16" vs. 21" Front Wheel ...

[Stratplexi]

Looking for contrasting opinions on the handling and ride characteristics of the 16" frontwheel on softails vs. the 21" front wheel on softails.

Having recently sold my 03 FLSTC, I am planning on buying a new 05 ASAP. Dealer tells me to come in on the 15th to pick something on order and place a deposit. Anyway, I am just about sure that I want a FX as I love the look of the 21" front wheel.

Thanks for the help!

[WipeOut]

I also like the look of the 21" front wheel and can't complain about the ride..

Grip seems fine too, I have given it some relatively agressive front breaks and its been cool..

After all its not like you are trying to scrape your knee around corners or to life the bike onto the front wheel.. Leave that suicudal tendency to the Superbike boys..

[Stratplexi]

Originally Posted by WipeOut

I also like the look of the 21" front wheel and can't complain about the ride..

Grip seems fine too, I have given it some relatively agressive front breaks and its been cool..

After all its not like you are trying to scrape your knee around corners or to life the bike onto the front wheel.. Leave that suicudal tendency to the Superbike boys..

Thanks for the reply.

Your right about scraping the knee ... I only scraped my floorboards twice on the FLSTC! I am about as mellow a rider as I know. Guys I ride with are nearly always ahead of me ... and I don't mind at all. I like to relax, enjoy the scenery and enjoy the wind.

Just curious how the 21" handles the occasional pothole, rut in the rode, gravel on a turn, train track, or quick stop that sometimes happens.

Thanks again.

[WipeOut]

Originally Posted by Stratplexi

Just curious how the 21" handles the occasional pothole, rut in the rode, gravel on a turn, train track, or quick stop that sometimes happens.

I have covered all those hazards you mentioned and haven't had even a hint of a problem..

Obviously if you are going like a bat out of hell you would probably have a more hair raising experience..

I am sure I am not the fastest rider around but I am certianly not slow either..

Just a little anticipation of the hazards and caution should see you through them safely, I don't really think its all down to the tires or wheel size.. Anyway if it you prefer the look and it means you have to go a fraction slower whats the problem? Last I checked going a little slower never killed anyone..

Later..

[Terrya12]

If you like the look go for it. I have riden in all kinds of conditions from brutal down pours, muddy construction to roads so rough my apes dropped 4"s. I love the bike the ride and the look. Lots of guys tell me to get the decker or at least something with a 16"er and a shield but to be honest I'm not ready to trade her in for a car just yet, ha ha ha. I ride it long and hard when I go on holidays and she has been a good ride to date . My Avitar shows me getting ready for a tire change in Appleton, WI last year at the 100th.

[SHEP]

I had a 2000 Heritage. I took a 7000 mile coast to coast trip on it and loved the way it rode. I sold it and bought an '04 FXST. VERY different ride. Not nearly as comfortable. OK for short rides, but not for a long trip. I now have it for sale, after spending a ton on chrome, billet and custom paint, which I haven't even put on yet. Almost went back to another Heritage, but bought a Road King instead.

[Badapple]

16" front wheel should handle with far less effort and more quickly than a 21" . Usually a 21" should be more stable. But rake, trail, center of gravity, seating arrangements and other things will all affect handleing, ride comfort etc.

[jmorton10]

There is no comparison whatever comfort wise between a bike with a Heritage type front end & one with a skinny 21" wheel(I have owned both)

The ride of a Heritage is WAY WAY more comfortable, although I like both styles myself.

-John

[RickInIndy]

I have owned both. Prefer the looks of the 21" but like the ride of the 16" better. The most noticeable is in stop and go traffic, my FXSTC was much harder to keep it in a straight line. All in all, I wouldn't let it decide which bike to get because it's not that big of a difference. I will say that the sitting position on my Fatboy works much better for me on long trips. I would get a lot of fatigue on my Custom after only an hour.

[shinbone1028]

the only drawbacks I've noticed w/21" is in loose sand or large deep grooves on the hiway, in both cases I let her find her own path and she never lets me down.

[Top]

Originally Posted by shinbone1028

the only drawbacks I've noticed w/21" is in loose sand or large deep grooves on the hiway, in both cases I let her find her own path and she never lets me down.

I think that is all that needs to be said. I agree 100%

[rkt88403]

I live on a dirt street that is not very well maintained. Today the city put down a bunch of gravel. A-holes didn't even grade out the pot holes first!
No problems with the 21 tracking in rain, gravel,mud,deep sand,and wet grass. The 150/16 on the rear tends to give me more concern in those conditions.
Rode up north the 9th for a family reunion. First road trip with a destination. 120 miles in less than two hours including one pit stop on the way up. Numb a** from the stock seat. Light early a.m. traffic. Running between 80-90mph.
Thought I was too old for this sh*t. Guess not
Rode around on a lot of loose sand roads up there. The 21 didn't wash out in the sand,but I was careful and going slowly,barely hanging the back out sideways a few times with prudent use of throttle.
I took it easy on the ride home the next day leaving in the late afternoon running right around 70 most of the time.
This bike ain't no magic carpet ride. But it has a magic all it's own. I like the 21 front as it doesn't float on top of stuff.

[LV Heritage]

I owned a 99 Night Train and now own a 04 Heritage. The Night Train looked fantastic and I just loved the 21" front tire in the wide glide front end but... With the drag bars and the longer front end, the steering at low speeds is heavy. (Wants to fall to one side or the other) At high speeds it was very stable but again, probably due to the longer tubes on the Night Train, tended to bounce a little more and felt lighter to me. The Heritage is definitely more of a gentlemen’s bike! The 16” on the Heritage will still follow bad ruts in the road (like when they scrape the asphalt off for resurfacing but then take a year to put it back on).

All said, I love my Heritage and am much more prone to take long rides now but… I really miss my Night Train, it was a bad a..ed bike!

Someday I may buy a wide glide front end and a 21” setup for my Heritage just so I can change it around every once in a while. If I understand it correctly the rake and tube length is all in the front end (the frames are the same).

Hope all this rambling helps is some way… :p

Drew