Question about Exhaust Wrap vs. Heat Shields
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
When I first got my '11 WG, I felt like my right leg was cooking, even with the stock heat-shields. Then I installed the SE Stage 1 a/c kit (the one that fits under the stock cover). Just moving my leg away from the pipes a little bit helped a lot with that.
Then I installed the Rush slip-ons and the PC-V from FuelMoto. I no longer have any issue with heat.
With FuelMoto, you tell them what mods you have on your bike, and they load the optimum map, based on their experience with dyno-tuning.
If you just got the Power Commander (you didn't specify which one), and didn't have a map loaded to it, you probably need to go to the Power Commander site and load the map which matches your mods.
You should go to the Power Commander website and see which map most closely matches your bike. If you got it from FuelMoto, they should have loaded the correct map for your application. If not, you can download maps from the Dynojet website. I would call their customer support line and tell them about the issue, then see about getting the correct map installed.
You probably don't want to lean out the mixture, as running lean tends to heat things up.
I would try loading the appropriate map before doing anything with heat shields or wrap. The maps are free.
Then I installed the Rush slip-ons and the PC-V from FuelMoto. I no longer have any issue with heat.
With FuelMoto, you tell them what mods you have on your bike, and they load the optimum map, based on their experience with dyno-tuning.
If you just got the Power Commander (you didn't specify which one), and didn't have a map loaded to it, you probably need to go to the Power Commander site and load the map which matches your mods.
You should go to the Power Commander website and see which map most closely matches your bike. If you got it from FuelMoto, they should have loaded the correct map for your application. If not, you can download maps from the Dynojet website. I would call their customer support line and tell them about the issue, then see about getting the correct map installed.
You probably don't want to lean out the mixture, as running lean tends to heat things up.
I would try loading the appropriate map before doing anything with heat shields or wrap. The maps are free.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 479
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
+1, my heat shields were quite a bit cooler than my wrap. The wrap is definitely uncomfortable heat.
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
I'm pretty sure that TK Glider meant for you to take the shields off, wrap the pipes, and then put the shields back on. That way theoretically the pipes would be cooler because they are wrapped and then the heat from the cooler wrapped pipe is further deflected by the shield.
that clarified - i have no idea if it would work. i'm reading this thread because I'm trying to figure out the same thing as you - except by pipes and shields are stock. but in the summer when I have shorts is freakin hot - even if i have jeans on in which case i'm a melted puddle with a hot leg because its freakin hot, i have my jeas on, and my pipes are really freakin hot.
i like the look of wrap, but dont want to do it for that reason alone.
that clarified - i have no idea if it would work. i'm reading this thread because I'm trying to figure out the same thing as you - except by pipes and shields are stock. but in the summer when I have shorts is freakin hot - even if i have jeans on in which case i'm a melted puddle with a hot leg because its freakin hot, i have my jeas on, and my pipes are really freakin hot.
i like the look of wrap, but dont want to do it for that reason alone.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Yeah...I have my pipes wrapped. Looks sick, but still gets hot as hell. I keep getting burned on my right leg, but I'm not sure if it's my A/C or pipes. I might unwrap my pipes and put heat shields on to see if that helps.
Stage III
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Wrap
I have an 05 Road Glide and I think that I am going to remove my heat sheilds, wrap the pipes and reinstall the sheilds. Has anyone ever tried this? I am looking into drilling my heat sheilds for that rat rod look.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
If you drill holes in the heat shield you will effectively eliminate the heat shield. I was amazed how much hotter my leg gets with the Tommy gun shields over my old pipes with no holes in the shields.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 36
From: Montana
I actually caught my leg on fire with thunderheader exhaust and exhaust wrap. boy my friends thought it was a riot. I was not so amused. I always go for heat shields now. No heat issues anymore for me. I know its tempting to use the wrap it looks bad *** but it still runs very hot.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 883
Likes: 2
From: Irving-Texas
Like others I have used both, I really liked the wrap on my Thuderheader and it seemed to work fine, It takes upkeep like mentioned-I ran wrapped for about a yr and a half, but a shop was putting 02 sensors back on and tore it up some so after trying to fix it I finally gave up and was gonna re-wrap, but I found a set of heat shields for about $30 off so I got those and put them on-the shields actually are cooler even on a good wrap job so Im staying with that. You can do some tuning on your PC map if its a PCIII, if you got it from fuel moto they will help, you can get hold of PC on the web or call them they will help make a map for you or advise the best out of box, or get it tuned. I went from the PC to TTS Mastertune. I like the TTS better but I liked the PC as well.
PC is on one of the forums and will answer Questions and send maps.
PC is on one of the forums and will answer Questions and send maps.
Novice
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Central North Carolina
Burning my butt on my 2009 FLSTHC
Just bought a 2009 peace Officer edt. Heritage that was purchased, dealer customized, stored due to an unfortunate accident, not bike related. I have allot of shrine parts. original exhaust, then Long Shots and finally it has Sampson Fish Tails, but the rear cylinder exhaust crosses over to the left and with the heat shield it still burns my inner thigh through my jeans. The bike has 1450 miles on it and I believe it. It seems to idle to fast but I hear that is the norm for EFI bikes. When I come to a stop, I have to lean to the right to keep from cooking my leg. Maybe if I were a little taller it wouldn't be a problem, but I am only getting shorter.
