Electra Glide 2008 - EITMS - Anybody Know?

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Jul 5, 2025 | 07:18 AM

#11

Weeboy1

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2015

Posts: 2,951

Likes: 1,001

From: Winnipeg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertbc3141

But with the chance of a hesitation stop and dumping your bike when you try to get going over and over again. I think I'd rather it overheat and shut off.
Has anyone actually used this?

You guys are overthinking this. If it’s functioning correctly it does what it’s intended. The report of hesitation is so slight as to be almost unnoticeable. Tons of info online about how it functions. Many riders to get it out of “parade mode” will just blip the throttle before they take off to return to normal operation. The eitms will not activate unless certain conditions are met ie. temp, speed, rpm etc. If the op’s bike is not able to enable it I’d suggest getting it looked at. Unless you never want to use. In which case leave it as is. It is after all more intended for cooling your nuts than dissipating heat from the bike.

Jul 5, 2025 | 07:24 AM

#12

NorthWestern

Club Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 11,586

Likes: 8,411

From: Inland NW

EITMS is for rider comfort, no matter what Google AI tells you.

Jul 5, 2025 | 07:28 AM

#13

HD_noobie

Road Master

Joined: Nov 2019

Posts: 934

Likes: 677

From: Ohio

It won't help enough in a parade.
If you do those I would invest in those jug cooling fans.

Jul 5, 2025 | 07:45 AM

#14

MotoJockey

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2017

Posts: 4,683

Likes: 3,976

From: Near Yosemite

This is what bugs me about the EITMS.......
At what point is good for, or even ok for, any engine to only run on 1/2 it's cylinders? Sitting at a red light with it turned on ONCE was enough to show me that my bike doesn't like to run well, or smoothly, under that condition. The lopsided load makes it feel and sound like crap! Turned it off, never to be turned back on again..........

Also helpful info-

And more-

Jul 5, 2025 | 08:04 AM

#15

rigidthumper

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 3,740

Likes: 8,536

From: Bates County MO

Throttle is simply a switch for EITMS activation on TBW bikes. Turn off the cruise switch, so there's no confusion, as it uses that lamp as an indicator. Roll throttle forward and hold for a few seconds- if the cruise indicator turns green, the EITMS is activated, if the indicator turns orange, EITMS is disabled. The lamp will extinguish once the grip is released (as long as you remember to turn the cruise function off). If you want to change it's condition, simply release the grip, and roll forward & hold again. When enabled, the EITMS system is under ECM control ( will remove fuel to the rear cylinder under certain conditions). Once you have it where you wish, it will stay there until reset by the operator. Turn the cruise back on if you wish to have that function as well.

Jul 5, 2025 | 08:42 AM

#16

BigD48

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 297

Likes: 150

From: Florida Space Coast

These guys do a pretty good job of explaining the EITMS.

Jul 5, 2025 | 08:55 AM

#17

benscratchin

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2015

Posts: 8,469

Likes: 19,162

From: The Republic of Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalterMarin999

Harley - 2008 Electra Glide. Following the prescribed procedure... I can Turn EITMS - On and Off...sort of... So, when Turning ON, of course, the Cruise Control light turns Green... but when I release the Throttle from the Negative position... the light returns to Red. Essentially, I can't get the "On" to hold. Maybe the bike needs to be at a certain temp. before it will activate EITMS?

Following the prescribed procedure?
Are you following the procedure per the Owner's Manual for your Year and Make motorcycle?

I'm not sure about 2008 models but, the procedure works, and my EITMS works, on my 2012 FLHX exactly how my Owners Manual says it should.
.

Jul 6, 2025 | 05:40 PM

#18

hattitude

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 14,158

Likes: 11,248

From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalterMarin999

Harley - 2008 Electra Glide. Following the prescribed procedure... I can Turn EITMS - On and Off...sort of... So, when Turning ON, of course, the Cruise Control light turns Green... but when I release the Throttle from the Negative position... the light returns to Red. Essentially, I can't get the "On" to hold. Maybe the bike needs to be at a certain temp. before it will activate EITMS?

I found this several years ago and saved it:

"Harley-Davidson is offering a free, dealer- installed software upgrade called the Engine Idle Temperature Management System (EITMS) for all 2007 and 2008 Touring models. On 2008 model Touring models produced after December 3, 2007, the EITMS is already installed and ready for you to activate using a simple throttle activated switch. When you are stopped and at idle, simply push the throttle forward (closed) to roll off position and hold. After approximately 3 seconds, the cruise control indicator will flash either red (disabled) or green (enabled). Repeat the procedure to toggle between the two.

During hot idle, or when the motorcycle is off-throttle and running at hot temperatures, EITMS shuts off fuel to the engine’s rear cylinder, leaving it to idle on the front cylinder only. Without combustion, the rear cylinder and exhaust header will begin to cool, bringing relief to the rider (and passenger) soon after. Once the rear cylinder cools to a predetermined temperature, or as soon as the rider accelerates, both cylinders resume operation. And by maintaining constant rpm during rear cylinder “shutdown,”transitions between one and two cylinder operation are nearly seamless.

EITMS is purely for rider comfort. When it activates and“shuts off”the rear cylinder, it’s not because the motor is overheating. It’s designed to reduce the heat radiating from the rear cylinder to the rider.

Once an appointment is made, the EITMS software reflash can be performed for free by any H-D dealer, usually while you wait. If, for any reason, the rider does not like the EITMS, it can be returned to the previous mapping for free.

For information on installation of EITMS, see your H-D dealer."

If your 2008 has a manufacture date after Dec 3, 2007, you already have EITMS installed. It should activate and deactivate as described above.

If your 2008 has a manufacture date before Dec 3, 2007, then you may need to have a dealer flash the ECM to activate the EITMS before it will work as indicated above (if not already done).

I hope this info helps...

Last edited by hattitude; Jul 6, 2025 at 05:42 PM.