Any advantage to 18" wheels?

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Oct 21, 2013 | 03:21 PM

#11

skratch

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 20,616

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From: anacoco, la

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Star

What about tire selection? Or, if I am stranded at a dealer and need a tire; HD dealers carry 18" tires?

hd has stock wheels/tires in 16, 17, 18 and 19 inch sizes. now do they carry them all in stock? that is the question.....

Oct 21, 2013 | 06:27 PM

#12

Road Star

Thread Starter

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 6,673

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From: Orange County

Trying to determine if I should go with some Renegades, for 800, with tires.

Nor sure if it's a screaming deal?

Oct 21, 2013 | 06:44 PM

#13

hd4l

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 205

Likes: 5

From: NJ

I just upgraded from a 16 to an 18 in front.Like every one said they look so much better.

Oct 21, 2013 | 06:45 PM

#14

Dozer40

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 1,912

Likes: 328

From: Arizona

If your interested in saving some loot. If you look around, there are a lot of used stock alloy wheels floating around from folks with a lot of dough and upgrade to custom wheels.

Oct 21, 2013 | 08:43 PM

#15

offthewall

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 2,674

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From: New Jersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by jus2anoyu

The selling point for me is more lean angle. Taller tires mean you scrape your boards less in a curve. I'm 6'5" so reaching the ground isn't an issue.

If you get the proper size, the tire sidewall is a lower profile so that the overall diameter should be the same (or very very close) to stock. Otherwise your speedo would be off.

Oct 22, 2013 | 08:37 AM

#16

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

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From: Bedford UK

Harley has used 16", 17" and 18" front wheels in recent years and they all have a similar rolling diameter. The tyres are all 130mm wide, but the sidewall is reduced with each larger rim. An 18" wheel may look bigger, but that is due to the rim diameter, not the tyre diameter.

Oct 22, 2013 | 08:59 PM

#17

Bumpandrun

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 2,747

Likes: 419

From: Vermont

Changed to 18 from 16 on front..... 18 looks better and is 2013. 16 rode better.18 a bit stiffer.But as most have said tiny bit better slow speed.. No change in speedo as they were both the same outside diameter. (old bike mech speedo)

Oct 22, 2013 | 09:25 PM

#18

bagman1

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 4,999

Likes: 55

From: Bay Area

My son went from 16-18 on his FHLX. They look better, the OD is almost the same and they do not last as long and they always seem to have to be ordered (at least with ME 880). Different parts of the country will have different sizes readily available. The 16 IMO is going to ride a little softer because of a more rubber sidewall.
Before you buy call around to a few places maybe in a another state and see if they always stock the 18" size you want, Im thinking they wont.