Why You SHOULD NOT put 21" wheels on your Harley!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ส.ค. 2024
- In this episode, I share 6 reasons why you may not want to upgrade to a 21" front wheel.
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Thanks for sharing this perspective. Ive never considered changing stock wheels but obviously there are some points to think about before making such a change. Ride safe and enjoy. 👊✌️👍
All solid reasons to ponder if you want to make the switch. I appreciate you telling the truth about your experience.
This video is spot on brother..was at the Harley dealership the other day and was told the same thing from other riders,I have a 2020 roadglide special with the chopped engine guard,if u get a 21 rim...when u hit a bump or pothole of any size..the middle of the fender will hit the center of the crash bar mount,especilly if u have the fang fairing installed like on the CVO, the only way it will work is to upgrade or change the front suspension....period.
Thanks Cue! Your insight is always appreciated!
Great job explaining several reasons for not changing your wheel size. My concern has always been tire availability when traveling cross country and less handling performance. See ya this weekend.
I played your video again, you truly care about your audience. Good heart, I appreciate that a lot. Thank You again Cue.
Thank you!
I own a 2019 CVO road glide with 21”wheel, took it off put 18” front wheel , it handles sooo much better, added race tech suspension. I don’t feel every bump, and not as worried of pot holes. This video is accurate.
Thanks for the feedback! I agree that the 18 is more comfortable. One thing I like about the 21 is the added lean angle. I was a little worried at first but quickly got over it and now I actually like it
Very imformative my friend, this is why when it comes to wheels,tires and suspension I stay with the recommended specs, it may not be HD parts, it is one way to avoid minor problems as you explained. Ride safe brother!
I really enjoy watching your videos, as you offer some great advice and explanations of why or why not to make changes to your bike. Listening to you is just easy. Not sure if you're profession is teaching but you'd be a great teacher. Thank you for your videos!
Thanks for the feedback!
21 road glide limited here. 18 inch on both wheels. I'm happy with them I'm used to the standard 16 rear and 17 front. It handles well.
Thanks Cue. Good knowledge share! I've never been a fan of the low profile tires but never considered the effect on your ride.
Interesting take mate. I'm running a 23" low profile on my Road King but I went into it knowing that I needed rake, suspension, fluid upgrades and changes. As for the tires, holy crap , glad you're okay mate! That would have dumped more than the brakes for me!
Very informative! Thank you for sharing your knowledge
Great video,thank you for all the excellent information ! 👍🏼
Thanks for the video brother! This is a big help!
I'm rolling a front 21 on stock suspension. Maybe it will hit me when I'm older but I don't mind the added "road feel". Ride safe ya'll!
My 53 year old back doesn't like a harsh ride!
The added "road feel" is not because you went with a bigger wheel, it is because of the lower profile tire. There is not as much sidewall to "cushion" the bumps. Adding different suspension wont change the outcome. Its just like in cars and trucks, the effects of lower profile tires are identicl to a bike.
@@Venomized95 I haven't experienced any issues with handling or slow speed riding or riding through twisty roads. My biggest issue is the kickstand (which is an east fix)
Great content Cue! Very informative.
Thanks Cue ! Very helpful info
I appreciate this video as I was thinking of putting one of these rims on my 2016 Road king thank you. This was very helpful.
Glad it helped
Thank you for this information. I’ll keep my stock rims.
Great Vid Cue ! Very informative
I have run a 21" wheel for on every Harley and Victory I have owned over a 20 year span and have never had a problem with a 21 and actually found the ride to be better in most cases.
I'm towering at a whopping 5' 8" so I think I'll stick with the stock wheel height. I do like the look of the 21" wheel filling in the fender but again, I like the way my RG handles as stock.
Thanks for the honest info in this video.
Boy you coming with the bangers!
Excellent - appreciate the honest comprehensive look.🇺🇸👍💥
Thank you,,,so glad that I watched your video before buying,, saved me from making some mistakes
I like my 21" front wheel. My biggest regret is not considering the weight of the wheel. The other issues are fixable
Straight up honest, knowledge, and around my age.
I'LL BE FOLLOWING & PLEASURE MEETING YOU.
Sincerely,
Doc AJ
Thanks for the feedback!!
Good vid, just subscribed.
Yeah, been thinking of making the change. I don’t plan on racing my SGS. Looks & tunes. Appreciate you.
Thanks for the feedback.
Excellent informative video. Thank You !
Thank you for watching!
i went the other route and put the 18" 150 on the front of my Road Glide. absolutely love it. the ride is smooth and it eats up imperfections in the road.
I want to ride a bike with a fat front tire. I can only imagine that the ride has to be butter smooth!
NOTHING BUT HONEST FACTS HERE! Thanks for sharing man!
My RGS came with 19” and 18” wheels. I changed to a 21” 4 years ago and haven’t had any issues at all.
I’ve done the big wheel bagger in previous builds and will happily stick w the stock FW great video keep up the grind
Thanks bro!
@@RidingandWrenching absolutely
Great information Cue!
Thank you sir. Excellent presentation.
great review Q, things I didn't think about..
This clip have important information 👌...thank you buddy
Great video.Thanks for the honesty. Guess I’m old think I’ll keep it stock . Chubby guys like me can use more suspension wherever they can get it
You might love the upgraded suspension!
I like the way you are so detailed in your analysis of a major change. I had stock 17 rear and 21 in the front. Hated that tire mainly because it was very narrow. So I changed out to a 17 with a wider rim and now she handles like a dream. The rake will change so that is a consideration also.
Thanks for the feedback! I have no intention on changing the rake. I don't want a longer wheelbase....it would screw up the riding dynamics too much for my liking
@@RidingandWrenching My stock wheelbase with the 21 inch wheel was 5.2 inch trail. That's actually great for going straight. When I put the 17 on the front it went down to about 4.29 trail which in the world of biking is GREAT!
Good informative video, Thanks
I appreciate this information my man!!! I think because of your video I made my decision to upgrade my wheels on my RG ST but keeping size 19! Thank you my man!
Can't go wrong with the 19". I considered it, but I allowed myself to be influenced by others
@@RidingandWrenching I 100% appreciate your opinion on this! I did that too but now doing my due diligence with research because it is a nice chunk of change! I can’t wait to get my wheels! Should be by next week!
txs for your expertise! saved me a decission!
a laser w return buzzer ... will give you about 2 seconds warning of above ground obstacle warning!
First time viewer. Really enjoyed your video. It was very informative. Also looking forward to the piano video. New sub. God bless.
Thank you! Sadly, I sold my piano prior to moving into my new house (I didn't like it anyway). I had a tall upright piano. I want a 6.5' (ish) grand piano but I don't currently have room. We will be moving to Georgia in a couple of years. I plan to get my grand piano at that time. In the mean time I have a few recordings that I plan to use in future videos
Nice vid . Love that Stang in your garage
Thanks! I am an X New Yorker too. It's a nice place to visit....but I'm glad I'm gone!
Thanks for sharing, I was thinking about upgrading the wheel size 👍👍👍
It's not a bad thing, you just need to go in "eyes wide open".
Sharing personal experiences is a great thing. Thanks for your input on the subject.
Thank you for sharing your experience, it helps with me my choice.
It's been a few months for me since my install. The only remaining issue is the lean angle, but I found a fix that doesn't require a change of jiffy stand. I'll share that in a future video
Cue thanks for the info. Same wheels and tires on my Street Glide. Being this my first Harley Davidson I haven’t noticed the difference yet. I smashed an armadillo a few weeks ago thank God no issues.
Yikes! Glad you're ok. I've managed to hit a bird (actually the bird hit me) other than that I've only hit that mystery object that destroyed both my tires
Great video Cue! Love your content and wasn't planning on getting a 21" wheel but NOW I'm sure it would not be for me. I just love touring too much! Keep up the excellent video's.
Thanks! It's definitely more than just putting on a bigger wheel.
My sg is set up to be a go bike not a sat nite parking lot show bike got the factory set up for the rim and tires and I carve thru the twistees no prob great video
You almost change my mind in changing thanks for additional informations
Go with your first thought! I'm happy that I did the upgrade. I plan to do a 1 year follow up video sometime soon.
Great video and very informative thank you
Thank you! I plan to do an update for this video soon. Stay tuned!
one other thing about the wheel issue that you mention about the mileage being off means it quite possibly can be throwing off the speedometer as well which in some place can get ya into trouble that get really picky about speeders. kinda like the way how going up or down in tire sizes with cars/trucks will throw off the speedometer if you don't match the factory specs with rims and tire size..
The speedometer is off by about 3 or 4mph at higher speeds. It's weird because it isn't consistent. At lower speeds (below 40) it's accurate.
Thanks for the advice very helpful
Glad it was helpful!
This is a great video thanks
Great video sir and hit my interest in moving to the 21 inch tire.
Thank you!
Thx.very interesting and informative..
Good review thank you.
Excellent video. You make very good and valid points to think about when looking at different wheels vs keeping stock wheels. Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing your experience on YT.
Thank you!
getting ready to install rc laguna on my front 17x3.5 its right under 13 lbs
great video.
I totally agree,I have a 2020 roadglide special, I prefer bigger tires on the front, looking at fat tire kits for my bike,same size as back ,equal.
I put the fat front tire on mine and I love it!! a little heavier going into curves but no noticeable difference for me at slow speeds BUT I've never been on anything thats as stable riding down the highway at 80
I want to ride a bike with a fat front tire. They look cool and I bet they ride nice too.
Right. The meltzer tire is good
Loving your content. I roll with a 21 on my road king and can agree with this. Keep producing quality content!
Thank you!
Hello, thank you for this info. I did not see this before and just changed mine out on RK FLHR this weekend. I do need to get a longer kick stand for sure. I need now to search for one because it did make the lean different on the stand. Thank you again.
You can order a longer kick stand from JP Cycles. www.jpcycles.com/product/performance-machine-1-extended-kickstand-for-harley-touring-2007-2017
The other option is a kick stand block from Amazon amzn.to/3rpxPkm
Thank you again!!
Great video.
Nice video.
Nice bike.
Thank you.
One of the best HD videos I have watched in a long time. Thanks for taking the time to put it up. CAHDBiker.
That's a great compliment! I appreciate that!
I have a 21” wheel on my 2014 HD street glide mine runs perfect!
Great video and info. God bless n ride safe.
Great video bro and if they had rotated ur bearing on the front rim the valve steam would be on the right sight of the wheel its a simple fix 👍🏾
it's an easy fix. I'll address it when I get new tires.
I live in a state with some of the most horrible condition and potholed roads as rated by Truckers, and a fat 130/90/16(at least!) is the only way to go! I had a friend who went over a storm drain grate with a broken slat and his 100/90/21 dropped in that extra-wide 'slot' and stopped his bike dead, putting him over the bars. I see lots of bent rims from riders who run low-profile tires too!
And 21's are downright scary on rain-grooved roads or steel-grate bridges! 🥺
FWIW: If ya run laced (spokes) wheels and tubes, PJ1's Balance Plus works great! Originally designed for dirt bikes, it's work great in all my spoked rims/tires for over 30yrs.
Good info. Thanks.
Thank you
good advice -telling it like it is
Ive been running 21’s on all my bikes for quite some time. While everything youre saying is true, to each there own. All of these reasons can and many should be addressed when changing to this size wheel. IMO, the most important one being the front suspension internals and the ride height of the bike increasing when moving to a 21. Both of these can be addressed with an upgraded front suspension and thats what Ive done in every bike that has the 21 on it. I believe they ride better than stock in some ways and not as good in others. To each their own. Ride safe!
What did you do for the jiffy stand (if anything). I ordered a longer stand, but I saw someone bolt a small block to the bottom of the jiffy stand
@@RidingandWrenching I have never done anything to the kickstands on my bikes for this. They work fine as-is.
Some great info. Ive thought about a 21 on my RKS, but this just solidified the reason to keep the 19". Probably just do a wrapped fender.
If I had the 19" I probably wouldn't have purchased these wheels. My Street Glide has 19" and it looks pretty cool. A wrapped fender would look good
@@RidingandWrenching thanks!
Great job on your video
Thank you!
Hey Que, I put a progressive lowering kit and that kit brought my bike down a 1inch in the front. You can do 2 inches and I also used a heavier oil as well. Great video
How did the lowering kit affect the ride quality?
@@RidingandWrenching my bike ride as if I still have a 19 inch wheel 🛞 on it.
@@kellybgliding I bought a longer kick stand. I'll let you know how it turns out. One thing I like about the higher ride height is more lean angle.
I put wheels on my Heritage and I was told by several Dealers not to go to a 21 because of the same reasons you mentioned plus it could throw off the ecm, So I went from 16's to 18's and it was fine, the bike now takes the same tire as the road king and I think it handles a bit better
Awesome. Thanks for sharing!
16s are the best. On a softail chassis, I guess nothing really matters.
Great video with a lot of good considerations to take into account if you’re thinking about upgrading your wheels. I will put two things out there. #1. Your miles you travel vs. what the odometer says could be because the standard in the US says that motorcycle gauges only have to be within 10% of true value. That means that your speedometer and miles may be off by up to 10%. #2. Is that your front wheel is on backwards. If it was on the proper way your 90 degree valve stem would be pointing the right way. The tread of the tire is made for water evacuation. The tips of the tread in the center of the tire should make contact with the road first and then force the water through the channel and out the side of the tire. The way yours is currently installed would actually force water into the center of the tire and could be a hydroplaning hazard while riding in the rain.
The wheel is mounted on the bike correctly. The stem is facing the wrong way. It will be an easy fix. I double checked my tire. The directional arrow on the sidewall indicated I have it mounted correctly.
Great toys sir nice bike nice mustang! Godspeed!
I did a 21 on my other Harley. Now I just stick WTH stock..👍
CUE! Thank You! Very informative! Again thank you big time! God Bless Be Safe Brother!
Thank you!
Great video. I saw a gentleman riding a Harley on I-55 the other day with what must have been a 24 inch front wheel on it. It was a beautiful bike, all chromed out and painted darkish teal. It looked good, but that wheel's gotta make it uncomfortable as all hell going over bumps.
I have never ridden one of those big wheel baggers. 21" is the largest tire that you can put on a bike without making other changes (so I've been told). As much as the 21 changed the ride quality on my bike, I wouldn't dream of doing anything bigger
Awesome video
Thank you for sharing
The speedometer is based off the diameter of the rear tire. You can put bigger rims on and still maintain the tire diameter. The front tire diameter could mess with abs but not speed.
I should have been more clear. I put an 18" tire on the rear (replacing the stock 15".)
@@RidingandWrenching you were very clear. People just need to have something to bitch about 😂
I have an older FLH Shovel that came with 16" put a 21"up front years ago never really noticed any difference. Just picked up a used SG that someone installed a 21"up front, other then the front probably rides a tad taller really don't notice any difference in handling.
I started out on rigid frames with springer front ends so everything after that has been a huge improvement to me, I'm sure stock is best all around but I've never been able to leave especially a HD stock.
The only difference you should feel is it being a little "heavier" feeling in low speed maneuvers.
Put 21 front 18 rear on my '97 Road king. It definitely lifted the bike. Especially with the police seat. I feel like I'm King of the road on that bike. She's old and no longer my daily. I keep a stock '17 Street Glide for that.
I’ve just sub to you brother, I like your stuff, good job.
Thank you!
Thanks for the info. Changed my mind. I wonder what the 21 inch fat wheel does for performance.
good info. was considering a 21" wheel on my CVO RG Limited
As long as your suspension can handle it, you should be fine. Also be prepared for the extra lean on the kick stand.
I agree with everything you have talked about with the exception of odometer. The speedometer and odometer are controlled by the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) It is located in the top of the transmission and has nothing to do with the front tire. You could have a 36" tire and it will not affect the odometer or speedometer. Now when you change the back tire, that will affect both.
Gotcha. There was no impact to the speedo due to the bigger wheels.
The larger the front wheel the more gyroscopic effect is generated, the bike will be harder to turn the faster you go, the bike doesn't want to turn because of this effect, so the bigger the diameter the more effort you will have to put into the steering.
Quite amazing the way fads come and go on Harleys. Way back in the day up today . Twisted chrome . Sissy bars , different pipes over the years . Seats , the old baggers gave way to the choppers , fat wheels . Tall wheels . Back to the street glides , to slammed baggers , big ass stereos , never got into the fads , still riding my 05 low rider almost 20 years later .
I’ve noticed though … Bro hasn’t put the OEM stuff back on it . Looks cool AF
I like my bike! I've gotten rid of most of the OEM parts that I removed. Compared to many other bikes, my "upgrades" are pretty subtle
Wonderful comment.
Very true same for cars as well
Absolutely! My 2012 Mustang has low profile (stock) tires. Hard ride, but you expect that from a sports car.
Nice video bro.
That bike looks really nice like that!
Thank you!
Great video. Don't think I'll be doing this mod on my bike.
The front wheel will not effect the speedometer but the rear wheel will. By performance I'm assuming you are referring to cornering and braking. The will both be reduced from stock performance. Good video. I'm sticking with the stock wheels. Performance is more important to me than looks.
I increased the size of the rear tire to an 18". I should have been clear that I was referring to the rear tire affecting the speedo/odometer. Stock wheels are much more comfortable!
When you go to a 21” wheel to bring it back down on the front end you need to put in a 1” springs forks drop kit.
I put the Legends 1” drop kit in my 2016 RGS and it’s perfectly fine and no issues with the kickstand.
The ride height doesn't bother me. I actually like the added lean angle. The problem is the jiffy stand.