Over Heating/ Desert riding
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
Over Heating/ Desert riding
What's been your experience riding in the desert? Someone told a friend of mine that a Harley, his harley, overheats in the desert and it's impossible to ride during the day. You have to ride early in the moring befor eit gets too hot out.
In my opinion, this is all bunk. Maybe his bike is a POS, I don't know. But anyway, I thought I'd throw it out there and see what others have to say about it.
Thanks, and best regards.
In my opinion, this is all bunk. Maybe his bike is a POS, I don't know. But anyway, I thought I'd throw it out there and see what others have to say about it.
Thanks, and best regards.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
The desert will overheat and kill you before it kills your harley. Yeah, it gets hot. Really hot. Went to Palm Springs and Indio in July of 07. Left Indio early and rode through Joshua Tree and into Yucca Valley to Hutchins Harley and stayed in his old time cafe for an hour or so just to cool down a bit. Left there and rode back to Palm Springs and over to Indio to our time share. It was blazing hot by the time we got back. Over 110. Did the three 07 Harleys make it? Yeah, I think they were cooler than we were.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Avondale, AZ
Yeah, I like riding the best during the summer here in Phoenix. My daily commute is around 4PM going west, so 100+ is regular, and the bike does just fine. I had heard the carbed bike didn't fare so well. Anybody want to chime in on that?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 3
From: Inland Empire, So Cal
The desert will overheat and kill you before it kills your harley. Yeah, it gets hot. Really hot. Went to Palm Springs and Indio in July of 07. Left Indio early and rode through Joshua Tree and into Yucca Valley to Hutchins Harley and stayed in his old time cafe for an hour or so just to cool down a bit. Left there and rode back to Palm Springs and over to Indio to our time share. It was blazing hot by the time we got back. Over 110. Did the three 07 Harleys make it? Yeah, I think they were cooler than we were.
Hey Sheep...did you get that 2+ pound burger over at the cafe at Hutchins HD?
If I remember right I think it is 36oz of beef. whoa!!!!!! I have only had breakfast there myself. Cool dealer with some cool ole scoots on display.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
The only time you're going to have an issue in a real hot area is if you're stuck in stop and go traffic often. If that's the case it can be kept in check by an oil cooler. Other than that you should never have an issue in hot weather. Oil temps are usually around 220, outside temps 100 to 110, not really a big deal. Again, unless you have little or no airflow through the cooling fins on the engine (stuck in traffic and not moving).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 4,688
From: West Texas Sandhills
I have ridden in the West Texas desert for several years, sometimes when the temp was 115* and the bike never overheated. As Other Sheep said, you will give out before the bike does. As far as the carbed bike goes, I never had any heat issues when I had my 05 FXST.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
See post below, sorry for the double post.. 
Last edited by Juve996; Mar 23, 2009 at 01:45 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 537
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From: Southern California
Actually carburated engines run a bit richer than the injected engines which tend to run leaner. The richer the mixture, the cooler the engine runs. The extra fuel helps in cooling the engine. To help the lean condition on the injected engine one can install a stage 1 kit. This will include the new fuel management module which is programmed to run richer. It also includes a high volume air cleaner system and mufflers. This kit will not only give you a coller running engine, but it will also add about 12 HP and 12 ft lbs of torque.
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Thread Starter
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
Ok, really good. Thanks everyone for the comments. Sort of told me what I already knew. In general, I think if a motor is overheating then there's something wrong with it or it's underpowered for the load it's under. A bike that's in good running condition should have no problem with the heat.