Operating temperature
Novice
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
From: Iowa
Airplane heads run about 350-375°F.
HD running down highway is about 325° sitting in traffic much higher😳
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 586
Likes: 126
From: Boston
I put on on an amazon radiator guard and i'm getting about 220F going slow/stops and 195F when moving at 40mph or above. This is in about 50-60F ambient temps. Basically it raised the temp about 10 degrees on average. Wondering what will happen when the temps get higher here in new england.
Last edited by tvon; May 23, 2024 at 12:58 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 586
Likes: 126
From: Boston
So i'm having an overheating issue now. Had my PA for 2 years and rarely would the bike get to 210F. I live in the northeast and its honestly cold most of the year. Well this season the bike has been getting up into the 220's from time to time when in stop and go traffic, even at 60/70 degree weather.
Well today was the kicker. We had a 90+ day today, and it was running at 230 unless i was at highway speeds, then it went to 210. At 235 the bike starts to run real rough. And at one point it got up to 250, and it starting making odd clicking/clunking sounds when i pulled the clutch in. Almost like a misfire?
Anyway, i just re-upped my warranty so i'm going to bring it in to have it looked at. I hope its just air in the system or a faulty thermostat. The coolant is full so im not sure what else it could be.
Side note, the ambient temp reading on the dash had me at 135 too (obviously not accurate) but it was a scorcher out there.
Well today was the kicker. We had a 90+ day today, and it was running at 230 unless i was at highway speeds, then it went to 210. At 235 the bike starts to run real rough. And at one point it got up to 250, and it starting making odd clicking/clunking sounds when i pulled the clutch in. Almost like a misfire?
Anyway, i just re-upped my warranty so i'm going to bring it in to have it looked at. I hope its just air in the system or a faulty thermostat. The coolant is full so im not sure what else it could be.
Side note, the ambient temp reading on the dash had me at 135 too (obviously not accurate) but it was a scorcher out there.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 157
Likes: 122
From: Ohio
So i'm having an overheating issue now. Had my PA for 2 years and rarely would the bike get to 210F. I live in the northeast and its honestly cold most of the year. Well this season the bike has been getting up into the 220's from time to time when in stop and go traffic, even at 60/70 degree weather.
Well today was the kicker. We had a 90+ day today, and it was running at 230 unless i was at highway speeds, then it went to 210. At 235 the bike starts to run real rough. And at one point it got up to 250, and it starting making odd clicking/clunking sounds when i pulled the clutch in. Almost like a misfire?
Anyway, i just re-upped my warranty so i'm going to bring it in to have it looked at. I hope its just air in the system or a faulty thermostat. The coolant is full so im not sure what else it could be.
Side note, the ambient temp reading on the dash had me at 135 too (obviously not accurate) but it was a scorcher out there.
Well today was the kicker. We had a 90+ day today, and it was running at 230 unless i was at highway speeds, then it went to 210. At 235 the bike starts to run real rough. And at one point it got up to 250, and it starting making odd clicking/clunking sounds when i pulled the clutch in. Almost like a misfire?
Anyway, i just re-upped my warranty so i'm going to bring it in to have it looked at. I hope its just air in the system or a faulty thermostat. The coolant is full so im not sure what else it could be.
Side note, the ambient temp reading on the dash had me at 135 too (obviously not accurate) but it was a scorcher out there.
Also, did you check the coolant hot or cold? I think it's supposed to be cold.
I'm interested in what you find.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,919
Likes: 3,724
From: Hill Country, TX
The owner's manual specifically lists semi-syn 15W50 and full syn 20W50 as "recommended oils" with excellent cold weather starting capabilities. The new full syn 15W50 oil that is coming out is backwards compatible with all engines that use full syn 20W50.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 586
Likes: 126
From: Boston
Coolant was checked cold, as recommended.
I do run a radiator guard, i removed it and cleaned the radiator just in case (it didnt look dirty). Temps ran alot cooler but at the end of my ride (2-3 hours in) the temps started going kind of nuts again, But nothing over 230.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 586
Likes: 126
From: Boston
Reference for the above statement please.
The owner's manual specifically lists semi-syn 15W50 and full syn 20W50 as "recommended oils" with excellent cold weather starting capabilities. The new full syn 15W50 oil that is coming out is backwards compatible with all engines that use full syn 20W50.
The owner's manual specifically lists semi-syn 15W50 and full syn 20W50 as "recommended oils" with excellent cold weather starting capabilities. The new full syn 15W50 oil that is coming out is backwards compatible with all engines that use full syn 20W50.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 157
Likes: 122
From: Ohio
Yes, Oil is at the full level, it only has 1500 miles since it was last changed.
Coolant was checked cold, as recommended.
I do run a radiator guard, i removed it and cleaned the radiator just in case (it didnt look dirty). Temps ran alot cooler but at the end of my ride (2-3 hours in) the temps started going kind of nuts again, But nothing over 230.
Coolant was checked cold, as recommended.
I do run a radiator guard, i removed it and cleaned the radiator just in case (it didnt look dirty). Temps ran alot cooler but at the end of my ride (2-3 hours in) the temps started going kind of nuts again, But nothing over 230.
Maybe it's a pump issue, either the water pump or oil pump not circulating enough fluid?
Just weird.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,919
Likes: 3,724
From: Hill Country, TX
On another note, I've noticed my coolant temp from 210 to 230 degrees with the outside air temperature being 95-100 degrees. This is with a radiator guard installed. I didn't notice any difference in performance with the coolant temp operating in that range.