M8 Liquid Cooled
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5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
From: South Carolina
M8 Liquid Cooled
Forgive what may be a dumb question bc I just got my license and haven’t purchased my first bike yet...
Is 2018-2020 M8 liquid cooled or “oil cooled” only? (I’m specifically looking at a Fatboy and Fat Bob)
I’ve read both...and also read only on the touring models...I live in SC and it gets hot AF here and have concerns about overheating with all that I’ve read...
rep a local dealership skirted the question, but I didn’t know enough on that trip to probe further w/ questions...
thanks!!
Is 2018-2020 M8 liquid cooled or “oil cooled” only? (I’m specifically looking at a Fatboy and Fat Bob)
I’ve read both...and also read only on the touring models...I live in SC and it gets hot AF here and have concerns about overheating with all that I’ve read...
rep a local dealership skirted the question, but I didn’t know enough on that trip to probe further w/ questions...
thanks!!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,312
From: Virginia
Only the touring bikes with the lower fairings (ultra, limited, CVO) have liquid cooled heads on them. And only the heads, not the entire motor, are liquid cooled. Harley hides the radiators in the lower fairings.
None of the Softails are liquid cooled.
But plenty of people ride them in the heat and the air cooled bikes do just fine.
None of the Softails are liquid cooled.
But plenty of people ride them in the heat and the air cooled bikes do just fine.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 290
Likes: 67
From: Fairfax, Va
Welcome, Cooper,
Depends on which M8 bike, but the Fat Boys and Fat Bob's, which are part of the "Softail" line, are all air/oil cooled. They don't actually overheat, per say, but they do get hot.
I wouldn't worry about it, zillions of folks down your way have have air, or air and oil cooled bikes. I'm in Va, near DC, and it gets hot and humid here too.
Depends on which M8 bike, but the Fat Boys and Fat Bob's, which are part of the "Softail" line, are all air/oil cooled. They don't actually overheat, per say, but they do get hot.
I wouldn't worry about it, zillions of folks down your way have have air, or air and oil cooled bikes. I'm in Va, near DC, and it gets hot and humid here too.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 162
Likes: 49
From: United Kingdom
Forgive what may be a dumb question bc I just got my license and haven’t purchased my first bike yet...
Is 2018-2020 M8 liquid cooled or “oil cooled” only? (I’m specifically looking at a Fatboy and Fat Bob)
I’ve read both...and also read only on the touring models...I live in SC and it gets hot AF here and have concerns about overheating with all that I’ve read...
rep a local dealership skirted the question, but I didn’t know enough on that trip to probe further w/ questions...
thanks!!
Is 2018-2020 M8 liquid cooled or “oil cooled” only? (I’m specifically looking at a Fatboy and Fat Bob)
I’ve read both...and also read only on the touring models...I live in SC and it gets hot AF here and have concerns about overheating with all that I’ve read...
rep a local dealership skirted the question, but I didn’t know enough on that trip to probe further w/ questions...
thanks!!
From ultimatemotocycling
There are three flavors of the Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight motor. The standard Milwaukee-Eight 107 features oil-cooled cylinder heads and a displacement of 107 cubic inches (1750cc). The Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 107 is the same displacement, but has liquid cooling for the heads. At the top of the line is the Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114, which has liquid-cooled cylinder heads and displaces 114 cubes (1870cc). For the first year, the Milwaukee-Eight powerplants will be used exclusively in Touring and three-wheel models.”
Last edited by Tomo 87; Jul 26, 2020 at 10:18 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 162
Likes: 49
From: United Kingdom
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 689
Likes: 339
From: Dayton OH
Oil & air cooled for softails. Which is fine except if you idle lots like in a parade then they can get pretty hot for bike & rider. Aftermarket has a little fan assisted oil cooler that can be used with softails to help no air extended idle parade type use.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 108
Likes: 33
From: Ontario, Canada
Both are great bikes, I own a 2018 FXFBS and it is air & oil cooled.
Also read about the Harley Engine Idle Temperature Management System (EITMS)
Good luck, have fun & ride safe!
Also read about the Harley Engine Idle Temperature Management System (EITMS)
Good luck, have fun & ride safe!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,031
From: Carlsbad, CA
The water & oil cooled heads do very little for reducing engine & oil temperature. They are designed to take heat from the exhaust valve area to reduce rider and passenger heat on the butt.
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Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
From: South Carolina
Why doesn’t HD go to a liquid cooled engine...is there a drawback? It seems most other companies do and I’ve read quite a bit (bc I don’t own yet) that over heating has been an issue for a number of years...
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 1,059
From: SE Washington
I will say that the M8s, both oil and water cooled, are the most comfortable Harleys I've been on in stock form.
Last edited by MTBIG G; Jul 26, 2020 at 05:32 PM.