Oil Temps
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 525
Likes: 2
From: Ottawa, Canada, summer, Daytona Beach Florida, winter
I have a 2009 Streetglide, with an oil cooler and a digital temperature oil dip stick. The bikes oil in the sump runs around 217f most of the time, seems to be just fine.
Head temperatures with a lazer heat thermometer, 175 to 180 on the front cylinder and around 200 on the back cylinder.
These temperatures are taken just after a moving run, I am sure they get much hotter in stop and go conditions.
Head temperatures with a lazer heat thermometer, 175 to 180 on the front cylinder and around 200 on the back cylinder.
These temperatures are taken just after a moving run, I am sure they get much hotter in stop and go conditions.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 490
Likes: 1
From: Omaha, NE
I also agree you don't need a oil cooler. If your not constantly into the throttle your engine will not blow or prematurely wear. However, if your constantly into the throttle or run with RPM's on the top half of the band then a oil cooler would be recommended. You will need to be out on the hwy at hwy speeds for the cooling effect to begin and cool the oil, in-town riding the cooler is about ineffective due to lack of cooling air.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
Talking to a guy yesterday about my 97" build i'm having done and he asked how hot my oil ran. Told him, 2-up loaded, highway speeds, temp ran around 210 to 230 depending on traffic. Told me i had better get an oil cooler or my build would not last. I thought as long as temps didn't run over 260 i'd be okay. Been using Amsoil 20-50 in cooler weather and Amsoil 60 weight in summer. Said i needed to keep temps around 180 to 200. Anyone have any problems with the Nikasil lined jugs and oil temps causing problems?
I just re read your first post..... might I suggest, if you aren't already locked in to the 97 inch build...... a 95 inch build on an 88 properly done is really reliable, and really REALLY gutsy. I had a 95 build on my 05 Road Glide, and it was for lack of a better phrase.... SCARY FAST
That thing would straighten your arms fast. I put 60,000 miles on it, and only had to do the normal fluid changes and such.
With a SE intake and SE active performance exhaust it sounded like a Ferrari when accelerating.
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
My bike has never exceeded 230 and generally runs in the 220 neighborhood at most all temperatures . I do not run an oil cooler. Its a stock 96" with a simple stage one. Stock cams. Vermont rarely climbs much above the 85F mark even in August. Average high temp is 80F and normal is mid 70F in the dead of summer. I don't consider that to be a problem and the bike runs perfectly fine.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 9
From: Southern Illinois
It was Bob Woods who told me about the oil cooler when i was explaining my build. My old RK had a 95" build with S&S cams that ran extremly well and had 36000 on it when i sold it. My indie recomended the 97" with the Woods cams for my riding style.
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
It would be hard not to trust Bob Woods advice!
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
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
My '09 RK is a 96" Stage One with no oil cooler. At 75 mph depending on ambient temperatures it runs between 240* and 260* on my one hour commute to and from the mountains where I live (includes two long uphill grades). I've put over 60k on this bike so far and no problems at all. I run synthetic oil religiously.
One of these days I'll add an oil cooler for good measure, but I've had no problem without it.
One of these days I'll add an oil cooler for good measure, but I've had no problem without it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 298
From: Central Fl
My '09 RK is a 96" Stage One with no oil cooler. At 75 mph depending on ambient temperatures it runs between 240* and 260* on my one hour commute to and from the mountains where I live (includes two long uphill grades). I've put over 60k on this bike so far and no problems at all. I run synthetic oil religiously.
One of these days I'll add an oil cooler for good measure, but I've had no problem without it.
One of these days I'll add an oil cooler for good measure, but I've had no problem without it.
Nothing wrong with oil temps in the 240-260* range. Especially with synthetics. HD claims that their fossil oil is good to 300* I would wrather my temps be a little high than low.