Lower Fairing on or off ??
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Eastern OR
Lower Fairing on or off ??
Hi folks. Got an 04 Eglide couple years ago and took off the lower fairings as soon as summer hit. My thought then was engine would run cooler because lowers were blocking the wind over the engine... Heres my question... Do the lowers actually direct air "across" the engine to help with cooling?? I dont mind less air flow on myself in the summer if it will actually help prevent heat build up in the engine. Currently the lowers are still off. Thanks for any advice.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
I have a temperature dipstick for the engine, my '03 RK actually showed a few degrees cooler with them on; I do have the fork side deflectors and the triple tree baffle with a DCC Fairing. I have not had so much as any grief leaving them on, mine are the vented style.
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 1,964
From: New England
I can actually feel more air with the lowers on. Seems they are more effective at directing the air across and along the engine instead of allowing it to swirl out to the side.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Eastern OR
I originally thought the purpose of the lowers was to block the wind for the rider. But then I heard somewhere that the vents actually help to funnel the wind over the engine, which makes sense to me. So before I put em back on I thought I'd ask the experts. I appreciate the imput!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 85
From: Nevada
I did a test shortly after I bought my 07 Ultra over 4 years ago. Bottom line is that the lowers stay on. More air to my legs but no real difference in engine oil temps.
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo NY
Mine always stay on. I think they keep a lot of stuff from hitting the legs as well. I think they look good to. If I had non vented I would probably take em off.
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
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 3
From: Open Road, USA
I have rode mine in the summer with them on and off. I can't really tell that big a difference in engine cooling. But I know with them off(mine are vented)Momma is a lot happier in the summer time. Mine are on now, but will be coming off as soon as the rainy season is over..
Joe
Joe
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 388
Likes: 3
I have the newer vented model on my 04 flhtc,I have the Hd fairing mounted gauge.With lowers on in 90 degree weather my oil temps are 20-30 degrees HOTTER with Hd premium oil cooler also.I am trusting my gauge not how it FEELS. Also I have had the temp gauges that are also the dipstick,I find them to be inaccurate.If you check temp with bike off temp will drop 10-20 degrees asap.