cooler engine with lowers?
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 929
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From: Central CA
cooler engine with lowers?
I thought I read somewhere on this forum that the engine run cooler with the lowers on, air funnels to the engine. I quess the question is (if anyone knows) does the bike run cooler with the lowers on or the lowers off?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
My testing in phx on a 105ş day showed oil temps measured at the pan were 25ş cooler with the lowers on.
Lowers off, 18 mile loop
Lowers on, same 18 mile loop
both loops, same afternoon and mostly at 55~60 mph
the second loop had hot oil from the first trip, the oil the first loop was a chilly 100ş or so from the garage.
I leave them on now, year round.
Mike
Lowers off, 18 mile loop
Lowers on, same 18 mile loop
both loops, same afternoon and mostly at 55~60 mph
the second loop had hot oil from the first trip, the oil the first loop was a chilly 100ş or so from the garage.
I leave them on now, year round.
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; May 3, 2012 at 12:26 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I've never taken my lowers off so I can't say for sure one way or the other. I have no reason to doubt mkguitar so I'll go with that.
But here's another reason to leave them on year-around that I have experienced... You know how wind chill works when it's cold? Well that same thing happens at the opposite end of the temp spectrum when it's hot. I've found that somewhere around high 90's to low 100's, or higher, that it feels cooler behind the fairing than if you stick yourself out into the wind. The fairings take away some of that blast furnace effect.
But here's another reason to leave them on year-around that I have experienced... You know how wind chill works when it's cold? Well that same thing happens at the opposite end of the temp spectrum when it's hot. I've found that somewhere around high 90's to low 100's, or higher, that it feels cooler behind the fairing than if you stick yourself out into the wind. The fairings take away some of that blast furnace effect.
Supporter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,189
Likes: 16
From: N.E. Wisconsin
I've never taken my lowers off so I can't say for sure one way or the other. I have no reason to doubt mkguitar so I'll go with that.
But here's another reason to leave them on year-around that I have experienced... You know how wind chill works when it's cold? Well that same thing happens at the opposite end of the temp spectrum when it's hot. I've found that somewhere around high 90's to low 100's, or higher, that it feels cooler behind the fairing than if you stick yourself out into the wind. The fairings take away some of that blast furnace effect.
But here's another reason to leave them on year-around that I have experienced... You know how wind chill works when it's cold? Well that same thing happens at the opposite end of the temp spectrum when it's hot. I've found that somewhere around high 90's to low 100's, or higher, that it feels cooler behind the fairing than if you stick yourself out into the wind. The fairings take away some of that blast furnace effect.
Last edited by drukanfu; May 3, 2012 at 05:52 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
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From: anacoco, la
it may help the engine run cooler, but that heat is gotta go somewhere, and that somewhere is you.......
some people like the look.....
some people like the look.....
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 280
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From: MN
I don't know if my engine is running cooler or not, but the seat of my pants feeling is that I feel cooler with them off. I wonder if the humidity in MN makes a differance compared to the "Dry Heat" of the desert .(On how it feels not the engine temp)
I'm glad I have them for when it's colder.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,468
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From: South Carolina
I was riding back from getting my seat worked on by MCC the other day and I was on the interstate so I decided to open the vent on my lower fairing. The engine definitely cooled down as opposed to lower fairing with vent closed. Does that mean it runs cooler with or without fairing, I dont know but it was pretty warm before opening the vent.