Wider tires on front?

[guesscrazy]

I see some are putting a wider front tire on baggers. Whats the advantage or disadvantages? Looks like you change the wheel , fender lowers and cowbells. I sorta like the look.

[Boe Cole]

Rode a bike with what looked like a 12" rear tire once.  Did not like it as it was not that easy to handle - bike followed the angle of the road.  Think a fat front tire would cause similar issues plus be harder to turn the handlebars.  This in my opinion is one of those things that sacrifices ride and handling quality for looks.  Just my thoughts!!!

[Hossamania]

Advantages: looks badass! Google Exile Cycles
Disadvantages: slower and heavier steering would be my guess, but no first hand experience.

[screem]

A company called Native Custom Baggers has a 180 front tire kit for baggers, gives them a more stout look to the front end. Testimonials claim no adverse handling. Like Hoss said above, it would seem to make sense that steering input would be slower with a heavier feeling, But I have never ridden one

[koko3052]

Building a 250 front & back....will let you know when it's on the road. I'm sure that it will be a dog for handling...but it's not a race bike...just a different look! Will probably be a couple years yet...a guy has to live too!

[Buglet]

   Install a Native Custom a couple years ago. I can not say nothing bad about it in fact I would say it was better all around. It was on a 2015 RG

[guesscrazy]

   Install a Native Custom a couple years ago. I can not say nothing bad about it in fact I would say it was better all around. It was on a 2015 RG

How does it handle. I am thinking of doing a 2014 Limited.

[Carl 1969]

Dunno about 180s & wider, but have yet to read a complaint about the Native Custom's conversion.

While not quite in the same league, going from a 100/90-19 on my '02 FXD to a 130/90-16 made a noticeable difference for the better. Much better ride, corners like its on rails & just feels very solid & planted in turns. I always hear about 'slower' steering with a 'fat' tire, but with the narrow 39mm & 19" combo, I always felt like I had to fight the bike to get 'er to lean over. With the wide 41mm & 16" combo, it just rolls over into a turn, easy as you please & much quicker/smoother side to side transitions.

I'm not a canyon carver & my apex strafing days are long gone, but the fatter front end works a treat for my purposes.

[Buglet]

       I would say it handle just as good as stock if not better.

[Barrett]

I have a 150 Avon Cobra up front on my Fatbob. I like it a lot better than the skinny tire on the Wideglide.

[Cozz]

I love that fat front tire look. Quite a few on that other forum I visit. Owners claim much better handling. Very cool look, IMO.

[klammer76]

I like the look of the Native set up. I talk to anyone I see running the wide tire set up. All have nothing but good things to say about them. Ride and handling they all have said are very good.

[Hossamania]

Advantages: looks badass! Google Exile Cycles
Disadvantages: slower and heavier steering would be my guess, but no first hand experience.

So, no disadvantages.

[screem]

Advantages: looks badass! Google Exile Cycles
Disadvantages: slower and heavier steering would be my guess, but no first hand experience.

So, no disadvantages.

And no advantages, other than its bad azz looking..

[Deye76]

"I like the look of the Native set up.  Ride and handling they all have said are very good."

Native Baggers is located in Michigan, I've been through both curves in that state. 

[72fl]

Advantages: looks badass! Google Exile Cycles
Disadvantages: slower and heavier steering would be my guess, but no first hand experience.

So, no disadvantages.

Tire Cost

[crock]

Advantages: looks badass! Google Exile Cycles
Disadvantages: slower and heavier steering would be my guess, but no first hand experience.

Hoss I think that no visible handle bar controls add to the BAD ASS look

[Hossamania]

Advantages: looks badass! Google Exile Cycles
Disadvantages: slower and heavier steering would be my guess, but no first hand experience.

Hoss I think that no visible handle bar controls add to the BAD ASS look

I've always thought the Exile Cycles were the coolest looking of the customs when it was all the rage 15 and 20 years ago. The look still works, as opposed to the decline of the wide rear tire chopper popularity.

[PoorUB]

As long as you paint it black!

[Hossamania]

As long as you paint it black!

It's the only color on my shelf!

[PoorUB]

As long as you paint it black!

It's the only color on my shelf!

The only color allowed for Exile was black.

[SixShooter14]

Not for me. Looks are on par with the tall front wheeled baggers that are/were popular recently. I much prefer the wide rear/skinny front choppers.

[tomcat64]

"I like the look of the Native set up.  Ride and handling they all have said are very good."

Native Baggers is located in Michigan, I've been through both curves in that state. 

that reminds me of a story, back when the HD dealer in Minot ND was selling Buells, the sales manager was talking about the Buell selling point they used to say "Own the corners".. he laughed and said, ya own the corners, the next one is 175 miles to the west!

[Boe Cole]

I had to get new rubber for my 11rgu.  The replacement rear tire is a 180/6x/16.  When i was checking the date code on the Dunflop American Elite, there is a stamping on the tire saying to only use it on the rear of the bike.  Don't know why - just passing along its caution.

[Hossamania]

I had to get new rubber for my 11rgu.  The replacement rear tire is a 180/6x/16.  When i was checking the date code on the Dunflop American Elite, there is a stamping on the tire saying to only use it on the rear of the bike.  Don't know why - just passing along its caution.

It's due to the construction of the tire and the forces put on it. If used as a front tire, it should be mounted backwards.

[02roadcling]

 

   cling

[76shuvlinoff]

"I like the look of the Native set up.  Ride and handling they all have said are very good."

Native Baggers is located in Michigan, I've been through both curves in that state. 

You were just going around potholes....