I personally do not have any issues with turning at high speeds in fact I enjoy my FXSTS it has a 200 rear. I will admit it seems a little touchy or hard to maintain a tight line through turns, but that is in group rides. Solo on twisties, it is the bomb 60-90!!! I would think that the heavier forks should make it somewhat simpler? How long have you been riding Harley's? Maybe coming from a sport bike you are just noting the difference? It is like breaking in new boots... You notice every little thing... after a few days they are comfortable!!!

 

Great point baitrunner,a lot less leverage with the drag bars and it takes more effort.The only reason I'm keeping mine is they look perfect on a Nightrain.

 

That's like saying fat girls are great in bed....Hey if you don't mind all the wobblingwhen things are fast 'n furious then what the hell.... [8D]

Everything's relative.... I knew my softail would handle like a pig compared to a lot of other bikes.I know I could push it but see no reason,I've spent enough time,and taken enough chances flying around corners,I was ready for a different sort of ride.

 

No issues with my Deuce. Actually tracks and handles very well. But I do keep pressure pretty close. I believe the only difference, as some have suggested, would be the Nightrain Beach Bars...

 

Being a tubeless tire it would lose air at the spoke
holes.

 

I'm sure all the Softails handle well enough,but their handling definitely isn't optimal compared to (for instance) a SuperGlide.In any case I think the 21 inch front tire is nowhere near the top of the list for reasons why...

 

I have had my bike through just about every road condition you could ask for, down pours, hours on end on gravel roads, mud coated construction, blasted rock (not fun), washboard and pot hole hell, pit run (small rounded boulders packed with dirt) mountain twisties and prairiestraights with heavy side winds. I have no problem with the 21"er seems solid to me. I think it boils down to what your used to previously until you get used to your current ride and adjusting your riding style to the road conditions, speed and the style of your bike. Lets face it our harleys are no race rockets.

 

Want to make sure we're giving complete facts here. I don't think the tire is a problem, but if you change to a radial on the front you should (MUST?) change the rear to a radial as well. It is never recommended on any two or four wheel vehicle to mix bias and radial tires. This means going to a front radial will require front and rear tires and a new front rim.

 

I went from a classic to the custom, there is a difference, esp. with the 21" and the 200 rear. Classic was a road hugger, till you scraped something. Just takes a little getting used to.

 

Good point nine11c2. The rear is a radial from the dealer. But they put a bias in the front. I just don't get that. I guess it's all about the after market...