engine heat
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From:
engine heat
I have read about how lean harley has had to make the bikes, I am waiting for my Road King, been told Oct. Anyway my question I was told in the past to leave the bike stock for the first year and see whatI want, now reading some of the comments made on another post that was locked, if you leave the bike stock it will in time damage the engine due to the heat, if this is true I don't want to damage the bike before I get the years of fun out of it, should I look at the upgrades or will it be fine for a year or so, I would like the slipons to give it a better sound but other than that just askin.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 3
From: Southern Ohio
RE: engine heat
I've never heard of a stock bike being damaged by heat, although they do run leaner than ideal to meet EPA regs, and therefore hotter than most of us want...the issue is that when you go making changes affecting the air/fuel mix, you need to get a good fuel management system...yes, the bike will run cooler, and you'll get a small performance increase...it's a good investment, and you can make those changes any time you like...
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Jonestown, PA
RE: engine heat
By running lean/hot, all that does is accelerate wear and tear in the motor. It'ssimilar toconstantly overheating your car. Heat is your enemy. The previous post that was locked does have some good info in it about options you have(outside of the name calling that started to take over at the end, I was guilty of it too). Also, check out the forum on ECM and FI...good info out there.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
RE: engine heat
This is going to get all the boo babies pissed at me again but I couldn't care less. My '08 super glide custom doesn't run excessively hot, and I have not done anything to the fuel/air. I have Cycle Shack slip ons, but they made no change in temp. You will see alot of people adding tuners and changing their air set ups to reduce heat. If my scoot got so hot that it was a worry I would take it back to the dealer and they would take care of it, and yes, they have already told me that before I bought it. I'll be damned if I would spend one penny to correct an issue that shouldn't be an issue to begin with. Now if you want to change your pipes, besides slip ons, or you want another 10 hp or so, go ahead and throw your money away on the above, otherwise ride it as it is and if it's too hot take it back until they fix it, and they will.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
RE: engine heat
Preventive maintenance is always better than reacting to something that's happened, that's why staying on top of the bike's maintenance is important. In this case I'd rather spend a little money to make the bike run cooler on the slight chance the heat could possibly cause issues later on as the years add up. Plus it runs better, I like the little touches that make it mine, so in my mind it's win-win.
Madame Moderator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25,140
Likes: 12
From: The Peach State
RE: engine heat
I put 2" Rush Slipons on my '06 Deluxe hoping to get away with not needing to make any changes to the air cleaner or fuel air mix, but since the weather warmed up, have been getting alot more decel pop going on and the bike does seem to run a tad hotter. I've seen lots of pipes out there with alot of blueing going on and have been told that if I continue to run the bike this way, I risk having the same bluing happen to my pipes. So I'm getting a AN Big Sucker air cleaner and a power commander to hopefully get the pop out and cool the bike a bit. Total cost with a friend doing the install and mapping is $388. Pipes cost like $236.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 3
From: Southern Ohio
RE: engine heat
ORIGINAL: ezriderpgh
This is going to get all the boo babies pissed at me again but I couldn't care less. My '08 super glide custom doesn't run excessively hot, and I have not done anything to the fuel/air. I have Cycle Shack slip ons, but they made no change in temp. You will see alot of people adding tuners and changing their air set ups to reduce heat. If my scoot got so hot that it was a worry I would take it back to the dealer and they would take care of it, and yes, they have already told me that before I bought it. I'll be damned if I would spend one penny to correct an issue that should be an issue to begin with. Now if you want to change your pipes, besides slip ons, or you want another 10 hp or so, go ahead and throw your money away on the above, otherwise ride it as it is and if it's too hot take it back until they fix it, and they will.
This is going to get all the boo babies pissed at me again but I couldn't care less. My '08 super glide custom doesn't run excessively hot, and I have not done anything to the fuel/air. I have Cycle Shack slip ons, but they made no change in temp. You will see alot of people adding tuners and changing their air set ups to reduce heat. If my scoot got so hot that it was a worry I would take it back to the dealer and they would take care of it, and yes, they have already told me that before I bought it. I'll be damned if I would spend one penny to correct an issue that should be an issue to begin with. Now if you want to change your pipes, besides slip ons, or you want another 10 hp or so, go ahead and throw your money away on the above, otherwise ride it as it is and if it's too hot take it back until they fix it, and they will.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
From: Lake Arrowhead, ca
RE: engine heat
Heat ain't good (air cooled engines) but unless you are just letting it idle for a long time in hot weather, you should have no problem. I live in SOCAL and it gets hot. I've bben running in the desert in 110 degrees. Look at the year of my scoot. It's still here!
Stop worrying. You'll be happy with it (if you ever get it).
Stop worrying. You'll be happy with it (if you ever get it).
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 2
From: DUNDALK,MARYLAND
RE: engine heat
Hey the new guy had a good question. So get him a good anwser. It has been ask be many bikers. The best way is your riding habits. Do you do stop and go traffic or parades. If so an oil cooler and and engine fan can help. If your bike is running good ride it.
