REPRINT FROM OLD HTT: 19" vs 21" FRONT TIRE

[ClassicRider2002]

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A REPRINT TOPIC FROM "OLD" HTT

I have saved many great topical discussions as "links" over the years and would hate to see these lost, so I am reprinting this TOPIC here, which may "perhaps" help some.

TOPIC:  19" vs 21" Front Tire  03-17-05
   

From: 88FXR  (Original Message) Sent: 3/17/2005 8:51 AM  Message 1 of 12 in Discussion
I currently run a 21" front tire on my 88 FXRS.  It came stock with a 19".  I like the looks of the 21 but other than looks what are the benefits of one size over the other?

[ClassicRider2002]

From: rigid71 Sent: 3/17/2005 9:12 AM   Message 2 of 12 in Discussion
19" tires put more ruber on the road !!!
   

From: rigid71 Sent: 3/17/2005 9:13 AM   Recommend   Message 3 of 12 in Discussion
they also dont follow the cracks in the road as bad
 

From: takwolf Sent: 3/17/2005 9:15 AM   Message 4 of 12 in Discussion
A 21" is more stable, due to gyroscopic effect. 


From: sonicskip Sent: 3/17/2005 12:06 PM   Message 5 of 12 in Discussion
I believe a 19 will steer quicker and easier due to the shorter contact patch.  Skip
     

From: supershoveloriginal Sent: 3/17/2005 12:17 PM   Message 6 of 12 in Discussion
If going into corners hard is your idea of fun , the 19 will handle much better. Put a 21 on my FXR years ago. Took it off and back to the 19. Just seemed more stable in the turns, which makes sense. More rubber in contact with the road. My .02c


From: TarheelFXR Sent: 3/17/2005 2:25 PM   Message 7 of 12 in Discussion
  Supershovel
 

From: _zigzzagz_ Sent: 3/18/2005 2:40 AM   Message 8 of 12 in Discussion
At any speed over a crawl the difference in amount of rubber in contact with the road should have a negligable effect on handling.  Really shouldn't be able to tell the difference.  Only reason I can think to have the shorter sturdier tire is if you hit something like a cat or a dog. Whit a fatboy or any of the tourer FL's you should be able to go right through/over it, where the 21" you might get chucked off.  zigz


From: wideglide4jesus Sent: 3/18/2005 2:43 AM   Message 9 of 12 in Discussion
The difference between the 19 inch wheeel on my FXR and the 21 on my wideglide to me was big.  I didn't notice it until I went ona 900 mile ride with the wide glide and drove through every possible scenario out there.  I still have the wideglide and the 21 inch tire, but it DOES handle different then a 19 inch wheel on varying surfaces.  Peace   WG4J


From: jmorton10 Sent: 3/18/2005 4:11 AM   Message 10 of 12 in Discussion
I swapped from a 19 to a 21 some years ago simply because I liked the look of the 21.  It worked fine & I ran it for years, but I did think the bike handled slightly better with the 19.  ~John


From: Mel in MD Sent: 3/18/2005 4:58 PM   Message 11 of 12 in Discussion
Takwolf may not be correct - "A 21" is more stable, due to gyroscopic effect."   On the other hand, I may be off in the woods on this.  But here goes anyway.  The 21" is thinner and lower-profile than the 19" tire.  However, I believe the outside diameter is esentially the same with both tires.  Also, gyroscopic effect is largely influenced by the spinning weight and where it's located.  The 19" tire is heavier around the circumference and so should have a more pronounced gyroscopic effect compared to the 21" tire.
    

From: chopper    Sent: 3/19/2005 5:22 AM   Message 12 of 12 in Discussion
Mel is correct...   There is NO difference due to "gyroscopic effect"  The outside diameters are nealr identical.  Even if there were any differences due to gyro effect, it would mean the faster the wheel spun, the more stable it would be... which isn't the case.  21's are primarily for looks.  Nothing wrong with that.  19's (or even 18's) are better for performance.   However....  if you check around, you'll see a LOT more 21 incher's road damaged than 19's.  Those narrow rim widths, coupled with a very short tire profile, don't take very much to dent.   

[ClassicRider2002]

While I realize this "THREAD" goes a ways back I feel the content warrants it being brought over here to the New HTT Site, hopefully it is helpful to others.

Anything added beyond this point is new information.

Regards,

"Classic"

[JamLazyAss]

Well as long as it's being tossed around, let's throw the 16" front tire into the mix as well.
It's my favorite. 
Handling and looks. Works for my.
That's my .02

[Reddog74usa]

Great repost and find. Thanks, Classic