Oil temp or head temp which should be checked or just screw it and ride?

 

HD doesn't supply you with instruments for that. You can buy a temp gunbut are you going to carry a multi hundred $ tool with you in your pocket for the hell of it? Or an oil temp / guage for 150$ do you think it is worth having for a daily rider. Well I don't so I go without. as long as your in the wind that engine will not overheat to the point of breakdown.

 

My dakota digital has a head temp readout is why I'm asking. This is my first harley first air cooled bike coming from sport bikes so just getting some info on it. I picked this bike up end of last summer so just want to be prepared and know ahead of time what to expect for this summer. But yes harley does offer oil temp readout products though

 

but you need to buy them, my point being if they were required HD would need to supply them.

I don't mean to come off full attitude, but to answere your original question " just screw it and ride" unless your going to race with it and if your in traffic too long you may have to pull over and let it cool.

 

If CHT is not excessive, oil temp will be fine. At least that's how I see it. Mine gets to 300F, I start to get concerned (rightfully or not) and either get moving or shut it down for a few.

 

I don't like the guessing game, head temp does not reflect actual oil temp. I have installed a gauge, read my post here.

 

I saw that before while doing some searching i just cant bring myself to throw a gauge on my bars like that. Id like a rocker box mounted one like all the pressure gauges they sell

 

Well, I have not seen one like that in the market unless you make your own. Btw it is much harder to look down there imao.

 

I posted a link of one...
For what im doing i dont need constant monitoring. I would just like to know while stuck in traffic or when I've been on the bike for awhile, so a quick check is fine by me. On the inside of my right thigh isnt hard to look at in my opinion

 

The harley digital temp dipstick is the only option I am afraid. Then it is even harder to see
Good luck finding