"You better stay in shape if your going to lift a heavy bike off a stock kickstand all day with a 21" This made me laugh.

 

everyone to there own i say , if it floats your boat and you haven't stolen it off another biker then do as you will and enjoy your ride

 

One other factor in the "big wheel" craze would have to be road conditions. With the potholes, frost heaves, ruts, gravel patches, etc....common up here, a big wheel equipped bagger wouldn't last long. I lowered my first bagger('92 FLHS) 1-1/2" f/r, and it was the biggest bike mistake I've ever made. Bottomed out/topped out, ground floorboards, and frame hit pavement...My '09 FLTR is staying at stock height, and 18" f/r. Actually putting longer 13-1/2" shocks on the rear. I want all the suspension travel I can get.

I'm all for folks doing whatever the hell they please with their scoot, but I do fail to understand it when people with big wheels claim that it "handles/rides" as well/better than stock. Sorry, but you can't cut your suspension travel in half, alter your steering geometry, run a front tire with the profile of a rubber band, and in the case of the really big wheels, rake it out w/extended forks; and have the ride comfort and handling properties of a factory spec bike. It's just about mathematically impossible.

Just accept them for what they are.....cool looking bikes, that probably ride just fine, if you live where roads are in great shape. Again, I'm not knocking them at all, but at least be objective about it.

Jeff

 

There was a custom bagger at the Donnie Smith show with a 30" or maybe even bigger front tire. The reason I bring this up was the "donk" replies earlier. I don't know how the beast rides but the wife asked me how they kept the tread on the rear tire so clean. It actually shined! Probably from all the carpet riding. Anyway I bring this up because the name of the bike on its display card was "ReDONKulous" which it was!

 

To each his own - the vast majority of our customers put a 21" up front, especially those with touring models because it is the biggest they can go without doing any modifications.

 

I figure people can ride donks or 30' on harleys. I'm not paying for it, so what another person does to his bike is irrelevant. I'm sure the guys with custom wheels look at stock bike and think they look horrible.

 

I wouldn't have a bagger if not for a 21, just totally changes the look and makes them that much more appealing to me.

I believe the guys w/ big wheels are the younger dudes on a bagger mostly, the stock wheels are more for the older folks (geezer glide).

I'd agree the 26 and 30's (maybe 23's) w/ raked forks are more of a fad (that I think looks cool too) but 21's are common on other bikes and will be here to stay on baggers I think.

 

better handling with 21" and looks so nice... i love mine

 

I think youve got it, sharp bike btw.

 

Been riding my SG with a 21" for about 6 months and been very happy with it. It did feel little higher up front, but I didn't have a problem since I'm 5'11" and when stopped I could put both feet flat on the ground. I installed the Progressive lowering springs and added 1.25" worth of spacers which brought the bike back to stock ride height. Now it rides like stock.

The one thing I have noticed is that people that haven't been on a Touring bike with a 21" up front will say they suck, but they've never been on one.