Looking at older motorcycles most of them had the same sized tire front and rear. Most bicycles have the same sized tires front and rear. Guessing it was probably in the '70s that the front skinny tire came into style.

What's the benefit of the skinny front tire? Conversely, what's the benefit of running same sized rims and tires front and rear?

Educate me.

Bones.

 

I've been running a skinny 21" front since 1984 ....In my opinion it is just for looks......there is no advantage.......really sucks in sand......and once i was coming down a steep sweeping mountain road in the smokies and couldn't keep up with the Harley's with wider tires......had to slow down so my 21" wouldn't slide out toward the shoulder.......Then i found Metzler and that really helped.

 

^^^ Nuff Said ^^^ There is no performance advantage to a skinny 21", only disadvantages. Less rubber on the payment is never an advantage when cornering.

 

97 WG

Stock: F = 21" x 2.15" wheel & 90/90 tire; R = 16" x 3.5" wheel & 130/90 tire
Now: F = 21" x 3.5" wheel & 120/70 tire; R = 18" x 5.5" wheel & 180/55 tire

With stock, I had a wobbling feeling going through a turn around 70-75. Same turn with the Now setup, can do 100 and no wobbling. Never did like the skinny front tire as it never gave me the reassurance that there was much of a contact patch for grip. More confident with the new setup.