Have you seen the Love Jugs Mighty Mite fans? Much smaller profile than the standard unit and still work great. I also was not thrilled with the looks so painted them granite to match the motor and they blend in much better. I can send photos if you'd like to see.

As you mentioned, the Love Jugs benefit the motor as the HD fans just provide more rider comfort. Personally, I'd rather feel a little heat on my right leg and dramatically cool my oil temps in slowed/stopped conditions. Plus, if a bike is tuned correctly then at no point should the heat be unbearable. I think a quality tune should be the first defense and is too often ignored by riders.

For what it's worth, I've noticed no issues with my battery even while starting the bike with the fans on. I also don't leave them on full time unless I just space out and forget. However; it doesn't hurt anything.

Good luck!

 

If I could afford it, I might be inclined to install both, since the Love Jugs is on the left side, and the HD Coolflow looks like it's on the right, and I'd hook the Love Jugs to a temperature sensor on the heads, like many here have done, so no switch needed. They would just come on when the temps reach a certain amount, and only go off if it drops below that. Automation is a wonderful thing. Also, this way you keep your leg cool as well as the engine, so best of both worlds.

 

 

We sell a lot of our crotch coolers to those running fans. Like mentioned above they throw the heat right into your leg ..

 

Being an owner of the mighty mite fans for about 20,000 miles now, I can say they really do not put a bunch of heat on your right leg. Anyone with that issue may need to investigate an underlying problem such as a poor tune. Sunny 90+ degree days stuck in construction traffic....my right leg is fine with fans on. I'd even go as far to say that I feel more heat with the fans off Because it just saturates the air around you rather than being blown away. I've tested that theory a few times. But different setups for whatever reason may feel different .

 

Has anyone yet attempted to use the HD coolflow fans on an older touring model? I know they are normally ecm controlled but I would think a 12v source and a switch would work...