I posted this in another area and did not get a response so I thought I would try the bagger forum. It might have been covered elsewhere, but I can't find it.

I am starting the process of renovating my 2005 FLHTCI and part of that will be custom wheels, rotors and pulley (likely RC Components). I am thinking about going to 18" wheels to open it up and show off more of the wheel, but I am concerned about the change in handling/ride. This is our long-distance, two-up motorcycle that my wife and I travel on so I do not want to mess up the ride.

For those of you that have gone to 18" wheels on your baggers, could you let me know how you like the ride now?

Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

 

I have 18's on both front and rear of my Ultra and LOVE them. I used my factory rear pulley and rotor, because to me, I can't see enough of it to justify the cost. I slammed my front fender down to close the gap between fender and the wheel, but again, personal preference.













<-------------My Gallery(click the little camera icon)should give you an idea of what it looks like.

 

I just did 2600+ miles to Montana and back, most of that on I-15. I have a 21/18 combo and I thought the bike cruised like a dream. We do alot of two-up riding and my GF has never once mentioned anything about the ride after I switched from the stock 16's. I'd say go for it and don't look back!

 

Great looking Ultra. If you don't mind my asking, how did you lower the front fender? I think I seen a thread about it a while back, however I'm unable to find it again.

 

Thanks Hotrod

I bought a SG fender and grinded the rivets off the braces with a dremmel. I bought the new braces from NativeCustomBaggers and had my painter weld them in place after mocking them up on my bike where I wanted the fender to sit. Just FYI, NativeCustomBaggers will sell the fender/brace/and paint it for ~$400 bucks, but I wanted the gap between the fender and the tire closer than they offer and I didn't want the rivets to show so I did the project myself.

VERY EASY project and if you didn't want to weld the braces, just be careful with the dremmel and just put some rivots back in with the new NCB braces and you're good to go.

Close up:


[IMG]local://upfiles/22226/A64D219BA8AB46F795A6EC7A906A0B4D.jpg[/IMG]

 

Ultra
What wheels are you running? Sure look good.

 

Thanks for the feedback, fellas. I guess there is a set of 18's in my future.

Ultra, what size are those Metzelers?

 

I've know of riders who do an 18" up front and stick with the 16" in back. Checjk the load ratings on 18" tires and you'll find the lower profile 18" tires don't have the GVWR that the 16" do. This may or may not be important to you, but if you load it up with gear and passengers it should be a consideration.

Also running a 16" rear with a higher aspect ratio usually ends up delivering a softer ride. And on baggers the rear wheel is pretty well hidden anyway.

 

Hogpro Lemans and thank you for the compliment.

18x3.5 140 70/18 front
18x4.25 150 70/18 rear

Rear Wheel shot for depth:

[IMG]local://upfiles/22226/0A32511D18EB4468AEA05067CED11F9B.jpg[/IMG]

Good luck.

 

Always like looking at your bike... Very nice!
Did the wheels change the height of the bike? Also do they change the speedo calibration?