Hi all...
Was looking to go with new or custom Front rim for my 2016 RGU.
would there be any cons to just upgrading 17" the stock front with the 18" or 19"
doesn't seem like that small of a margin would make a difference.
Would I have to change the rear? presently a 16" to a 17"?

Thanks

 

You lose some of the great handling. No you would not have to change the rear.
changing the 17 inch front is not an upgrade it is a downgrade.
The handling is something they got right on the 2016 with the tires the way they went.

 

Everyone has their own opinion. The 18" wheel will be virtually the same as the 17" wheel. Being in the after market wheel business, a 17x3.5 wheel is a size that I almost never sell.

If you are going to get another wheel you might as well get one that is a little bit bigger. As i siad before everyone has their opinion. The wider sidewall on the 17" may give a cushier ride but i usually find that hose who have the opinion that a 16 or 17 is better have usually never ridden with a larger wheel.

My 21" with a 120/70/21 rides equally as good as the stock 18x3.5 did. To each their own.

 

I have ridden to many of these bike with 21 inch front wheels. They all claim the work so well they don't. If you don't ride it much won't madder.
I ride a RGU 2016 been on RGU's a while the 2016 with the wheels they went with handles amazingly well. Next all you will here is how bad HD made the bike handle.
First ride off the lot I dropped off the 2013 I trade rode off on the 2016 It did not take long to feel how well it handled.

 

Generally speaking a bigger wheel with shorter sidewall tires will give better handling because of less sidewall flex. Albeit probably a harsher ride.

 

Let's clarify something regarding stock front wheels! All the sizes that Harley has used to date, 16", 17", 18" and 19" have almost identical rolling diameters. That is because they have used lower profile tyres, from: 130/90 (or MT), 130/80, 130/70, 130/60, respectively. Using any of those shouldn't change some aspects of the ride, although ride quality may be affected, by having a lower sidewall, hence less of a cushion. OP didn't ask about 21"!

If you use any of those front wheel diameters you do not need to change the rear wheel size. If you change the rear wheel to match a new front the same size rear rim will be fine.

 

I roll a 21" and it rides great and looks good

 

^ what they said. I have 19 front and 18 rear and my bike handles just as good as stock.... Considering that's the size they put on CVO's.
It's an opinion thing like Hogpro said.

 

The larger diameter wheels look better but that is all they do. They ride like ****. not to mention you have to buy another tire to Bo on it.