You get used to what you have to ride until you believe what you want to believe.

Skinny front tires are way more difficult to handle in slow riding conditions, u-turns and such. Couple them with some apes and you got yourself a lumbering beast. Even on the highway, wider front tires are much smoother

 

Still prefer my 21". The look and feel. I did go with a 90/90 tire over the 80/90 tire. Helps considerably in the rain and ruts but still gives me the look and feel i want.

Biggest i have had on the front of anything was a 140. It was smooth. But again. Just wasnt my cup of tea.......

 

Skinny tires rock. We're almost standing out now. And it has more of the old school look. I like it, and it's the only tire that looks good with apes and dragbars, in my book. Big FL front end doesn't go with dragbars (for me).

 

For some, the look is more important than the ride. That's OK. Skinny tires do look cool. I've been caught in heavy rain more times than I can count now. With those wide tires, I have the confidence to keep going.

 

No Old School was when the front tire was the same as the rear tire.

5.00 x 16

Not to wide not to narrow, perfect.

 

just put about 150 miles on my new wide glide with the skinny front tire. I was really nervous actually about that when I first started looking at this bike. didnt expect good handling or a smooth ride compared to my old bike (86 virago xv700) with the wider front tire, but I think CLYDE60 is right, its about the rear tire. the wide glide has a super wide rear tire and I've been able to cut really close u-turns and its been smooth and pretty good in the corners. still getting used to it but I'm thinkin it's only gettin better.

 

Well, try a panic stop @ slow speeds on wet or dirty pavement & then tell us how good it looks & how good the handling is. Also, try some rail road tracks @ an angle & then again, tell us how good it looks & how good it handles. As your laying on the road it just may change your perspective about form & function. It only takes once to up the ante. This is all from my personel riding experience & what I've saw over the years since 1968 when I started riding. We have 3 grown up sons & all have listened to us & have chose the function rather than form & we're damn grateful for that.
But heh, it's your soap, it's your water, so yon can wash him as fast as you want to.
FWIW,
Good Hunting!

 

Krauts, your post doesn't make sense...

I have an FXST and a Fat Boy. The FXST handles fine, I have no problem with metal-grate bridges, railroad tracks, the usual stuff. Might take a bit more skill or being a little bit more headsup but it's no biggie. And I got my first bike in 1964...

 

I ride with skinny tires in the front, on and off since 20 years (shove, evo and twinky), and never had a problem I wouldn't have had with a wide one also. But that's al right, I probably don't know what I'm talking about, unlike Kraut and other specialists here.

 

Unfortunatley i have had to perform MANY quick stops, including on wet roads/ gravel etc. I dont care what tire you have on its not fun...Know your bike and its abilities and YOUR abilities and its makes those times a lot less stressful. And i have to hit railroad crossings every morning. (AT AN ANGLE).

Its a personal preference, and my preference is to stick with the 21"....Old School, New School, Short Bus School or whatever you want to call it....