Hotter than Hell
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 415
Likes: 177
From: Michigan
New headers ant tuner will be a huge help. You can re-core your current slip-on or buy new. I'm very happy with mu complete Fullsac system DX Pipe, 4.0 Slash slip-ons and TTS Tune. If you still have your OEM muffler/slip-ons, you can re-core them. Fullsac has cores for that. I removed my previously installed Rinehart True Duals, 4" slip-ons and Power Commander 5. Runs better and significantly cooler.
Jason
Jason
I removed the catalytic converter on my 2016 RGU, as previously mentioned in other threads. Other than that, it is completely stock. The bike is absolutely running much better & much cooler. However, after taking it on a 1,000 mile round trip, I can tell you, without any reservation, this bike is still uncomfortably hotter than hell when sitting or moving slowly in traffic.
My former 2011 Ultra Limited had stage 2 and was never uncomfortably hot in any situation that I can recall. I still stand by my opinion that stage 2 is unnecessary, but I was under the impression that all the heat was generated in the catalytic converter. Apparently this isn't the case.
It is time for my first oil change and have read that synthetic oil (which I used in the Limited, religiously) will help the engine run cooler, though I seriously doubt it will drop temps enough to notice a significant difference on the skin.
So, is the cure going to be slip-ons or Full exhaust, or something else? I'm trying real hard to keep it simple and cheap.. as far as performance goes, I'm very happy with the stock setup and am really enjoying the peace & quiet. I just gotta get rid of all this heat.
My former 2011 Ultra Limited had stage 2 and was never uncomfortably hot in any situation that I can recall. I still stand by my opinion that stage 2 is unnecessary, but I was under the impression that all the heat was generated in the catalytic converter. Apparently this isn't the case.
It is time for my first oil change and have read that synthetic oil (which I used in the Limited, religiously) will help the engine run cooler, though I seriously doubt it will drop temps enough to notice a significant difference on the skin.
So, is the cure going to be slip-ons or Full exhaust, or something else? I'm trying real hard to keep it simple and cheap.. as far as performance goes, I'm very happy with the stock setup and am really enjoying the peace & quiet. I just gotta get rid of all this heat.
The oil and the headers do Not make enough difference that you will feel it.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 105
Likes: 20
From: TX
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
I'm just guessing by your original post but if you were on a 1,000 mile trip and talk about sitting still or traffic, was that after a prolonged trip down the highway? If that's the case, all the money in the world you can throw at your bike isn't going to make a drastic change.
My bike has oil cooler, gutted cat, high flow intake and exhaust and a custom tune. If I run down the freeway and take and exit and have to sit through the light more than once or twice, it gets hot real fast. Especially in stop and go traffic. Your engine was at a good load and getting a 70 mph breeze. You take that breeze away, the engine is still at a full heat soak. Nothing is going to cool it off until you get moving again. Heat rises so guess where it goes?
A tune will definitely help but it's an air cooled engine and it's going to get hot. Especially sitting still after riding. Especially on a hot sunny day which is adding to the perceived motor temperature. Your body just lost the 70 mph breeze too.
One thing to remember, your bike was designed to take it. Much better than you will. You're not going to hurt it.
Good luck.
My bike has oil cooler, gutted cat, high flow intake and exhaust and a custom tune. If I run down the freeway and take and exit and have to sit through the light more than once or twice, it gets hot real fast. Especially in stop and go traffic. Your engine was at a good load and getting a 70 mph breeze. You take that breeze away, the engine is still at a full heat soak. Nothing is going to cool it off until you get moving again. Heat rises so guess where it goes?
A tune will definitely help but it's an air cooled engine and it's going to get hot. Especially sitting still after riding. Especially on a hot sunny day which is adding to the perceived motor temperature. Your body just lost the 70 mph breeze too.
One thing to remember, your bike was designed to take it. Much better than you will. You're not going to hurt it.
Good luck.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 830
Likes: 121
From: Hill Country, Tx
Scotty, the cheapest thing you can do to your RGU to lower temps here in Texas is to remove your lower fairings. Pretty simple to do and only takes about 10 minutes for both. I removed them on my 15 Ultra a couple of weeks ago and it really makes a difference. When the weather turns cooler this fall/ winter I will put them back on. Until then I am enjoying the cooler ride, both in stop and go and on the road.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 494
Likes: 60
From: Colorado Rockies
Learning from our friends in aviation, the only real way to cool an air cooled engine is more fuel. I swapped cams and tuned my '08 Roadie. Runs like it should now.
Edit: I see it is twin cooled. I still think they are too leaned out from the factory for emissions. Add fuel,
Edit: I see it is twin cooled. I still think they are too leaned out from the factory for emissions. Add fuel,
Last edited by ev780; Mar 27, 2017 at 08:31 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
Scotty, the cheapest thing you can do to your RGU to lower temps here in Texas is to remove your lower fairings. Pretty simple to do and only takes about 10 minutes for both. I removed them on my 15 Ultra a couple of weeks ago and it really makes a difference. When the weather turns cooler this fall/ winter I will put them back on. Until then I am enjoying the cooler ride, both in stop and go and on the road.
now, as a compromise, I remove the doors in the warmer months, which allows for more airflow over my legs, which helps some with the felt heat, but still funnels some air to the engine.