Setting idle
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 8
From: Detroit, the asshole of America
You will run into charging problems and/or potential oil delivery issues at hot weather with thin oil if you set it too low. There are going to be a ton of people that say you can set it at 800 rpm and you're fine, though. I personally set mine to 920 and don't feel comfortable going any lower, I also don't ride in 110* weather or have lots of accessory loads.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
you might get some snatching a grabbing at low speeds unless you throttle up.
I'd be more concerned with low oil pressure and volume- which is why the idle is set high from stock.
Oil is part of the cooling system so a higher idling motor will be cooler
and a higher idle also has lower tailpipe emissions
the new bikes are much more complex machines than the old ones-- ok so maybe it doesn't have the "harley" sound, but my 74" Panhead is only 38 horsepower and has a manually advanced ignition ( rotate the left grip)-- My 09 idles at about 1300 rpm
mike
I'd be more concerned with low oil pressure and volume- which is why the idle is set high from stock.
Oil is part of the cooling system so a higher idling motor will be cooler
and a higher idle also has lower tailpipe emissions
the new bikes are much more complex machines than the old ones-- ok so maybe it doesn't have the "harley" sound, but my 74" Panhead is only 38 horsepower and has a manually advanced ignition ( rotate the left grip)-- My 09 idles at about 1300 rpm
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Dec 1, 2011 at 12:49 PM.
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