I have a 2015 SGS & while going into turns slow or fast the front end wants to dive into it. While making a 25 mph left hand turn the whole front wants to dive left & I have to fight it going into a corner. It's actually pretty damn scary when it happens.

I have a full JL Audio system on it, amp, fairing speakers with tweeter & lowers with speakers. Could the extra weight be making it want to do that?

Head bearing is fine.

I have a 21" front wheel
Progressive monotubes lowering it 2"
The rear is stock height & stock springs.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

 

You took a nice picture.
The bike looks like it was built for a magazine cover, to look at, not handling performance. You did a very nice job with the looks!


PS: Would like to see pics without the lowers and front crash bar.

 

Thanks! I don't have any pics without the lowers & crash bars.

I have had plenty of 21" wheel baggers & non handled this way, maybe it's the tires? I don't know but it's pissing me off.

 

By changing to the 21" front wheel, which is thinner/narrower AND taller than stock, you've changed the dynamics of the performance of the bike, which I believe is being seen in the diving on corners. Bikes are generally designed to perform the way they were built, stock, and whenever you go changing things, it CAN affect performance, sometimes for the better, and sometimes not.

Were the other bikes you had the 21" wheel on the same bike, or just similar? It could just be the differences in the rest of the bike. Did the other bikes with 21" wheels have the stereo system on them? That does add a bit of weight, and it is up higher, so if not, that may have something to do with it.

 

Have not had this problem with either of the Street Glides that I've owned. To me, the problem is very obvious...you've changed the geometry and design of your front end! Once you do that, it's a crap shoot.


I had a Harley over ten years ago that I changed from a stock 16" front wheel...handled great...to a 21" narrow wheel/tire combo... my handling went to hell in a hand basket immediately, with the same symptoms OP describes, plus maybe a couple of others!!!

 

 

Op

suggestions / questions

spoke front wheel, are any spokes loose?

you state lowered from 2 inches but left rear stock height., still using standard street glide rear shocks that a 1 inch lower?

did you change rear wheel to 18? Or some other size?

I'm thinking you may have the rake and trail off causing your issue

 

This is my set up front & rear.

21" front 16" rear Sinister Big Daddy wire wheels & yes using the stock Street Glide Special rear shocks.

 

A buddy has the same setup as you on his '12 King with 12" Ohlins in back. I can do figure 8's just as easy as the stock setup, so what you did up front to compensate for the bigger wheel is okay, IMO.

He has a Deadcenter detachable fairing with full audio, and that changes the handling a bit in the slower speeds, so I say it's the added weight.

 

Maybe just lower the front end 1 inch not 2 inches.

John