Front Tire Sizes

Just wondering about handling difference, with different size wheels.
What are the pros and cons of various front wheel sizes?
16" , 18", 19", 21" ??
Rear wheels all seem to be 16" to 18". Wouldn't think that would matter much, but the fronts seem like a much greater range.

I went from a 19" to a 21" on the front with NO noticable differences. Only thing I can think of, and it depends on where you are going with it, is the clearance of the fender.

I'll tell you that I've ridden bikes with wide front tires in the rain, and bigger isn't always better. Think in terms of "hydroplaning". If you're on a well drained roadway, it's not as much a problem, but they aren't all good (roads). It happens, and when it's the front wheel, it's kinda spooky. Some folks WILL argue with me, but I've been on both in the rain, and my personal perference is the thin tires (not the rediculously skinny!). I guess it's all dependent on what you plan to ride in!

I look at it from the view point of what is needed to ride is all about the contact patch. The larger the contact patch the more the traction. The more the traction, the better the handling. If a 21" wheel was better than a 16" or a 17" wouldn't GP type bikes use them? They want all the contact patch they can get all the time.

Regarding hydroplaning, I have been caught in more than one Florida "shower" (read deluge) and the 21" on my WG was squirrely as all get out. I will agree that in theory two bikes weighing the same on the front end one with a 16" and one with a 21" but I feel that my RK is a lot more stable on wet roads that the FXR is. My newest project (yes it is an FXR, (what a surprise to some)) will use 18" front and rear with a 130 on the front and a 150 on the rear. Works fully adjustable on the back and Regency Inverted adjustable on the front with six piston PM's on both ends. 100" 4x4 Revtech with an FLT six speed with oil pan on the bottom. I plan on having some fun on the Mt Lemmon highway and Kit Peak.

I used to hate monsoon in the P.I. crummy roads, potholes that could swallow water buffaloes and enough rain to fill a medium sized lake. Riding there was an adventure for sure. I finally gave up on a CB350 and converted one of my MX bikes to somewhat street legal use. At least it was a little more fun and less of an adventure.

Goose would be an excellent source for input here. Goose, got your ears on old bud?

Size

Good question SkyKing. I never really gave it much thought, I have been running 19's the last few years and like'em just fine. Avon came out with an 120/19 and I plan on giving it a try after I wear out what I got. The more meat the better???

Thanks for the feedback. I'm always wondering about design considerations.

CD, that sounds like a great bike you're building.

On the hydroplaning issue. The formula for speed that dynamic hydroplaning occurs is approximatel 9 x square root of the tire pressure. Although tread design is probably important, as well as vehicle weight, footprint, road surface condition, contaminates, and on and on.

Tires ?

Then there are some of us that ride ole baggers that live at the end of five miles of dirt and blow sand called a road. Dutch

Re-Tire

Yes sir, the fatter 16 inch tire/wheel work much better in the dirt and sand. If I were to travel five miles down the ol dirt road every day I would choose an old bagger too.