Just trying to get some feelings from people here. I got an 08 streetglide that a few weeks ago i put a 21" 18" combo on with metzler tires. I have had this bike since new and have two other harleys. Been riding on the street for eleven years and the weekend i put the new wheels on i went down for the first time in eleven years. I put the wheels on friday night and went down monday afternoon the wheels had over 450 miles on them in the weekend and felt great to me around turns and everything. I was going around a turn doing the speed limit and hit a metal tie down strap in the road when the front wheel went out and i went into a water ditch. So in the bike of my mind i am wondering if i had the stock 16" or a 18" on the front if that would of made the bike make it through the turn with hitting the strap. Anyone with 21" and a good amount of mileage on them what do you think. Bike is still getting fixed along with me still recovering and just dont know if i should put a 21" back on it as i do run this bike the most and the farthest compared to my other two bikes. Sorry for the long post.

 

I still have my 16 on so I can't tll ya the difference but I do think either way you were going down. Once that wheel lost contact with the road the buckle was an ice skate and nothing was stopping what happened next. I am putting a 21 on mine.

Glad you'll be fine. Bikes are repairable or replacable.

 

I've ran 21's for the last 8 years on 3 different bikes and can honestly say I don't think that would have mattered. I doubt it was a matter of grip. Now if you were to tell me that this object was large enough to unsettle the suspension then the difference could be in the sidewall flex between the 21 and 16. In my opinion, my bikes have handled better and felt more stable after the switch but I know that is far from the majority opinion. But one other thing I've noticed, a lot of negativity comes from guys that don't run the 21. Most guys that do have nothing but good things to say....and no they aren't just bar crawlers. I've heard several guys here talk about their 21" baggers running up some serious miles. I personally average 1000-1500 miles a month, far from a bar crawler.

 

I have 12,000 miles on my 09 Street Glide with a 21" front and I don't see how it hurt you at all with what you described.
Now if you had dumped it in a parking lot maybe, but not going down the road at speed.

 

I don't have any experience with a 21 on a bagger but I put a 21 on the front of my Deluxe and I think I am the only one on this forum who doesn't like the change in terms of handling and ride. Too much unsprung weight and it screwed up the trail. Guys in the Softail forum rave about the change but I honestly think it looks good but handles like sh@t compared to stock. I had a 21 on a Nighttrain that handled great but it was designed for it.

I also have an 08 Ultra and I will definately NOT put a 21 on it. JMHO.

 

Wider the tire the more contact patch, whether it was the deciding factor you have to be the judge. I like as much rubber on the road as possible, the 21" has 15% less contact patch.

 

Hate to jump into subjective topics. I went from a 16 to 21, left the rear stock. As other have mentioned in countless threads, it took 1/2 hour to get used to, that was it. Love the ride. Have just over 1000 miles since the switch. All kinds of miles, highway, city and twisties. No issue.

 

I love my 21 and never had a single issue. They are a thinner profile than a stock 18 but I don't see that being an issue. I have over 10K on mine and the track is pretty much the same. I agree, your date with the pavement was inevitable! Glad you are OK

 

i have to say that after 1000 miles i did the conversion and ABSOLUTLEY LOVED IT handled soooo much better and im proud to say that my 07 streetglide now has 29000 miles iwth the 21'' and 18'' wheels with no lay-downs to speak of.Plus u get more milage out of the 21 18 combo cause of less rotation. just my 2 cents.

 

I just did 1200+ miles on my 09 SG with the stock wheels. When I got home I had a 21" and 17" (200mm) waiting on me. I installed them as soon as I could and took the bike to work the next day. When I leave my neighborhood there is a set of good sweeping curves for about three miles. At first I felt like the bike wanted to push out and felt heavy. After the 30 miles into work; I didn't know if I was going to like them. After work I hopped on the bike and road home. I wasn't paying attention and just rode it. After a while I didn't even know the wheels were different and the heavy feeling was gone. I think I was just used to one feel for so long that when that feeling changed I wasn't comfortable with it. Now, I ride the hell out of those curves and love the change. I was going to lower the front end but just may leave it because I'm kind of tall.