17" vs 18" front tire
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Stage III
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
17" vs 18" front tire
Thinking of going to chrome wheels on my 09 Street Glide. If I go with the 18" front wheel like on the newer bikes does it change the handling or ride any? Seems like the lower profile tires would ride harder to me.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 434
Likes: 1
From: Port St Lucie, FL
I changed mine to an 18" from a 2010 SG, and didn't notice any difference. The only reason I did this is 'cause I needed a new rear tire last year & found a full set of new take off rims & tires for the same price it would have cost me for the rear tire & mounting. So I bought the set & did the swap myself. Now when I need new tires, I just take in my spare set of rims & have them mounted, then take home & swap them out.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 4
From: Alabama
I went from a 17" to a 18" front rim on my Road King.
The 18" made little to no difference in ride and handling, but I think the 18" looks better.
When I installed my chrome front end I used SE heavy fork oil and that made much more difference in ride than the 18" rim did.
The 18" made little to no difference in ride and handling, but I think the 18" looks better.
When I installed my chrome front end I used SE heavy fork oil and that made much more difference in ride than the 18" rim did.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 27
From: florida swamp
You won't have any problem. The 130mm or 140mm 18" tire has plenty of side wall height for a smooth ride. The diameter will be very close to the stock tire so handling won't be affected.
Last edited by carpetride; Jul 11, 2011 at 10:41 AM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 263
Likes: 1
From: Bastrop, LA
I went with an 18" front wheel on my 09 SG. I also went with a 17" wheel and 20 mm tire on the rear. My complete set-up should be in next week. I researched all this for a few weeks before I made my decision. From what I gathered, this will not cause much change at all in the ride.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,788
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From: Tennessee
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
i went from 16 to 18 , the narrower tire sidewall on the 18 made the ride a little stiffer. Im sure with 17 to 18 would be even less perceptible.,
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