23" wheel, air ride.. what do you give up?

[Ralt71]

Hello,
I'm new to this forum and did what searching I could on the topic. I assumed given this site revolves around this type of bike I would find a thread on this already, but I was not able. If my thread is redundant by all means point me in the right direction and I can go research it.

So I'm new to this all together, I have had a motorcycle since I was 16 but they were street bikes. This is my first Harley (2019 Streetglide Special) and I want to do some minor touches so it's different than any ole bike you buy off the showroom floor but I want to keep the ease of riding and the ride comfort. At the end of the day I bought it to ride not to show and my wife is usually with me. So here are my questions that hopefully those of you who are running these set ups can help me with;

- If I got to a 23" front wheel, what am I giving up in ride quality? I have heard there is hardly any change since my bike has a 19 now. I was also told they are terrible in the rain, when you go slow or come to a stop it gets unstable, and that you fight your handle bars to keep the wheel from falling side to side.

- Does air ride make the bike more comfortable and a better ride? I initially wanted this so I don't have to adjust the rear shocks when she gets on or off and so I no longer have to take the bags off when needing to adjust it. I was told the air ride is more for show and not so much for ride comfort. You have to watch the psi often, it's tricky to get it set just right so it is smooth etc.. can I get some insight on that? I trust the guy that told me the detail, but everyone has a different perspective.

I don't want to drop money into these things to find they make long hauls or daily cruises not as much fun to ride. I set my cruise at 75 and relax, or ride with one hand. The bike rides and handles like a dream right now.

 

[Kong09]

If you do a regular 23" wheel I believe you'll need triple trees. If you do a fat front 23" like I'm doing you'll need to change the rake. Either a weld on or bolt on for a 26" wheel. I went with the dirty rear air ride and progressive fronts to lower it a bit. Some on here do both front and rear air ride. It's really up to the rider.

 

[Ralt71]

I did see just about every kit out there says you needed trees to do the 23". Do you know what I lose in ride quality going this route?

 

[Kong09]

You shouldn’t loose much or any. The trees are there to correct the geometry of the bigger wheel.

 

[Jerz202066]

I upgraded to a 23 last year rode all summer n most of the winter. I hv a 15 SGS....first Harley I have owned always have rode street bikes. I haven't had an issues or regrets with my decision. Only thing I noticed that was slight was turning ratio in tight parking lot turns but you get use to it after 3rd or 4th time u do it. The ride itself no real diffrence at all. You do have to change triple trees to get correct symmetry of bike again some ppl are cheap and do it without changing trees to save a buck, but safety is my main concern especially cause it's not just me on the bike. I have rode thru rainstorms high winds and never a problem or issue of stability of the front wheel or handling feeling unsafe or out of control. I cruise at 80 and take it up to over 100 with no wheel shake or wobble. I plan to do air ride next week bought Dirty air kit. From the ppl I ride with have nothing but great things to say about it. The ability to adjust ride height when going from one up to 2 up and the ability to mk adjustments while riding are all pros.

 

[Tommer]

Hello,
I'm new to this forum and did what searching I could on the topic. I assumed given this site revolves around this type of bike I would find a thread on this already, but I was not able. If my thread is redundant by all means point me in the right direction and I can go research it.

So I'm new to this all together, I have had a motorcycle since I was 16 but they were street bikes. This is my first Harley (2019 Streetglide Special) and I want to do some minor touches so it's different than any ole bike you buy off the showroom floor but I want to keep the ease of riding and the ride comfort. At the end of the day I bought it to ride not to show and my wife is usually with me. So here are my questions that hopefully those of you who are running these set ups can help me with;

- If I got to a 23" front wheel, what am I giving up in ride quality? I have heard there is hardly any change since my bike has a 19 now. I was also told they are terrible in the rain, when you go slow or come to a stop it gets unstable, and that you fight your handle bars to keep the wheel from falling side to side.

- Does air ride make the bike more comfortable and a better ride? I initially wanted this so I don't have to adjust the rear shocks when she gets on or off and so I no longer have to take the bags off when needing to adjust it. I was told the air ride is more for show and not so much for ride comfort. You have to watch the psi often, it's tricky to get it set just right so it is smooth etc.. can I get some insight on that? I trust the guy that told me the detail, but everyone has a different perspective.

I don't want to drop money into these things to find they make long hauls or daily cruises not as much fun to ride. I set my cruise at 75 and relax, or ride with one hand. The bike rides and handles like a dream

Hello,
I'm new to this forum and did what searching I could on the topic. I assumed given this site revolves around this type of bike I would find a thread on this already, but I was not able. If my thread is redundant by all means point me in the right direction and I can go research it.

So I'm new to this all together, I have had a motorcycle since I was 16 but they were street bikes. This is my first Harley (2019 Streetglide Special) and I want to do some minor touches so it's different than any ole bike you buy off the showroom floor but I want to keep the ease of riding and the ride comfort. At the end of the day I bought it to ride not to show and my wife is usually with me. So here are my questions that hopefully those of you who are running these set ups can help me with;

- If I got to a 23" front wheel, what am I giving up in ride quality? I have heard there is hardly any change since my bike has a 19 now. I was also told they are terrible in the rain, when you go slow or come to a stop it gets unstable, and that you fight your handle bars to keep the wheel from falling side to side.

- Does air ride make the bike more comfortable and a better ride? I initially wanted this so I don't have to adjust the rear shocks when she gets on or off and so I no longer have to take the bags off when needing to adjust it. I was told the air ride is more for show and not so much for ride comfort. You have to watch the psi often, it's tricky to get it set just right so it is smooth etc.. can I get some insight on that? I trust the guy that told me the detail, but everyone has a different perspective.

I don't want to drop money into these things to find they make long hauls or daily cruises not as much fun to ride. I set my cruise at 75 and relax, or ride with one hand. The bike rides and handles like a dream right now.

Hello,
I'm new to this forum and did what searching I could on the topic. I assumed given this site revolves around this type of bike I would find a thread on this already, but I was not able. If my thread is redundant by all means point me in the right direction and I can go research it.

So I'm new to this all together, I have had a motorcycle since I was 16 but they were street bikes. This is my first Harley (2019 Streetglide Special) and I want to do some minor touches so it's different than any ole bike you buy off the showroom floor but I want to keep the ease of riding and the ride comfort. At the end of the day I bought it to ride not to show and my wife is usually with me. So here are my questions that hopefully those of you who are running these set ups can help me with;

- If I got to a 23" front wheel, what am I giving up in ride quality? I have heard there is hardly any change since my bike has a 19 now. I was also told they are terrible in the rain, when you go slow or come to a stop it gets unstable, and that you fight your handle bars to keep the wheel from falling side to side.

- Does air ride make the bike more comfortable and a better ride? I initially wanted this so I don't have to adjust the rear shocks when she gets on or off and so I no longer have to take the bags off when needing to adjust it. I was told the air ride is more for show and not so much for ride comfort. You have to watch the psi often, it's tricky to get it set just right so it is smooth etc.. can I get some insight on that? I trust the guy that told me the detail, but everyone has a different perspective.

I don't want to drop money into these things to find they make long hauls or daily cruises not as much fun to ride. I set my cruise at 75 and relax, or ride with one hand. The bike rides and handles like a dream right now.
If you are happy with your present ride, you may want to consider a fender slam kit. I went this route with my stock 16" wheel and love the look. You retain the stock reliability, ease of choice with tires, etc. Yet the front looks lowered.

 

[repsol69]

23" Fender & more

OK, Putting my complete front end up for sale as i'm converting from a Street Glide to a Road King ........Parts:.23" Covington Customs Slingblade wheel with tire.., A one off B'Cool combo fender...Pickard 23" bolt on Trees & Lowering front springs......everything in perfect condition painted...

www.choppedbaggers.com

 

[repsol69]

Never mind it won't fit...mines a 2012 ..but they ride great as long as its installed the right way....