Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Optimal oil Temp?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 26, 2011 | 08:39 AM
  #1  
ranger50's Avatar
ranger50
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 3
From: Adirondack Mtns., NY
Default Optimal oil Temp?

Hey everyone. Got a question... I own a 2002 XLH 883. Has anyone have an idea what is the best Oil Temp range?? Just bought an oil temp guage and shes been running at 150-155 degrees, and I'd like to know if this is within good limits or not. Thanks in advance.
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 09:13 AM
  #2  
RAL's Avatar
RAL
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by ranger50
Hey everyone. Got a question... I own a 2002 XLH 883. Has anyone have an idea what is the best Oil Temp range?? Just bought an oil temp guage and shes been running at 150-155 degrees, and I'd like to know if this is within good limits or not. Thanks in advance.
200 / 210 but it takes a while to get there.


RAL
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 09:37 AM
  #3  
ranger50's Avatar
ranger50
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 3
From: Adirondack Mtns., NY
Default

Originally Posted by RAL
200 / 210 but it takes a while to get there.


RAL
Thanks Man. I have been taking long rides all thru the Adirondacks, and the temp hasent gotten above 155-158. So, I guess that a cooler running bike should be ok, I guess that I should be happy with that.
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 09:43 AM
  #4  
knightenforcer's Avatar
knightenforcer
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 819
Likes: 6
From: Long Island N.Y.
Default

200-205F on mine(analog temp gauge) after riding approx 40 miles with ambient air temp 72-74 F.
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 09:44 AM
  #5  
1200Cdriver's Avatar
1200Cdriver
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
Default

R, I have a 2007 1200C with 14,800 miles on it, when new the oil temp ran 220 to 240, at about 2,500 miles I installed a PCIII and since that it rarely goes above 205. At 60 to 70 degrees it runs about 195. I don't know the optimum though. On a 95 to 100 degree day on I-95 it will run right at 200. I live about 35 miles from I-95 so the bike is well warmed up when I get on it.
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 01:18 PM
  #6  
GeorgeWW's Avatar
GeorgeWW
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Default

Is there an oil temp. gauge that is preferred on better then another? Part numbers please.
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 01:22 PM
  #7  
GeorgeWW's Avatar
GeorgeWW
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Default

The guys that are running the lower temps are you running sythetic oil or oil cooler?
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 01:43 PM
  #8  
TSD1959's Avatar
TSD1959
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 466
Likes: 3
From: Cave Creek, AZ
Default

No temp guage, but I think mine runs about 1000 degrees on 110-115 degree summer days, or at least feels like it. The sportster engine basic design has been around since before dirt was invented. They keep going, so as long as it has some airflow over it, I quit worrying about it.

Keep clean oil and filter, and you're good to go.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 26, 2011 | 01:45 PM
  #9  
Spur56's Avatar
Spur56
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 540
Likes: 3
From: Nooga, TN
Default

200 to 250 is good to evaporate water and other liquid contaminants. Should not run below 180 unless you do a lot of long distance. Needs to get hot enough long enough to evaporate stuff out if oil.
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2011 | 01:48 PM
  #10  
Iceman24's Avatar
Iceman24
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Air Force
15 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,450
From: Eastern NE
Default

09 FLHX running M1 20w/50 synth, TFI, TD's & stage-1 and oil temp range is 210 - 240 (depending on ambient temp)...FYI.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:06 AM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-6
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-7
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE