Heat Issues
Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
From: Flint, MI
it's definitely supposed to get hot in stop and go traffic... there is a raging inferno going on inside those cylinders, and the engine is air cooled. This is unavoidable, you can reduce it by getting some crotch coolers from capn-itch
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
I live in Tampa too , I have a Road Glide Custom with the 103 motor , my engine put off a ton of heat and when I put on vented lowers it became unbearable , what I did was removed the doors on my lower vents , ceramic coated my exhaust , changed the HD oil cooler out for a Jagg (this dropped my temp a lot) I already had mid frame deflectors , I have cams , air cleaner , pipes and a TTS Master tuner , after I added the Jagg it is not bad at all now
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
When you're in stop-and-go traffic, you could put your SG in "limp mode" by rolling the throttle forward and holding for a few seconds. It shuts off the rear cylinder!
Anyway, when you're rolling, the heat issue goes away. You need to find some less traveled routes for riding!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Its normal for us in Oklahoma and Texas to ride in temps well above 100. But one thing worse than sitting in traffic in 105 degree heat is sitting in traffic on a 105 degree day after a rain shower just passed through. Steam sauna just doesn't describe it well enough.
We sit and discuss (whine) about riding in the heat, but at a road stop on I-35 the other day, a guy walked up to me and told me his car's temperature gauge read 108. Then he said, "what in the world are you doing on a motorcycle?". My Gold Wing buddy was just as hot as I was and we started to wonder if maybe we were crazy. But it cooled down to 102 degree 8:00 that night and the ride was quite nice.
New motto: Life is not about the destination, life is about the journey. UNLESS its above 105 degrees outside, then life is all about the destination.
Beary
We sit and discuss (whine) about riding in the heat, but at a road stop on I-35 the other day, a guy walked up to me and told me his car's temperature gauge read 108. Then he said, "what in the world are you doing on a motorcycle?". My Gold Wing buddy was just as hot as I was and we started to wonder if maybe we were crazy. But it cooled down to 102 degree 8:00 that night and the ride was quite nice.
New motto: Life is not about the destination, life is about the journey. UNLESS its above 105 degrees outside, then life is all about the destination.
Beary
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
The more I read about the heat issues on touring Bikes the more I am convinced that not all of theses bike’s are running the same temperatures. My 2008 SG got so hot it boiled the gas and lost so much power I would have to nail it just to leave from a stop. I had to stop and let it cool down for hours on numerous occasions. I had a Programmable EMC True duels and a heavy breather and the only way to cool it down at all was to run it so rich it would foul plugs and get about 20 miles to the gallon. If someone tells you that is normal for a air cooled motor they have no idea what they are talking about. I have 3 air cooled bikes in my garage now and none have this problem. I have had at lest 10 other air cooled bikes including 2 Harleys that did not have this problem.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
Apart from some obvious variables, such as tolerance to heat, climate and riding style, I would be very curious to know this: of the folks experiencing excessive heat issues, how many are stock bikes and how many are stage I bikes, and what model year are those bikes?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
After you installed the PCV did you have a noticable temperature drop? If not I would at least try a few more maps or the best thing would be to have a highly recommended dyno tuner set it up for you. (I would wait until fall comes with the cooler temps before dyno tuning)
I also have a 11 dyna and it was unbelievably hot until I got the XEID's which seemed to drop the temp 25-30 degrees. (by adding more fuel) If your tuner is programmed properly it should be a better set up then what I have.
I have been riding in 105 degree weather and there is no doubt the bike gets hot, but at least I cooled it down enough so I'm not worried about frying the motor.
You could invest in an oil cooler but to me they are overpriced. If you are sitting in traffic without moving for long periods I would shut it off and restart.
I also have a 11 dyna and it was unbelievably hot until I got the XEID's which seemed to drop the temp 25-30 degrees. (by adding more fuel) If your tuner is programmed properly it should be a better set up then what I have.
I have been riding in 105 degree weather and there is no doubt the bike gets hot, but at least I cooled it down enough so I'm not worried about frying the motor.
You could invest in an oil cooler but to me they are overpriced. If you are sitting in traffic without moving for long periods I would shut it off and restart.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
I hate law suites and I detest all Personal injury lawyers but the courts ruled on 08/09 that there is a heat issue with Harleys and approved a class action law suit. I would never join it and would have no respect for anyone that does. It does tell you there is a problem thought.