Useless air temp gauge
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
Lots of posters here in the past have stated they increased the accuracy of the gquge by moving the senser unit out from under the fairing and into the air flow. It's on my list of to-do's, but never got a round tuit yet.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 866
Likes: 1
From: FT BRAGG, NC
I dunno... One day last summer I was riding and thought "Holy crap is it HOT out here..." A glance at the thermometer did indeed confirm that thought. And just a few days ago (in the low 30's) I was freezing my knap sack off on a short ride. Once again, the thermometer came to my rescue as it most definitely read a much lower number.
In a car, you'd possibly have to open a window for such accuracy.
In a car, you'd possibly have to open a window for such accuracy.
Gee...can ya tell I just woke up and feel silly stupid this morning??
Ride Safe, Mike
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
I fixed mine!
The sensor is mounted high in the faring! That is a silly place for a temperature sensor! HEAT RISES! There is no where for the heat to go inside the faring since it is not vented.
I simply moved the sensor down lower in the faring near an opening where some airflow occurs. It is not easy since the leads to the sensor are rather short. A little rerouting and harness separation got the unit to the desired location.
Now, my thermometer is no further off than a few degrees and that is as close as the resolution of the dial.
The sensor is mounted high in the faring! That is a silly place for a temperature sensor! HEAT RISES! There is no where for the heat to go inside the faring since it is not vented.
I simply moved the sensor down lower in the faring near an opening where some airflow occurs. It is not easy since the leads to the sensor are rather short. A little rerouting and harness separation got the unit to the desired location.
Now, my thermometer is no further off than a few degrees and that is as close as the resolution of the dial.
Last edited by slime_dog; Mar 12, 2009 at 08:18 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
1. It is a precision instrument that accurately measures the air temp inside your fairing. If the sun is shining it will be 20° hotter than ambient. If cloudy it might be about equal. Thus, the ATG doubles as a sun gauge, so you have two gauges in one. I ask, why are we complaining?
2. By installing the ATG as standard equipment it makes some picky owners want something else. Enter the oil-temp gauge, for sale at your HD shop for only $140 that provides useful info about the operation of your engine. It is up to the owner to determine if this is more important than the air temp inside his/her fairing. Thus, they ultimately sell you two gauges, an ATG and an OTG. This is very savvy marketing strategy and we should all admire this.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 455
Likes: 1
From: Deep River ON
Living up in the Great White North and trying to maximise the riding season, I ride in the early spring and late fall. During this time I can start riding at +10 but by the end of the ride it can be -1 or lower. I want to know what the temp is doing more accurately than seat of the pants for at least a couple of reasons (Hypothermia, which as it occurs actually gives a false impression of temperature and ice formation). So I bought an "Icetracker" from Aerostitch and replaced the HD air temp with a HD Compass (Another totally useless piece of junk and waste of money). Re the sensor, on a 2003 FLHTCi I did consider trying to re-locate the sensor but was told that the wire was very short and that it was effectively impossible to relocate it and that it is a calibrated length so that splicing in is not an option. I must admit I did not check for myself, can anyone confirm and tell me what colour the wire to the sensor is.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 85
From: Nevada
Living up in the Great White North and trying to maximise the riding season, I ride in the early spring and late fall. During this time I can start riding at +10 but by the end of the ride it can be -1 or lower. I want to know what the temp is doing more accurately than seat of the pants for at least a couple of reasons (Hypothermia, which as it occurs actually gives a false impression of temperature and ice formation). So I bought an "Icetracker" from Aerostitch and replaced the HD air temp with a HD Compass (Another totally useless piece of junk and waste of money). Re the sensor, on a 2003 FLHTCi I did consider trying to re-locate the sensor but was told that the wire was very short and that it was effectively impossible to relocate it and that it is a calibrated length so that splicing in is not an option. I must admit I did not check for myself, can anyone confirm and tell me what colour the wire to the sensor is.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I don't care to have a temp gauge on my bike. I know when I am hot or cold without knowing what the actual temp is, but mine is as accurate as any temp gauge I have ever had in any vehicle.
I used to think it was always reading high, but then I noticed one day that it was the angle I was looking at it that made me think that. When I studied the marks on the gauge and looked straight on, it is accurate.
Dennis
I used to think it was always reading high, but then I noticed one day that it was the angle I was looking at it that made me think that. When I studied the marks on the gauge and looked straight on, it is accurate.
Dennis
