Parade Riding
Parade Riding
I know it's a little too early for thinking of the 4th of July parades but my Legion Riders crew has asked me to ride in the parade this year in honor of my brother who was killed in Iraq the day after Christmas in 2006. I have never ridden an air cooled bike in a parade but it would stand to reason that going half a mile an hour or sitting still for prolonged periods in July would not be great on the Sporty. Does anyone have any tips for keeping the bike a little cooler during the 3 hour parade? TIA, Evan
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
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From: Wheeling, WV
Make sure you have some fresh synthetic oil in it before the parade, & just watch the temp gauge (if you have one), and just hope for a breezy day/night. HD's have been ridden in parades for a long time now, and HD even stress tests the motors for parade riding. I wouldn't worry a whole lot. 
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
I have had problems on dino in the summer, heavy stop & go traffic, where I've had to shut it down, you will know when the motor starts running ragged as hell usually when the oil temp. approaches 250*. Never had the problem on syn, as my oil temps stay 20 - 30 degrees cooler than when running dino.
Last edited by cHarley; Feb 19, 2009 at 10:02 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
+1 On the Syn oil.
I ride in parades pretty often. (what a pain!). I've never had a problem with overheating, even in 90 + degree temps.
Start squeezing a rubber ball with your left hand. All of the in and out on the clutch will wear ya out!
I ride in parades pretty often. (what a pain!). I've never had a problem with overheating, even in 90 + degree temps.
Start squeezing a rubber ball with your left hand. All of the in and out on the clutch will wear ya out!
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Thanks for the info cHarley! One of my fellow Legion Riders said to switch to syn before the parade to keep temps down but I wanted confirmation from the forum experts! And SportyPig, thanks for the tip! I was wondering how my left hand would feel clutching like that. It looks like I will have to steal one of the dog's tennis *****!
Consequently, if any of you guys and gals are in the Lebanon, Indiana area (20 mins north of Indy) on April 25th, we are having a ride for my brother. It is the Joey Strong Memorial Scholarship Fund ride and it is being put on by my Legion Post 113. This is the first annual and I am just hoping for a good turnout since it's so early in the riding season for some in my area. I figured since he gave his life so I could be safe, its the least I could to to honor his, as well as all, of the sacrifices of our brave men and women in uniform.
Consequently, if any of you guys and gals are in the Lebanon, Indiana area (20 mins north of Indy) on April 25th, we are having a ride for my brother. It is the Joey Strong Memorial Scholarship Fund ride and it is being put on by my Legion Post 113. This is the first annual and I am just hoping for a good turnout since it's so early in the riding season for some in my area. I figured since he gave his life so I could be safe, its the least I could to to honor his, as well as all, of the sacrifices of our brave men and women in uniform.
Last edited by ecaldwell78; Feb 19, 2009 at 11:13 AM. Reason: added content
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,541
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From: Elyria, OH
Does the EFI Sportster have the option to kill the rear cylinder when engine temp gets hot? I know the BT's will shut down the rear cylinder at idle if the engine gets hot to help control temps (and heat on your legs)
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
Consequently, if any of you guys and gals are in the Lebanon, Indiana area (20 mins north of Indy) on April 25th, we are having a ride for my brother. It is the Joey Strong Memorial Scholarship Fund ride and it is being put on by my Legion Post 113. This is the first annual and I am just hoping for a good turnout since it's so early in the riding season for some in my area. I figured since he gave his life so I could be safe, its the least I could to to honor his, as well as all, of the sacrifices of our brave men and women in uniform.