| Author | Message | ||
     Ft_bstrd |
There have been countless threads requesting advice on how one might be able to fashion a larger front wheel onto the Uly. I was able to ride two different KTMs at Buelltoberfest, the 990 Adventure and the 950 Super Enduro R. Both had 21" front wheels with 18" rear wheels. The biggest characteristic that this mismatched wheel size creates in a street bike is the tendency for the larger front wheel to lag falling into the turn. The rear would actually track first into the turn followed by the front. It was like riding a unicycle with a front wheel outrigger. It created a very imprecise steering response. It felt VERY odd indeed. So for those of you hoping to place a larger front wheel on the Uly, be careful what you wish for. You might end up with a bike better for off road but one that handles like a complete pig on the road. Getting back on the Uly, the front and rear now felt like they were locked on the same rail. | ||
| Jphish |
Fatty - Thanks for interjecting some common sense into the endless discussion of the "size matters" front wheel debate. The Uly handles better on the blacktop than any bike I've ever owned (and thats been a few) with the added dimension of some mild to moderate dirt road capabilities. I don't see how they could improve on the compromise they have already achieved & still retain it's stellar tarmac performance. If I want mostly dirt, thats what the KLR is for - if I want touring, thats the ST1300 roll... But find myself planning trips around the Uly, while they kill their batteries in the garage. | ||
| Rubberdown |
Apples and oranges. The Uly is a road bike. The other bikes have designs for more than one type of terrain. | ||
| Bertotti |
I still want a 19 inch front wheel with a modified rake. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Rubberdown, EXACTLY! That's the point. The Uly was designed to be primarily a road bike with the ability to do light duty off road (no super loose sand, sloppy mud). Placing a larger front wheel on the Uly will yield only marginal improvements off road but will completely wreck the road handling for which Buells are known. You can jack up a Camaro and place 44" mudders on it, but it still won't be a Humvee or a Jeep. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Shhhh dont tell her that she is a road bike. she doesnt know any better.  |
