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

Normal operating temp (oil)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 29, 2013 | 12:22 PM
  #1  
exemexer's Avatar
exemexer
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
Default Normal operating temp (oil)

Just curiuous, checked my engine oil temp yesterday after a 35 minute ride on the highway at 70-75 mph. Took a while but it topped out at about 198-199 degrees - not quite 200. Used a meat thermometer in the reservior.
Would this be an accurate representation of engine operating temp AND what is normal operating temp on these things anyway?
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2013 | 12:37 PM
  #2  
turnerbend's Avatar
turnerbend
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 551
Likes: 17
From: japan
Default

Oil and engine temp is greatly influenced by ambient temp and humidity. A cloudy day will also keep the temp down. On most summer days, my Ultra average around 220- 240 degs. Sound about right to me.
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2013 | 01:03 PM
  #3  
Scuba10jdl's Avatar
Scuba10jdl
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
Default

Normal for a Sportster measured in the bag is 180-220F, with 240F being an upper limit before you should worry.

TCs run hotter and normal is 230 or more, so it's not a fair comparison. As was said though, ambient temp makes a huge difference.
 

Last edited by Scuba10jdl; Apr 29, 2013 at 01:05 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2013 | 02:18 PM
  #4  
John Harper's Avatar
John Harper
HDF Community Team
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,512
Likes: 3,924
From: San Diego, CA
Community Team
Default

Sounds about right for living in Dallas in the spring.

John
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2013 | 02:53 PM
  #5  
Sierra141's Avatar
Sierra141
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: El paso, texas
Default

Yes thats normal temp, I have a 2011 48 with a thermometer oil dip stick and it does 200 degrees on the freeway 65MPH to 75MPH and 150ish around town..
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2013 | 03:02 PM
  #6  
Roni's Avatar
Roni
Ultimate HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 8,218
Likes: 827
From: Reston, Va
Default

Ditto. Even during the heat of a No Va summer, the dipstick thermometer on my '07 Custom usually tops out at 200F. During the winter, temps are usually 30-40F cooler.
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2013 | 03:56 PM
  #7  
iwantmybeerbackplease's Avatar
iwantmybeerbackplease
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis, MO
Default

Originally Posted by Sierra141
Yes thats normal temp, I have a 2011 48 with a thermometer oil dip stick and it does 200 degrees on the freeway 65MPH to 75MPH and 150ish around town..
Same temps for me on typical summer day, 85 to 90 degrees. Have an '08 883 with 1212 conversion.

-Beer
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2013 | 05:27 PM
  #8  
1200Cdriver's Avatar
1200Cdriver
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
Default

When I first got my thermometer dipstick the temp would often be around 210 to 220. After I installed the PCIII it hangs just under 200 and rarely gets to 205. I don't think I'd want it any cooler than that. When cruising on 95 for an hour or so it sits right on 200 when the outside temp is above 90.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 29, 2013 | 07:55 PM
  #9  
Jlovesseconds's Avatar
Jlovesseconds
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Durham nc.
Default

I just got a thermo dipstick dropped off by the ups about a hr ago will put it in Tuesday my 1st upgrade on my 883 iron and only 72.00' shsss a bit pricey IMO also ordered side shots,for my 2nd upgrade
 
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2013 | 08:34 AM
  #10  
littledragon's Avatar
littledragon
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
Default

Sounds about right on the temps your running. I am going to order a thermometer for my 09 Sporty but can't make up my mind if I want the anolog or digital. I am leaning towards the analog right now. They are pricey but what isn't on a Harley.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:50 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE