Front Wheel
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Great Lakes State
I have a 21 on mine. I am going to go against the 21 handles fine at stock height theory.
When I first put on the 21 I could not stand the fall over effect effect, When you raise the axle height by 1 1/2" it changes the geometry plain and simple.
By lowering the front end 2" I've got the handling pretty good now but the ride, not so much. I am going to try and raise it up 1/2" to 3/4" hope to improve the ride and not hurt the handling much.
My riding style is curves, I don't judge the handling by strait line speed. It has to handle in the turns. a 21" wheel requires a lot more input to control turn in and out of the curves. I am really getting used to it now and am really attacking the corners pretty good.
If I had the make a decision right now as to what wheel I could have for the the rest of the time I owned my bike, I would take the 21" off and go back to a 18" or maybe 19"
JMHO
When I first put on the 21 I could not stand the fall over effect effect, When you raise the axle height by 1 1/2" it changes the geometry plain and simple.
By lowering the front end 2" I've got the handling pretty good now but the ride, not so much. I am going to try and raise it up 1/2" to 3/4" hope to improve the ride and not hurt the handling much.
My riding style is curves, I don't judge the handling by strait line speed. It has to handle in the turns. a 21" wheel requires a lot more input to control turn in and out of the curves. I am really getting used to it now and am really attacking the corners pretty good.
If I had the make a decision right now as to what wheel I could have for the the rest of the time I owned my bike, I would take the 21" off and go back to a 18" or maybe 19"
JMHO
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
The problem with asking people you don;t know this question is you don;t know how they ride, where they ride, or what they consider a change in handling. If you ride straight roads loaded down with a passenger all day longer your opinion will probably vary from that of someone who rides canyon's and enjoys cornering at high rates of speed. It is a very subjective question. I do my best to educate people with the facts but in teh end the decision is ultimately yours.
If you want to spend the money on a wheel and want it to stand out and really make your bike look great my opinion is a 21" is the simplest way to do this. Consider for a minute that on a bagger with dual disc that the rotors cover much of both sides of teh wheels unless you go to a single disc conversion (which I do all the time) and ask yourself if the wheel is worth the money. To many it is but an 18" wheel is obscured from view mostly by the rotors. With a 21" you have a lot more wheel to see and it stands out much better as well.
Obviously this is a personal choice but if I am shelling out the cash for a rim I want it to stand out. I never concern myself with "facts" from others on teh internet. All that does much of the time is make me second guess my decision. This reminds me of people who ask what height bars to get. Some guy tells me 20"a apes are comfortable for him. I know for a fact that they will not be comfortable for me.
Subjective. Subjective. Subjective. Whatever you choose may it be the right decision for you.
If you want to spend the money on a wheel and want it to stand out and really make your bike look great my opinion is a 21" is the simplest way to do this. Consider for a minute that on a bagger with dual disc that the rotors cover much of both sides of teh wheels unless you go to a single disc conversion (which I do all the time) and ask yourself if the wheel is worth the money. To many it is but an 18" wheel is obscured from view mostly by the rotors. With a 21" you have a lot more wheel to see and it stands out much better as well.
Obviously this is a personal choice but if I am shelling out the cash for a rim I want it to stand out. I never concern myself with "facts" from others on teh internet. All that does much of the time is make me second guess my decision. This reminds me of people who ask what height bars to get. Some guy tells me 20"a apes are comfortable for him. I know for a fact that they will not be comfortable for me.
Subjective. Subjective. Subjective. Whatever you choose may it be the right decision for you.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
On the subject of front wheel size I think there is a compromise to be struck. Would I install a 21" one and then set off to cross the Continent, 2-up and loaded with luggage, close on the factory GVWR? Emphatically no! 
Harleybike, I suggest you work out what use you want to make of your bike, which can help decide what size wheel is likely to be suitable. If you only ride solo your options are wider IMHO than if you mostly ride 2-up and are both heavy!
It would also help us to know how much of your money we can spend.....
Harleybike, I suggest you work out what use you want to make of your bike, which can help decide what size wheel is likely to be suitable. If you only ride solo your options are wider IMHO than if you mostly ride 2-up and are both heavy!
It would also help us to know how much of your money we can spend.....
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Great Lakes State
On the subject of front wheel size I think there is a compromise to be struck. Would I install a 21" one and then set off to cross the Continent, 2-up and loaded with luggage, close on the factory GVWR? Emphatically no!
Harleybike, I suggest you work out what use you want to make of your bike, which can help decide what size wheel is likely to be suitable. If you only ride solo your options are wider IMHO than if you mostly ride 2-up and are both heavy!
It would also help us to know how much of your money we can spend.....
Harleybike, I suggest you work out what use you want to make of your bike, which can help decide what size wheel is likely to be suitable. If you only ride solo your options are wider IMHO than if you mostly ride 2-up and are both heavy!
It would also help us to know how much of your money we can spend.....
I have had the bike for 2 years, I'm 205 and do not have a passenger most of the time. Any passenger would be 130-150 range. Solo local riding for most of those 2 years, even if highway it has been local. No long distance riding (as of yet and nothing in the near future planned) I'm not the long haul cross country rider (so far) that a lot of you all are. I'm not trying to "show" the bike, but I like chrome and I like some of the wheels out there. You all can spend 12-1400 ish. No rear wheel at this time. This is not a priority but a wish list that I am getting closer to purchasing. Thanks.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
I had a 21 on my '99 RG. It looked good and the stretched bags hit down at stock height before there was any handling issue. I am also 220 and ride a lot of twisy stuff solo at a good pace. Had to get rid of that bike because the bags kept me from enjoying them. The 21 was fine at stock height.
Painted the rear stock wheel black be it still looked stupid.
Painted the rear stock wheel black be it still looked stupid.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
ROFLMAO Bro...
I have had the bike for 2 years, I'm 205 and do not have a passenger most of the time. Any passenger would be 130-150 range. Solo local riding for most of those 2 years, even if highway it has been local. No long distance riding (as of yet and nothing in the near future planned) I'm not the long haul cross country rider (so far) that a lot of you all are. I'm not trying to "show" the bike, but I like chrome and I like some of the wheels out there. You all can spend 12-1400 ish. No rear wheel at this time. This is not a priority but a wish list that I am getting closer to purchasing. Thanks.
I have had the bike for 2 years, I'm 205 and do not have a passenger most of the time. Any passenger would be 130-150 range. Solo local riding for most of those 2 years, even if highway it has been local. No long distance riding (as of yet and nothing in the near future planned) I'm not the long haul cross country rider (so far) that a lot of you all are. I'm not trying to "show" the bike, but I like chrome and I like some of the wheels out there. You all can spend 12-1400 ish. No rear wheel at this time. This is not a priority but a wish list that I am getting closer to purchasing. Thanks.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Great Lakes State
I had a 21 on my '99 RG. It looked good and the stretched bags hit down at stock height before there was any handling issue. I am also 220 and ride a lot of twisy stuff solo at a good pace. Had to get rid of that bike because the bags kept me from enjoying them. The 21 was fine at stock height.
Painted the rear stock wheel black be it still looked stupid.
Painted the rear stock wheel black be it still looked stupid.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Great Lakes State
ROFLMAO....Again. Ok, bring it. Sho me the wheels....Hehe. I have a couple I am looking at, I like the forward sweeping 6 spoke...Aggressive looking. Named differently on a couple diff sites.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Talldog
Touring Models
11
Jul 31, 2013 10:22 AM
Johnny-5
Sportster Models
3
Jun 16, 2011 05:25 PM