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Author Topic: Alloy Wheels= rougher ride?  (Read 829 times)

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Roadking98blue

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Alloy Wheels= rougher ride?
« on: October 14, 2019, 05:13:51 PM »

Hey guys, I just purchased a "new to me" 2011 CVO Electra Glide Ultra.  4500 miles, so barley broken in.  I also just sold a 2003 Anniv. Electra Glide Classic (for comparison).  I have been chasing a rougher ride from the old to the new.  New Progressive Monotubes in the front and then Bitubo's in the rear, but still cannot get a ride as smooth at the old EGC!

The new bike has alloy wheels and the old bikes spokes.  To any of you that have ridden both, find that the alloy wheels just give a rougher ride in general?
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grc

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Re: Alloy Wheels= rougher ride?
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2019, 07:41:53 PM »


The aluminum wheels are rigid whereas steel rims with spokes have a small amount of flex, but I'm not sure most people could really feel that much difference if everything else was the same.  There is a weight difference between the two bikes that can also have some affect, plus I believe Harley purposely stiffened up the front end over that same time frame with a different damping system.

Jerry
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Jerry - 2005 Cherry SEEG  -  Member # 1155

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Re: Alloy Wheels= rougher ride?
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2019, 06:18:12 AM »

What's the tire size on the old vs the new? I think the '11 has a smaller sidewall due to a taller rim size which would cause that.
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grc

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Re: Alloy Wheels= rougher ride?
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2019, 08:23:53 AM »


The 2003 came with MT90B16's front and rear which is equivalent to a 130/90B16, and the 2011 CVO came with 130/80B17 front and 180/65B16 rear.  So the sidewall height is shorter on the 2011 by approximately 1/2" (13mm) up front.  That will make a difference as well.

Jerry
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Jerry - 2005 Cherry SEEG  -  Member # 1155

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Re: Alloy Wheels= rougher ride?
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2019, 09:38:31 AM »

I felt the spoke flex some years back when I let off the gas while pulling my trailer
 it would wag and then stop when I got back on the gas. When I stopped I could   see one side of the rear wheel spokes broke and the other side was starting to go. Guess I was lucky to find this before it got ugly. For that reason I only run mags from then on. :nervous:
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