Just installed xIEDs and an oil temp gauge. Oil temp is running around 240 while the outside temp is around 70..dont know it that is good or bad. anyway, my question, I have heard heat is not so much the culprit as something called "detonation" that I should be able to hear.Well I have heard my bike "pop" occasionally but nothing that ever concerned me. anyway, I pulled my plugs today and checked them..the rear one was dry and slightly white, but pretty smooth. the front one had a little moisture (gas, oil???) on it and was white as well although the front had a thicker coating of the white then the rear did. Anything on the plugs indicate detonation.??

 

White plugs mean you're running lean. Detonation isn't popping, its more of a sound like somthing rattling around in the motor. The popping is probably lean pop then you roll off the throttle. 230-240 degree oil is about where the new bikes run.

 

Detonation will destroy your engine. Yes, you can hear it under certain conditions. Going up hill running below 3500 rpm you will hear what sounds like gravel rattling around in a coffee can. Not good. Your bike is running way too lean. It starts from the factory lean to meet EPA regulations. Set at about 14.5:1 air to fuel ratio, the poor engines run way too lean. Add anything such as pipes and a high flow air cleaner and the situation gets worse. Air cooled engines prefer a ratio around 13.5:1. Bike will run better and much cooler. Hope this helps...