I am about to purchase a set of custom wheels but i torn between a 17 and 18 inch rear wheel. I know a 17 will keep you just about the stock height but will an 18 raise you up that much? I am pretty short so that is the only reason i would be torn between the two sizes.BTW this is going on an 09 street glide.

 

You can find all the measurements at the tire manufacture's web site. The 18' will raise it a little

 

Keep one thing in mind when it comes to wheels; the more rim diameter there is, the less rubber sidewall there is and this means a harder ride because of less cushion.

 

The difference between the 16" stock and 18" RSD that I bought is only about 1/4 inch.

 

I went with a 17" on my '09 Street Glide so it would be very close to the stock height and I could use a 200mm wide tire with no trouble at all.

I used a 17" x 6.0" Rear Wheel, with a 200/55 tire. The speedo is spot on with my GPS.

 

I had the very same question when I was about to order my wheels. I went with a 17" rear wheel with a 200mm tire. I'm lowered in the rear so it made sense to go with a 17". I didn't want to rub plus from what I understand, the 17" 200mm rear tire is something that all HD dealers carry in stock where as the 18" 200mm is not a common stocked item.

 

17" here too. 200mm tire as well.

 

IMHO--this is the way to go -- I have an 18 put a 200 on it; it wobbled so bad I had to buy a new tire out of state. Had to pay out of state prices and labor. Others have had success with the 18/200 but not me--now I am back to 18/180 and $400 lighter in the wallet

 

i have the 18 with 200mm tire and love it . i didnt notice any difference in hieght or had any troubles at all.

 

17" 200mm here... I called Costal Moto and Eastern Performance both before I made the choice of 17" or 18" and they both pretty much said the same thing...
If you go with an 18" rim you should stay with a 180mm tire, if you want the wider 200mm tire you should go with the 17" rim. They both said they thought a 200 tire was to wide for the 18X5.5 rim... they said the 17X6.25 was alot safer so thats what I went with.