Oil Temp
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,300
Likes: 6,325
From: Honah Lee
Hard Core
"Summer Months" here mean anything from 105 to 120F. 240-250 is what the reading is when I stop from normal riding speeds. Temp is taken off the dipstick gauge. Funeral speeds are 25 for around 30 minutes, stop and go means 0-5mph. When I'm done for the day the thighs are medium rare using a steak cooking guidance sheet.
Getting ready for work. Its 95.1 on the outside thermometer and I am already thinking the AC in the truck sure would fill good. However my night ride at 12AM will be great on the Harley. I am glad its not 120F. That would be a tough decision
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 2
From: Gastonia, NC
I wondered about the same thing. Mine has been running about 220-230 the last couple of weeks but we've had constant 90 to near 100 temps. We were out in my C6 Corvette this afternoon (95 degrees) and I was running 225 degrees oil temp in it with 208 water temps. I guess this is just fine. Oil does fine as long as it's not flowing all over the ocean. Hate that situation in the Gulf.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,386
Likes: 254
From: Southern California
2010 Heritage Softail 96 CID B Motor. Oil temp stays pretty steady at 210 (Highest day temp so far was 96 F). I use a MoCo Dip Stick Dial (not digital) Thermometer. I validated it with a Fluke immersion Pyrometer and was shocked to discover that the MoCo Dipstick Thermometer was actually accurate . . . go figure. Significantly I also have the MoCo Oil Cooler. Before I added the Oil Cooler seeing 230 on a 75 F day wasn't all that unusual.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,386
Likes: 254
From: Southern California
I wondered about the same thing. Mine has been running about 220-230 the last couple of weeks but we've had constant 90 to near 100 temps. We were out in my C6 Corvette this afternoon (95 degrees) and I was running 225 degrees oil temp in it with 208 water temps. I guess this is just fine. Oil does fine as long as it's not flowing all over the ocean. Hate that situation in the Gulf.
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Temps below 250 are fine, its when they go over that for extended periods of time that bad things start to happen.
The engine itself can handle temps that would make the bike virtually impossible to ride for short periods of time.
But the additives in the oil start to loose their effectiveness at a progressively greater rate the higher the temps go or longer they stay up there.
Synthetic oils can handle higher temps for longer periods than Dino oils can and even lower overall engine temps through better thermal transmission.
But the additives are the same for both and they suffer the same deleterious effects from the heat no matter what kind of oil they are in.
The engine itself can handle temps that would make the bike virtually impossible to ride for short periods of time.
But the additives in the oil start to loose their effectiveness at a progressively greater rate the higher the temps go or longer they stay up there.
Synthetic oils can handle higher temps for longer periods than Dino oils can and even lower overall engine temps through better thermal transmission.
But the additives are the same for both and they suffer the same deleterious effects from the heat no matter what kind of oil they are in.
Novice
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Delaware, Ohio
I can't believe anyone is still buying BP gasoline. I wouldn't go into one of thier stations for anything. They have dicked around and lied and screwed up the Gulf Coast. Fix it. No business from me until you do.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
Likes: 3,869
From: Upstate New York
Those new bikes do run a bit warmer than the Evos, don't they? My '94 Softail (Heritage) runs a consistent 100-110 deg. above ambient temp. on the highway, measured at the oil tank. That means my oil temp is about 185 degrees on an 80 degree day.
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
That's why the first thing everyone does is install some form of aftermarket fuel managment setup to richen the mixture.