Finally got to ride my RGU M8
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 616
Likes: 38
I have had it since November, the bad weather kept me off of it until today. Got up to 70 Degrees here in IA. Took the afternoon off and got 107 miles in!
The stage II is incredible! A little noise in the top end of the motor, but runs very smooth and pulls like a workhorse. Will likely quiet down with some miles. Picking up quite a bit of heat on the right ankle, but vents were closed on the lowers. Couldn't really open it up yet, but damn, I love this bike. I can't imagine a stage IV, and now I'm seeing posts on V!
Also, I put a Long Ride medium tint 13" shield on this winter. Man, huge difference over the stock. Not sure about the passenger, but wind noise is drastically reduced for the rider.
The stage II is incredible! A little noise in the top end of the motor, but runs very smooth and pulls like a workhorse. Will likely quiet down with some miles. Picking up quite a bit of heat on the right ankle, but vents were closed on the lowers. Couldn't really open it up yet, but damn, I love this bike. I can't imagine a stage IV, and now I'm seeing posts on V!
Also, I put a Long Ride medium tint 13" shield on this winter. Man, huge difference over the stock. Not sure about the passenger, but wind noise is drastically reduced for the rider.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 47
Likes: 4
From: Baltimore
Do you think the heat on the right heel/ankle is specifically from the cat or just the exhaust regardless? Was thinking of removing my cat if it's the culprit
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
Having just removed my cats from my 2016, I can say unequivocally - it's both. HOWEVER, the cats are the bulk of the heat. MUCH less noticeable with no cats and a tune.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 616
Likes: 38
The cat is further back on the 17 I didnt notice the problem with my 14 when the cat was closer to my foot. its got to be with that pipe running right by the floor board.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 216
From: Davenport, IA
That's what I was thinking too. I'm taking mine down to Bike Week, so hopefully will have the nice weather to see just how hot it does get - especially at slower speeds.
HD EFI Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,462
Likes: 4,718
Today was a nice day and got to take the '17 RG out for a little 300 mile ride. Weather was in the upper 70's and each time I came up to a stop the oil cooler fan was on and the engine EITMS came on. Mind you this happen just as I came off the interstate and I had been traveling between 70 - 75 mph for about an hour straight. Traveled down a back road through the mountains that had a speed limit of 55 mph and when you came into a town it dropped 35 - 40 mph. That road was 44 miles long and I travel through three towns along the way. Each and every time I slowed into a town if I missed a traffic light both the EITMS and oil cooler fan were on when I stopped.
So what does this mean, I do not know, but sure glad I added the oil cooler with fan because come summer time and the heat goes back up to its normal 80 - 100 degree IMHO your going to need it from what I saw today.
My route was I-5 north from LA to 99 north to Bakersfield. Turned around in Bakersfield and took 99 back to 5 and got off at Hwy 126 west. That's an old Hwy that runs through the mountains over to the coast. Took Hwy 1 back down the coast to LA.
So what does this mean, I do not know, but sure glad I added the oil cooler with fan because come summer time and the heat goes back up to its normal 80 - 100 degree IMHO your going to need it from what I saw today.
My route was I-5 north from LA to 99 north to Bakersfield. Turned around in Bakersfield and took 99 back to 5 and got off at Hwy 126 west. That's an old Hwy that runs through the mountains over to the coast. Took Hwy 1 back down the coast to LA.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,619
Likes: 11,353
From: State of Confusion
I got to put 2000 miles on mine in Sept/Oct and we hit about 80 a couple times..my perception was I wasn't feeling quite as much heat at stops as my Rushmore King but let's face it..when we're back in the 80-100 weather I'm not disillusioned enough to forget I'm still basically sitting on an air cooled big v-twin engine...not expecting miracles, but better is better and my Twin Cams heat never seemed to bother me as much as many I guess..is what it is and I love riding these things
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HD EFI Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,462
Likes: 4,718
The only time my '14 ever bother me was when stuck in bumper to bumper LA traffic, so once summer comes around I will be able to tell better about the '17. While I do not expect a whole lot, as you said better is better and I do not mind spending a few $$$ to help it out. Hell I've still got to many of these things as I cannot seem to sell the old ones. Currently own 2002 Vrod, 2011 RG, 2012 Dyna, 2014 Limited, 2017 RK and 2017 Limited. Still ride them all.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 2,996
From: Charleston, SC
Today was a nice day and got to take the '17 RG out for a little 300 mile ride. Weather was in the upper 70's and each time I came up to a stop the oil cooler fan was on and the engine EITMS came on. Mind you this happen just as I came off the interstate and I had been traveling between 70 - 75 mph for about an hour straight. Traveled down a back road through the mountains that had a speed limit of 55 mph and when you came into a town it dropped 35 - 40 mph. That road was 44 miles long and I travel through three towns along the way. Each and every time I slowed into a town if I missed a traffic light both the EITMS and oil cooler fan were on when I stopped.
So what does this mean, I do not know, but sure glad I added the oil cooler with fan because come summer time and the heat goes back up to its normal 80 - 100 degree IMHO your going to need it from what I saw today.
So what does this mean, I do not know, but sure glad I added the oil cooler with fan because come summer time and the heat goes back up to its normal 80 - 100 degree IMHO your going to need it from what I saw today.
Apparently as found out by someone else, the fans turn on at 220 head temp so if you run the bike at all, they will always come on. EITMS, basically the same thing.
That said, every little bit helps and I think the fan will be a welcome addition and perhaps the additives in your oil will last longer extending oil life.
The engine itself probably doesn't need it or care. It's designed to handle high oil temps; although, engines do run better not all heat soaked (timing pulled) so a higher performance effect may also be experienced.
And maybe, just maybe, the seat will feel a few degrees cooler.
Would love to see some data on that. Love that feature in my twin-cooled.
Last edited by lp; Mar 4, 2017 at 10:54 AM.