,
16",17",18" depending on year...fact. If you change diameters there must be a difference unless the computer is able to handle minor changes in the original parameters. I'm no rocket scientist but once again this seems logical to me. Does this have a percieved difference in your braking system ...it would seem not based on the amount of 21" rims out there. In actuality is there a difference but it is minor and goes unoticed...maybe.
16",17",18" depending on year...fact. If you change diameters there must be a difference unless the computer is able to handle minor changes in the original parameters. I'm no rocket scientist but once again this seems logical to me. Does this have a percieved difference in your braking system ...it would seem not based on the amount of 21" rims out there. In actuality is there a difference but it is minor and goes unoticed...maybe.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 345
Likes: 3
This one has been done to death. Its a shame that the search function doesnt work for short words like ABS.
It will not change anything as long as the overall diameter of the tyre is the same. If the overall diameter of the tyre is larger then the computer will get less data about wheel speed (due to lower rpm) and there may be a slight loss in ABS performance.
Considering that the HD abs system isnt the sharpest around then it is unlikely that you will be able to tell the difference.
Although I dont like my ABS and its unplugged I think ABS is a good thing for the majority of riders.
I advise people to get it because if you have it and dont like it you can disable it in about 20 sec by disconnecting the front wheel sensor behind the nacelle, whereas of you dont have it and want it can not be retrofitted.
It will not change anything as long as the overall diameter of the tyre is the same. If the overall diameter of the tyre is larger then the computer will get less data about wheel speed (due to lower rpm) and there may be a slight loss in ABS performance.
Considering that the HD abs system isnt the sharpest around then it is unlikely that you will be able to tell the difference.
Although I dont like my ABS and its unplugged I think ABS is a good thing for the majority of riders.
I advise people to get it because if you have it and dont like it you can disable it in about 20 sec by disconnecting the front wheel sensor behind the nacelle, whereas of you dont have it and want it can not be retrofitted.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 345
Likes: 3
Great! This is exactly the kind of information that I was looking for. Any other owners out there that have ABS and a 21" front wheel?
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 2
From: NW Arkansas
I've got a 21" front and ABS. I haven't noticed any issues but I don't go around locking up the brakes either. I thought the ABS light on the dash would indicate a malfunction with the system, mine doesn't stay lit after I take off.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 345
Likes: 3
Has the ABS ever kicked in during hard braking since you put on your 21" wheel?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,307
Likes: 53
From: California
I have 21" on both my '08 and '09. I have grabbed a handful of brake (and foot full) on the '08 and the ABS did exactly what it was suppose to do (and pulsated just like on my truck). No issues. This has happened twice on my '08, but I have not had to on my '09 as of yet. I have faith that if I do, it will perform just fine.