Rear wheel size change

[gallowglass]

Can anyone tell me what effect changing the rear wheel size on my Trident from 18 inch to 17 inch would have on handling?

[roadrunsl]

The 18 rear tire have a bigger diameter and because of this is much comfortable to ride. The 17 rear tire is more light and is good for sport riding. I prefer the 18, but if you are going to change from 18 to 17 you must change the rear sprocket from 46 to 43 and chain - from 112 to 110 ! :???:

[gallowglass]

Thanks for the info
I was thinking of changing the rear wheel to a 17 mostly due to tyre availability. Your post has given me something to think about as I mostly tour not sport ride thanks again

[blue885]

Since you tour more than sport ride, it's worth noting that the 160/60-18 rear size on the Trident is the same size used by the '94-03 BMW oilhead twins (R1100R, RT, RS) and four-cylinder K1100RS. Those bikes will doubtless be running 15-20 years from now and touring/sport-touring tires will be available until the last one crashes.

I have a 1996 peed Triple 17 inch rear wheel on my 1996 Trident, and I think it handles better than stock. As for comfort, I rode it straight through from my parent's house, in Tennessee to my home in Denver, a couple of years ago. 1185 miles in 20 hours...it's fairly comfortable to ride.

It does turn in better with a 180 section rear tire than a 190, but that's to be expected.

Uh, SPEED Triple, not "peed"...