As I stated, that is average, not constantly. As others have already stated, this is normal. 230 has been the highest, so far. This was with the temp. around 86 degrees and alot of starting and stopping. Most of the time, it stays below 230.

 

yes that is what I'm saying. In this picture please note the following:
First line on the left is 140
each line is 10 degrees
First dot is 140
Sec dot is 200
3rd dot is 260
4th dot is 320
last line is 350
the numbers on the face 180 and 260 are lost
also the face of the guage matches the other silver guages on my SG but the outer chrome bezel is cheep and not even close to the OEM and lets water into the guage. IMO this looks like cheap aftermarket crap

 

I agree with this reply. OTOH I wouldn't want my oil getting even near 260°, synthetic or fossil, as oil oxidizes exponentially as temperature climbs above about 180°. With an oil cooler I stay at 200-210° in warm weather (85-95°) while moving, occasionally up to 230° in gridlock, and I'm happy with these numbers.

 

I've always looked at it this way, and this jibes with readings of the oil (during draining) and oil pan with an IR thermometer:

1st line on dial: 110° (as marked)
1st dot: 145°
1st bold line: 180° (as marked)
2nd dot: 205°
2nd bold line (straight up): 230° (as marked)

I've never gone beyond 230°, so I don't pay attention to the rest of the gauge.

 

I have the digital oil temp dipstick in my '08 SG w/ the 103" kit. Last weekend it showed my temp at 247 degrees after exiting the highway running about 75 mph in mid-70's air temps. Not sure how accurate this is though.

 

I've pegged mine at 350 or something. Was a great day.

I usually see around 230 on average without an oil cooler and 205-ish with. Of course throw all of that out if I'm in 1-2 mph stop and go traffic. Like I said, I've pegged it before.

lp

 

Highest I ever seen was last year in Az at 105* air temp on my 2010 FLHTK with the oil cooler, it was 289* in traffic. that is too high for my liking. I was told the same thing by HD and a few mechanics that 300* is not uncommon.
BS that is too HOT....

 

My 07 FLHX with a stage II 103...no oil cooler...runs 230 as long as i keep moving. never any cooler than that unless its cool outside. stop and go traffic takes me to 250. If the stop and go persists for a while I've gotten above 270, at which time the dakota digital gauges start flashing a high temp warning.
BTW, the dakotas came preset to warn at 230. HD tech said I'd be ok to 280 so I reset to 270 to be safe.

 

I realize this is an unpopular opinion, but it sure does seem that no one has "temperature issues" until they get an oil temperature gauge. Harley engines are air cooled by design, so the conventional wisdom regarding automobile operating temperatures is out the window. Harley offers a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty on every bike it sells, whether it's sold in Alaska or Arizona. There is no difference in hardware or software between those two bikes either.

Air cooled motors run hot because they're designed to. You can fret about oil temperatures, or you can religiously change your oil every 5,000 miles and send a sample off for analysis.

 

Not sure what you put in the search box, but you might try "oil temp" or "oil temperature"; days worth of reading. Whether or not there is a concern is your decision to make; oil does have operating temperature limits and these bikes make the oil very hot, it's up to you to do the research about oil, I recomend BITOG website, and make your own decision. Temperature concerns basically fall into two categories, concern for the oil breaking down and causing mechanical damage, or rider comfort, which one is the concern you are asking about here. "In the summer" where?; summer in Alaska or Guatemala? The actual ambient temperature is imprtant to know in your persuit. I would caution taking anyones advice without closely assessing their build and all operating perameters, any quoted temp that doesn't include all the operating parameters is pointless, because reasonable comparisons can not be made; a guy with a stage I, II, III, X or whatever, usually has a slightly rich tune, those conditions contribute to a motor that runs considerably cooler than stock, or if they ride in a relatively cool climate, those are the guys quick to spout off that you don't need an oil cooler or a gauge cause them Harleys are designed to run hot, and if you didn't have a gauge you wouldn't know it was hot, blah, blah, blah. Personally I didn't like the idea of needing $15-20 per quart synthetic oil to prevent mechanical damage, so I installed a gauge and started working to get my oil temp cool enough to be what I believe to be safe for conventional oil. Wait for it, here it comes "I can't believe you bought a $20k motorcycle and you wanna run cheap oil in it". Yep thats my thing, thats what I wanna do, nothing wrong with that though. No, your oil doesn't need to reach 212F to burn off moisture, that is a myth. I really don't care what anyone else says about oil and I'm not going to debate it here, I did my research and I have commited to 250F as my acceptable upper temp limit for conventional oil. If you plan on riding your stock 96"er more than 30 minutes at a time, in 85F ambient temp, your oil will get hotter than 250F. Good luck finding a simple straight forward answer to your question.