30" Wheels On Baggers
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
turning into a heated debate here. I am fortunate in that I like all motorcycles. I just personally prefer an uncut frame and 18" front wheel on a bagger. I've raked out bikes in the past....but really like my bagger with the stock rake.
~Joe
~Joe
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
30" isn't my taste but I have seen some good looking 26" baggers. We all make our bikes to our liking. What you like might be ugly to others.
Not so sure about being hard to balance from another post earlier.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvEkhZhdWr4
Not so sure about being hard to balance from another post earlier.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvEkhZhdWr4
All she is doing is going in a straight line, don't mean much.
While I don't believe in ragging someone else's bike, 21" and bigger front wheels on any bike aren't for me.
They do look cool on baggers, but like bikes you see in shows, aren't as functional in the real world. I'm more into function over form.
I rode exactly one bike with a 21" front tire and could feel it starting to slide on the first corner I took. My own bike at the time had a 19" front tire. Both were Sportsters. I could really feel the difference.
A 21" tire doesn't have the footprint of a 16" or even a 19". My current bike has a 16" front and rear and really hooks up in the corners.
So, you guys with the 21" fronts have some cool looking bikes. But I'll be leaving you in the corners.
Don't get me started on apes...
JMO
Cage
They do look cool on baggers, but like bikes you see in shows, aren't as functional in the real world. I'm more into function over form.
I rode exactly one bike with a 21" front tire and could feel it starting to slide on the first corner I took. My own bike at the time had a 19" front tire. Both were Sportsters. I could really feel the difference.
A 21" tire doesn't have the footprint of a 16" or even a 19". My current bike has a 16" front and rear and really hooks up in the corners.
So, you guys with the 21" fronts have some cool looking bikes. But I'll be leaving you in the corners.
Don't get me started on apes...
JMO
Cage
I doubt you would leave me or my buddies in a corner and yes we have those comfortable apes that you talk crap about, but have probably only once or never ridden with.
So yes we look cool and can ride them anywhere without problems. If you like stock cool that's up to you, but don't dog anything you haven't tried. Seriously a sportster with a 21" as a comparison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Abilene, Texas
Talk about fkn haters...All I said was while I like the look of a 21" narrow front on a custom bagger, they're not for me.
Look at the first line of my post. I don't believe in dissing anybody's ride, American or otherwise.
I rode Jap sport bikes for 20 years before buying a Harley. So, I know a little bit about cornering.
It's not the diameter of the wheel that matters, it's the width. A larger diameter wheel actually has a longer contact patch. But it's the width that handles lateral forces. Most 21" tires are narrow.
My experience was going straight from one bike (19") to the other (21").
And as I said, JMO.
the world would indeed be a dull place if ice cream only came in vanilla
Cage
Look at the first line of my post. I don't believe in dissing anybody's ride, American or otherwise.
I rode Jap sport bikes for 20 years before buying a Harley. So, I know a little bit about cornering.
It's not the diameter of the wheel that matters, it's the width. A larger diameter wheel actually has a longer contact patch. But it's the width that handles lateral forces. Most 21" tires are narrow.
My experience was going straight from one bike (19") to the other (21").
And as I said, JMO.
the world would indeed be a dull place if ice cream only came in vanilla
Cage
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 1
From: East TN
I like em..have a 21" on deluxe came from a 19" sporty..only difference in handling is when Im going slow n turning but hey its also a bigger heavier bike..once its rollin feels just as good in the curves...as for 26/30's I like the look
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Lol man I love how everyone bashes on big wheels till they ride them. I have a 30 on my SG and I hope some of you guys are in Daytona we will go for a ride and tell me my 30 doesn't ride good. You all judge and say form over function maybe you should ride one you might now talk the same about it.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,347
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From: Michigan
Last edited by slothy; Feb 8, 2012 at 11:15 PM.
So, for science sake, same tire, same manufacturer, both on the same brand rims, 1/8" smaller in width. Pretty sure the contact patch allows me to drag bags and pipes. food for thought.