Hot! Hot! Hot!
We started on Friday July 16 and returned home Thursday July 22nd. The entire trip was in a tropical heat wave of 100 to 105 degrees with an index of 118.
We ran into a one mile long stop and go back up in Kentucky due to an auto accident. I was on a 2010 Ultra that was stock so it was running 14.7 to one air/fuel ratio and had the cat in the head pipe.
I was never so surprised that the engine never overheated and went into the limp mode. My legs and feet never got hot at all. No pinging and I was running 89 octane the entire ride.
We got to the Dragon and 129 was just re-opened so we went right through. I did the best I could on a HD bagger. Only two sport bikes passed me in the 18 miles.
Then we went to the Skyway which was an even better ride as it went up to over 5,200 ft elevation and had great scenic overlooks.
We dropped down through S.C. to Georgia above Atlanta. The next day we managed to get will into Florida. From there we got to Key West.
The rest of the trip was through the panhandle to Alabama,Mississippi, Louisiana and up through Arkansas,Missouri and back to Illinois.
The temps stayed into the hundreds all the way. The trip was about 4,000 mile for about 500 miles per day.
We stopped every two hours and tried to drink all the Gatorade that the quick marts had in the coolers.
At 70 years of age, the ride took me to the limits of endurance but after each stop I motored on.
The main thing I learned about the HD touring bike is that the posts on this forum about the motors over heating and excessive heat on the feet and legs is total B.S. The muffler turning blue is B.S. also.
In stop and go traffic, I would twist the throttle forward to shut off the rear cylinder and every time the light showed green that it was not above temp to require the rear cylinder shut off.
So, to all the crying pussies I call B.S.
Thanks for the education. (Not.)
I've never had the heat management kick-in and never felt "roasted" by the bike like many here have and never had pinging. Not sure if it's just individual perception on this matter or if there's something unique about my bike. Yes i've been hotter than hell in 110+ conditions but the bike did just fine and didn't feel any hotter than a machine should feel in such conditions...
Just my own experience here, but no problems with excessive heat.
Last edited by Arizona; Jul 24, 2010 at 07:50 PM.
Thanks for the education. (Not.)
Last edited by drukanfu; Jul 24, 2010 at 11:37 PM.
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
I'm trying to remember , when did ( looking for the correct word here ) Bikers thats it ! Start trailering ? early 90's I'm thinking ? Time changes everything , guess thats way it's gonna be
See you on the road , Ernest T






