I have a 2012 StreetGlide. I am thinking of changing the stock front tire to either a 19 or 21inchx70x120x3.50 tire. Does anyone thing it will ruin the ride much?

 

You'll get varying opinions on this topic, I'm running a 21" with monotubes -2" and I feel it rides the same as stock.

 

First of all welcome to the forum. I have a 21" front, also lowered my front 2" with progressive montubes. The bike rides and handles great, do a search on the forum, many opinions from many people.

 

same debate i've been having with myself for almost a year.....

19" + : looks nice, doesn't raise the front of the bike, and the Agitator is a nice looking wheel and very reasonably priced... if you run a 120/19 front tire a replacement is readily available if you get a flat out on the road (its a V Rod tire)

19" - : not alot of 19" aftermarket wheels in stock usually looking a a bit of a wait time. the Agitator is the ONLY wheel available that is 3.5 inches wide to run that 130/19 tire.....all others are generally 3" wide max...... the Agitator matching rear is ONLY available in 18" which will actually RAISE the rear of an SG about 1/2".....personally is prefer the 17" with a 200 tire

21" + : BLING, alot of really nice looking wheels readily available...can generally get a matching rear wheel in a variety of sizes 16,17,18

21" - : changes the geomerty of the bike, requires a front lowering kit to get it back close to stock height..... 120 tire is thinner then stock..130 is available but it is even taller...tires not generally available at HD dealers if you get a flat on a road trip


ponder on my friend...this will rack your brain....

 

Never owned a 21 and here is why. In the group of guys i ride with 5 of them had 21s at one time or another. All but one have gone back to 19s or smaller due to the adverse effect on ride and handling. The one guy that kept the 21 doesnt like it but he doesnt ride much anymore so he just grins and bears it. Again no personal experience from owning one just observing others.

 

I can honestly say that after putting my 21 on I noticed the bike fighting me a little bit during slow turns. After a few miles I got used to it. Now I can't tell any differences from now and stock. It was same way when I went to the apes. Rides a little different, but after getting use to it, I cant tell the difference. If some one offered to swap me out with a smaller rim for free, I would not do it. I am very happy with the 21"

 

I think a lot of it depends on the riders ability to adapt and overcome. If I get a chance at a killer deal on a 21 for my 05 I'll jump on it and give it a whirl! My long distance bike will prob keep the 18.

 

++1

Totally agree...I noticed a slight difference, but nothing that would make me go from BIG PIMPIN back to STOCK!