How hot does it really get ?
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: West Seneca New York
How hot does it really get ?
I just traded my 2001 Road King for a 2007 FLHT. I wanted the 96 cu in and the six speed. I have read some post that the newer engines run hot ? I am from Western NY and the summers can be warm at times. I was wondering if an oil cooler is enough to keep it under control ? I plan on changing over to synthetic oil but not sure if that is enough ? Any thoughts ? Thanks
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 2
From: DUNDALK,MARYLAND
If you want to cool your engine down the engine fans work well. Oil cooler lower your engine oil temp if you are riding. But they do make a engine oil cooler with a fan was help more of the time. The lenale fan cost around $250. work very well for cooling my engines.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 596
Likes: 39
From:
I have an '07 RK and it's basically stock, but I run a Power Commander with a stock canned map and it runs just as cool as my softail 88 CI. Definitely go synthetic oil. You'll love it. I don't think I've had a better running motorcycle than my 96 CI Harley. 30 sumthin thousand trouble free miles with it.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 251
Likes: 2
From: Upstate, NY
I'm near Syracuse. I have an '07 Ultra that ran really hot. This was our fourth Harley, so we had a little experience with Harleys. Now, they all seem to be a little different. Our '07 Ultra was really bad! A friend's '07 Street Glide was fine. I think a lot of it had to do with the lowers on our Ultra and that bike in particular.
In stock form, at one point my wife refused to ride the Ultra. After the Stage I, engine still ran too hot! For comparison purposes, we also, have a '06 RKC, that never gets that hot, even after being stuck in traffic. The '06 RKC has a custom map, synthetic oil, no oil cooler. Engine will get a little hot if sitting in traffic (not unbearable), being air cooled it should get hot, but cools right down once you are in the clear.
So, on the '07 Ultra, did a 103 Stage II, oil cooler, synthetic oil, and dyno tune. Hated the bike before, love the bike now! Being a heavy bike and with the '07 gearing, our Ultra really needed the 103.
IMHO, running synthetic oil, Stage I and some type of fuel management system (setup correctly) you will probably be fine.
In stock form, at one point my wife refused to ride the Ultra. After the Stage I, engine still ran too hot! For comparison purposes, we also, have a '06 RKC, that never gets that hot, even after being stuck in traffic. The '06 RKC has a custom map, synthetic oil, no oil cooler. Engine will get a little hot if sitting in traffic (not unbearable), being air cooled it should get hot, but cools right down once you are in the clear.
So, on the '07 Ultra, did a 103 Stage II, oil cooler, synthetic oil, and dyno tune. Hated the bike before, love the bike now! Being a heavy bike and with the '07 gearing, our Ultra really needed the 103.
IMHO, running synthetic oil, Stage I and some type of fuel management system (setup correctly) you will probably be fine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,551
Likes: 2
From: Contributor to HDForums.com
My wife told me, after riding the '08 Ultra on a hot day, to either fix it or sell it. It was HOT and not much fun to ride on a hot day.
I had my dealer install a Screamin' Eagle Race Tuner and SE intake. Those combined with the Rush slip on muffs and a dyno tune and the thing is PERFECT and runs like a scalded dog!
I had my dealer install a Screamin' Eagle Race Tuner and SE intake. Those combined with the Rush slip on muffs and a dyno tune and the thing is PERFECT and runs like a scalded dog!
Trending Topics
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,190
Likes: 5
From: Eastern Washington
As far as riding, I really dont notice any heat difference on my 09 FLHX than I had one my 98 fatboy. I dont have oil temp gauges on either bike so I can't tell you if one runs hotter than the other, but I cant tell any difference
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 85
From: Nevada
IMHO the single best thing you can do is a stage 1 upgrade, preferably with a tuner rather than the HD download. Synthetic oil is also a plus.
I added an oil cooler but probably could have gotten away without it.
I added an oil cooler but probably could have gotten away without it.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: New Hampster!
I would think that there are many stock HD running around southern states, in the desert, hell even south of the border........but I know what you mean about the newer ones running hotter sign of the times