Pros / Cons of 21" front tire on RK?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Overall height does not change that much and I like the handling on mine better now. Take rotors off old wheel and put em on new one. Installs just like the old one and fits under stock fender. You will love it!
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 447
Likes: 5
From: Orange County, CA
Before
After
Nuff Said............... no?? well if you need more info..............
If your old rotors are polished you gotta get the Chrome ones to match. mine are DNA super spoke. if you have chrome lowers get the chrome spacer kit. around $35 from HD. once you start chroming out the front end its hard not to focus on anything that is not chrome. I just finished the chrome lowers and had to order the spacer kit.
also in my opinion the bike does dive into corners easier, but slow speed manuvering is a little tougher. because of the smaller side wall you will feel the road a little more, but its not that big a deal. well worth the change in looks comaperd to the change in handling.
After
Nuff Said............... no?? well if you need more info..............
If your old rotors are polished you gotta get the Chrome ones to match. mine are DNA super spoke. if you have chrome lowers get the chrome spacer kit. around $35 from HD. once you start chroming out the front end its hard not to focus on anything that is not chrome. I just finished the chrome lowers and had to order the spacer kit.
also in my opinion the bike does dive into corners easier, but slow speed manuvering is a little tougher. because of the smaller side wall you will feel the road a little more, but its not that big a deal. well worth the change in looks comaperd to the change in handling.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 4
Before
After
Nuff Said............... no?? well if you need more info..............
If your old rotors are polished you gotta get the Chrome ones to match. mine are DNA super spoke. if you have chrome lowers get the chrome spacer kit. around $35 from HD. once you start chroming out the front end its hard not to focus on anything that is not chrome. I just finished the chrome lowers and had to order the spacer kit.
also in my opinion the bike does dive into corners easier, but slow speed manuvering is a little tougher. because of the smaller side wall you will feel the road a little more, but its not that big a deal. well worth the change in looks comaperd to the change in handling.
After
Nuff Said............... no?? well if you need more info..............
If your old rotors are polished you gotta get the Chrome ones to match. mine are DNA super spoke. if you have chrome lowers get the chrome spacer kit. around $35 from HD. once you start chroming out the front end its hard not to focus on anything that is not chrome. I just finished the chrome lowers and had to order the spacer kit.
also in my opinion the bike does dive into corners easier, but slow speed manuvering is a little tougher. because of the smaller side wall you will feel the road a little more, but its not that big a deal. well worth the change in looks comaperd to the change in handling.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 447
Likes: 5
From: Orange County, CA
I've gotten quite a few comments about the bars and I always hate telling people I don't know who makes them. The guy I bought the bike from only called them "layback bars." that's all the info I got.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 59
From: Port Neches Texas
you will notice the ride change mainly in cornering, as stated earlier, hundred miles later you will not remember the stock ride, i lowered the front to maintain the geometry. let the high cost hold you back not the change in the ride.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
21"
Personally, the 21" is my choice. As for cornering and a long time sport rider, you will never leave the contact patch on a touring Harley....but you will lose rotating mass....A GOOD THING!....so unsprung weight helps at any cost
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,126
From: Western South Dakota
I never cared for the "skinny tire" look, and in fact put a 16 inch tire and fat boy fender on my 99 fxstc. It rode better too. I always say, "more rubber hittin' the road" and it leaves a bigger footprint too.
A 21 inch tire has about 1/8-th- 1/4 of an inch of footprint if that of rubber hittin' the road, where as a 16 inch probably has 1/2 inch- 3/4 of an inch of rubber hittin' the road.
To me on a bagger the 21 inch in the front, w/a wide tire in the rear looks like a chick with no rack on top and a big ***.. on the bottom..but some guys like that look.
A 21 inch tire has about 1/8-th- 1/4 of an inch of footprint if that of rubber hittin' the road, where as a 16 inch probably has 1/2 inch- 3/4 of an inch of rubber hittin' the road.
To me on a bagger the 21 inch in the front, w/a wide tire in the rear looks like a chick with no rack on top and a big ***.. on the bottom..but some guys like that look.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
Living in N.H.pot holes and rough secondary roads are a concern, 21" wheel
look cool but won't take a beating. I'am considering an 18"x 3.5" set for
my road king,better load rating and safer touring wheel then 21".
look cool but won't take a beating. I'am considering an 18"x 3.5" set for
my road king,better load rating and safer touring wheel then 21".