Touring models and traffic
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 140
From: NY
So I've really been contemplating using the bike to commute back and forth to the office, however having an air cooled engine sitting in grid lock traffic does have me concerned.
So I figured I'd ask the masses here... am I overthinking, and the bike would be perfectly fine sitting in gridlock, or should I look for a cooled commuter as a secondary option?
01 Road King, mostly stock as far as engine is concerned.
Sure the new models are oil cooled, however I'm not really interested in getting rid of this one just yet to get a newer model.
So I figured I'd ask the masses here... am I overthinking, and the bike would be perfectly fine sitting in gridlock, or should I look for a cooled commuter as a secondary option?
01 Road King, mostly stock as far as engine is concerned.
Sure the new models are oil cooled, however I'm not really interested in getting rid of this one just yet to get a newer model.
All you need to do is add an ultracool oil cooler with twin elec cooling fans along with Wards (now love jugs mitymite) cooling fans and your HD motor will not run too hot in traffic in hot summer cond.
I did that on my 09 flhtcu with stock 96" motor and both those cooling mods lowered engine oil temp up to 50deg f in summer heat which made the bike/motor perform much better in all areas.
Scott
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
I'll suggest you're overthinking, or really over worrying, about this. The bike was designed to be able to do this and should do just fine in it. Supposedly, Harley did set bikes up in the blazing heat and just idle them for long periods of time during development (story I've heard, no proof).
If the traffic is really sitting, shut the engine down and just sit. Easy enough to restart when it starts moving again.
If the traffic is really sitting, shut the engine down and just sit. Easy enough to restart when it starts moving again.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 154
From: Lake City, Florida
On my 2010 Ultra Limited with hard lowers and fork mounted air deflectors that deflect the air up and out away from the motor I needed to solve the heat issue. I found that the Love Jug cooling fans that are prewired to plug into your existing wiring harness to work off your aux switch really do keep your motor 100 degrees cooler as advertised.
My bike can from the factory with an oil cooler, the first month I owned my bike I installed a tuner, cut my catalytic converter out of the exhaust pipe, wrapped my exhaust pipes with header wrap under the chrome heat shields, and a Screamin Eagle air cleaner. The heat issue was finally solved when I installed the Love Jug cooling fans.
My bike can from the factory with an oil cooler, the first month I owned my bike I installed a tuner, cut my catalytic converter out of the exhaust pipe, wrapped my exhaust pipes with header wrap under the chrome heat shields, and a Screamin Eagle air cleaner. The heat issue was finally solved when I installed the Love Jug cooling fans.
I am sure that most of that is lawyer CYA. With that said, I did my own "test" on the Wards fans. I am not a scientist, but did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once....
Can't find my old post but the fans do work. When running the fans, I have never gone into EITM mode.
Can't find my old post but the fans do work. When running the fans, I have never gone into EITM mode.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,849
Likes: 29,822
From: PNW
I used the Wards fans when I was riding down to Chicago more often. They prevented the bike form going into whatever mode they go into when too hot (not EITMS - this was an 11). But as has been mentioned, that heat goes somewhere - to your right leg. One of those will protect your bike if you are determined to ride.
To me it depends on what your traffic is like. In Chicago it can be an hour of nothing over 10MPH. Anything over 30 minutes of heavy traffic I just take the car. Too much hassle on the bike.
To me it depends on what your traffic is like. In Chicago it can be an hour of nothing over 10MPH. Anything over 30 minutes of heavy traffic I just take the car. Too much hassle on the bike.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,251
Likes: 3,990
From: Windwardside, Saba N.A.
Got a JAGG fan-assisted 10-row oil cooler and SE +1.5 quart oil pan on the SGS 120R. It runs 237degF oil bag temp in summer and never over 247degF.
I'm happy with those numbers.
ETA: I have reservations about spot-cooling a heat radiating surface.
I'm happy with those numbers.
ETA: I have reservations about spot-cooling a heat radiating surface.
Last edited by Sierra977; Oct 27, 2017 at 12:03 PM.
So I've really been contemplating using the bike to commute back and forth to the office, however having an air cooled engine sitting in grid lock traffic does have me concerned.
So I figured I'd ask the masses here... am I overthinking, and the bike would be perfectly fine sitting in gridlock, or should I look for a cooled commuter as a secondary option?
01 Road King, mostly stock as far as engine is concerned.
Sure the new models are oil cooled, however I'm not really interested in getting rid of this one just yet to get a newer model.
So I figured I'd ask the masses here... am I overthinking, and the bike would be perfectly fine sitting in gridlock, or should I look for a cooled commuter as a secondary option?
01 Road King, mostly stock as far as engine is concerned.
Sure the new models are oil cooled, however I'm not really interested in getting rid of this one just yet to get a newer model.
However, there is no "silver bullet" or one particular item that will do the job adequately.
The most optimal way to achieve lower engine temps overall is to use multiple cooling components that compliment each other.
Here is a LINK to a report we did on why and how to cool your Twin Cam engine with lots of useful information.
There are several inexpensive(under $100) ways to cool your engine.
Just doing something like a Tank Lift will allow more air flow to your engine by getting the tank up off the engine.
Not only will you benefit from a 10-15* drop in engine temperature, more of your chrome will be visible, it will be easier to clean, and many experience less buffeting.
Also, there's the Cooling Deflector Wings that will compound the effects of the tank lift exponentially. These take air that previously went around the tank and over the tank and redirects that air to shoot directly onto the engine. These can be used with or without a tank lift. They provide an additional 8-10* drop in engine temperature.
Beyond harnessing air flow, you can address the oil temps. We offer an Oil Filter Relocation Kit that works exceptionally well when paired with an Oil Cooler.
Not only will this put the oil filter out in the wind, it will let more air hit the engine, and it will make for mess-free oil changes.
This will result in an 8-10* drop in oil (and engine) temperature. When paired with an oil cooler, the drop will be closer to 25-30*.
These are only some of the ways to cool your engine. The report link above will explain in greater detail how these numbers can really add up.
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Cristy
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Cristy
FREE SHIPPING - ORDERS OF $100 OR MORE - LOWER 48 STATES
www.DKCustom.com
Call: 662-252-8828
Text: 662-420-4891
Email: Support@DKCustomProducts.com
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Burstbucker
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Jul 28, 2009 01:52 AM