Larger front tire handle better?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 128
Changing the size of the tire or wheel on a motorcycle changes the geometry big time.
There is a good reason why the engineers that design these bikes call for a certain size of tire or wheel.
I am sure there are plenty of people who do make changes and swear to Buddha that it doesn't cause any problems.
You will never find a consensus for anything on a forum.
There is a good reason why the engineers that design these bikes call for a certain size of tire or wheel.
I am sure there are plenty of people who do make changes and swear to Buddha that it doesn't cause any problems.
You will never find a consensus for anything on a forum.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
I don't know for sure.
I look to the racing scene for answers to stuff like this, and all racers/sportbikes use small diameter wheels with a good bit of sidewall. Racers don't use low profile, although I think sidewalls are shrinking. Also, I want tires and wheels that roll through/over whatever my sometimes mixed up heads gets into. So, given rubber selection options, I think 16 & 18 or 18 & 18 with potholes-at-speed level sidewalls are the ticket
I look to the racing scene for answers to stuff like this, and all racers/sportbikes use small diameter wheels with a good bit of sidewall. Racers don't use low profile, although I think sidewalls are shrinking. Also, I want tires and wheels that roll through/over whatever my sometimes mixed up heads gets into. So, given rubber selection options, I think 16 & 18 or 18 & 18 with potholes-at-speed level sidewalls are the ticket
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 622
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
I personally like the old school look of the 16" tires. The rear wheel on my 2000 road king is a little skinny by today's standards but pulling the primary and changing the belt and pulley's is more than I'm willing to do just for looks. Maybe down the road...
For handling I'm looking to install a set of 49mm tubes, trees and cartridges adapted to my older bike with Motorcycle Metal parts.
For handling I'm looking to install a set of 49mm tubes, trees and cartridges adapted to my older bike with Motorcycle Metal parts.
Last edited by skypilot_one; Aug 13, 2014 at 07:23 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
I see several have commented on my earlier post attributing the handling I was trying to explain to the new '14 front end improvements. While all of that is exactly true and is indeed reason for most of the handling improvement, I think maybe I wasn't quite getting my point across that I was going for. What I was trying to describe was how much weight it felt like was unloaded off the front end with the 19" tires and wheels vs the 18" I had previously. With the 18"'s if I had my front wheel in any other position other than straight while using the front brakes and coming to a stop.....it was really difficult to keep the bike upright. With the 19" setup I can be turning while coming to a stop using only the front brakes without any problem. The new forks and triple tree has nothing to do with this, weight has everything to do with it. I'm sure most of the weight loss can be attributed to the rims, but the tire weigh less as well.
Last edited by Roger That; Aug 13, 2014 at 07:56 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
Exactly my point and true on both. The rougher ride is due to the low profile of the 19"'s. But the lighter weight and firmer tire sidewalls does indeed contribute to some of the handling improvement.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
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Well, I have tired all of the above combinations, but not all on the same motorcycle. Here is my take on the answer.
2013 Road Glide FLTRX
Stock 18x3.5 wheel with 130/70/18 Dunlop tire. The bike rides fine although I dislike the stock tire due to hard hard it is. Switched to a 21x3.25 front wheel with a 120/70/21 Michelin Commander II tire. I prefer the ride of the 21" due to the fact that I get extra ground clearance from the added height of the wheel, and I much prefer the narrower 120/70/21 tire due to its rounder shape and superior handling characteristics. The bike was kept at stock height. Lowering the front end in order to compensate for added wheel height is something that makes no sense to me. The bike rides great. Next came the 19x3 front wheel with a Dunlop 130/60/19 tire. The bike rode fine but I much preferred the 21 and went back to it after about 5000 miles as a result.
The bike is more nimble with the 21" wheel in my opinion and works much better for my aggressive canyon riding style. I like to lean my bike way over and prefer not to scrape it on the ground if possible. As far as a slimmer sidewall and a firmer ride, I don't really feel this. I run Progressive Mono tubes in the front end at stock height and 13" rear spring shocks and still scrape my lower head pipe on occasion going around an off camber corner.
If I had to do it all over again I would still get the 21" front wheel. I am still running the stock size wheel on the rear as well.
Everyone's opinion on how a wheel affects handling is different and everyone is seeking something different out of their ride. I am looking for something that looks great, handles great and increases ground clearance and have gotten all three in one package deal.
2013 Road Glide FLTRX
Stock 18x3.5 wheel with 130/70/18 Dunlop tire. The bike rides fine although I dislike the stock tire due to hard hard it is. Switched to a 21x3.25 front wheel with a 120/70/21 Michelin Commander II tire. I prefer the ride of the 21" due to the fact that I get extra ground clearance from the added height of the wheel, and I much prefer the narrower 120/70/21 tire due to its rounder shape and superior handling characteristics. The bike was kept at stock height. Lowering the front end in order to compensate for added wheel height is something that makes no sense to me. The bike rides great. Next came the 19x3 front wheel with a Dunlop 130/60/19 tire. The bike rode fine but I much preferred the 21 and went back to it after about 5000 miles as a result.
The bike is more nimble with the 21" wheel in my opinion and works much better for my aggressive canyon riding style. I like to lean my bike way over and prefer not to scrape it on the ground if possible. As far as a slimmer sidewall and a firmer ride, I don't really feel this. I run Progressive Mono tubes in the front end at stock height and 13" rear spring shocks and still scrape my lower head pipe on occasion going around an off camber corner.
If I had to do it all over again I would still get the 21" front wheel. I am still running the stock size wheel on the rear as well.
Everyone's opinion on how a wheel affects handling is different and everyone is seeking something different out of their ride. I am looking for something that looks great, handles great and increases ground clearance and have gotten all three in one package deal.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
I went from a 16" front with a Michelin to a 18" with a Michelin.
The 18" feels a little more precise in handling at speed but seems slightly less stable at very low speed=more "tippy" ?
I feel the road more with less rubber on the 18" and potholes and large bumps are harsher.
It seems like it is easier to lock the front tire now when trying to do it.
I was riding the bike every day before the swap and after so was very aware of the change.
The difference was very slight and I bet most riders could not truthfully notice a difference.
The 18" feels a little more precise in handling at speed but seems slightly less stable at very low speed=more "tippy" ?
I feel the road more with less rubber on the 18" and potholes and large bumps are harsher.
It seems like it is easier to lock the front tire now when trying to do it.
I was riding the bike every day before the swap and after so was very aware of the change.
The difference was very slight and I bet most riders could not truthfully notice a difference.