oil temp dipstick...
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Central Ohio
Here is a different experience with the digital dipstick. I've had mine on this bike almost since I got it (early October 2008), it hasn't given me any problems at all. It has been wet, both from riding in rain and just getting rained on. Since it was added in the first 60 days (in the first 7 days) and therefore covered under the two year warranty, maybe I was given a special one that keeps working...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 2
From: Hallsville, Tx.
Here is an the address for an analog type temp. gauge listed on EBay. I think the guy makes them or has them made up for your specific bike. It indicates the temp all the time and you still check the oil the old fashioned way. I got sucked into buying the HD version which I think actually indicated the oil level in the engine once.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ht_2899wt_1167
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ht_2899wt_1167
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
so true
Don't buy one. I have found that it's better to not know your oil temp. That way you won't obsess and constantly worry over something you can't do anything about anyway.
I had one on my old bike and looked at it every time I pulled up at a stop. I didn't get one on this bike on purpose. You can't worry about something you don't know. Contrary to popular belief, under normal riding conditions, I don't think you can get it hot enough to do any damage.
They test them in the desert heat. They ride the crap out of them, park them in cinder block rooms so they get no wind and let them idle for hours, then ride them some more. They can take it.
Put some good synthetic oil in it and ride happily not knowing how hot it really is. Save the money for some thing more important.....like beer.
I had one on my old bike and looked at it every time I pulled up at a stop. I didn't get one on this bike on purpose. You can't worry about something you don't know. Contrary to popular belief, under normal riding conditions, I don't think you can get it hot enough to do any damage.
They test them in the desert heat. They ride the crap out of them, park them in cinder block rooms so they get no wind and let them idle for hours, then ride them some more. They can take it.
Put some good synthetic oil in it and ride happily not knowing how hot it really is. Save the money for some thing more important.....like beer.
It was after I got this that I then bought a $450.00 oil cooler with a fan! LOL
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
I must be the only one who bought the digital dipstick for the oil level indicator.
If all you want is a temp reading, use the money you were going to spend on this as a partial payment for an oil cooler.
If all you want is a temp reading, use the money you were going to spend on this as a partial payment for an oil cooler.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: The Show Me State
I too was about to buy one of these HD (hundred dollar)
dip sticks. Yes many thanks guys.
dip sticks. Yes many thanks guys.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
Actually I bought it for the oil level so I didnthave to remove the dip stick....
Then I became infactuated with high temps....270-280 I think was my highest so far after running highway and coming to a stop and hitting the button right away..
Then I became infactuated with high temps....270-280 I think was my highest so far after running highway and coming to a stop and hitting the button right away..
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
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
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 85
From: Nevada
It'a not that great at reading the oil level either.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I had this problem with my old RK and just lived with the LCD gauge until it finally died in about three years. By that time I knew the Evo engnie almost ever exceeded 180°, with a peak of 200° on very rare occasions, so I never worried about oil temps on that bike. When the gauge died I didn't replace it. OTOH TC engines run much hotter thanks in part to the piston-oil-spray function, and although it cools the engine hardware it transfers the heat to the oil. That may be good overall, but oil can get very hot in TC engines, which is why I believe an oil cooler is essential. Even with a cooler I still monitor oil temps with a fairing-mounted gauge, but the OP and other RK owners don't have the luxury of addiing one of those. I've never seen an analog gauge that fits in place of the stock dipstick.
I don't know why you couldn't buy a fairing-mounted gauge and fit it to your handlebars with a chrome gauge mount. I haven't seen this done but I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't work, although you'd have to find a housing that would fit it and keep the water out.
Last edited by iclick; Jul 19, 2010 at 11:17 AM.