Just installed temp gauge?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: Coastal Georgia
Just installed temp gauge?
Installed H-D temp gauge in fairing of my 09 street glide this weekend. Instructions said that the temp should be around 230 degrees, however I rode for about 15 miles and it never got over 170? I have an oil cooler and use mobil 1 synthetic oil. I should note that it was 80 degrees air temp on this ride.
Is this normal or should I pull the sensor and test it in hot water?
Any thoughts!
Is this normal or should I pull the sensor and test it in hot water?
Any thoughts!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
Installed H-D temp gauge in fairing of my 09 street glide this weekend. Instructions said that the temp should be around 230 degrees, however I rode for about 15 miles and it never got over 170? I have an oil cooler and use mobil 1 synthetic oil. I should note that it was 80 degrees air temp on this ride.
Is this normal or should I pull the sensor and test it in hot water?
Any thoughts!
Is this normal or should I pull the sensor and test it in hot water?
Any thoughts!
You will NOT get up to operating temps in 15 miles....... unless you're in city traffic for the whole thing.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 903
Likes: 8
From: California
I have the HD oil temp gauge. Same issue with mine. It runs around 180/190. However, when outside air temp gets up there a bit, it shows the temp up around 210/230. I think the suggestion to use hot water to test is a good one. I don't know how accurate they really are so I am suspicious as well. Also, I have a HD oil cooler installed.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From:
Mine does the same. As long as I'm moving 50+ and temps are 80F or less it sits right at 170F or a bit less. If I hit traffic and slow down it moves to 230F and pretty much stays there unless I stop. I start moving again it slowly drops.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: Coastal Georgia
Thanks for the info guys! The ride I took was to my buddy's house. He had a digital oil dipstick in his 01 road king but it pushes in not threaded like mine. I checked the temp with it. It showed 169, gauge said 170 or there abouts so maybe it's close. Will take long ride tomorrow and repost.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 298
From: Central Fl
It takes a looonnnng time for engine oil to reach operating temps.Even in the summer with temps at 90* my oil temps are barely 200* after a 20 mi ride on a toll rd and about 5 mi of that would be surface streets.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
Same here and I also have an oil cooler. My gauge sits at 170F-180F when I'm moving normally. If I hit slow traffic, the temp will reach 200F, sometimes 220F-230F depending how slowly I'm moving, for how long and how hot it is. If I hit open roads again, the oil temp will not drop by much, maybe 10F-15F at the most but it'll stay above 200F until I stop.
Last edited by frenchbiker; May 21, 2012 at 05:07 PM.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,502
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From: Lapeer , Mich
put one in my Ultra last winter and it really suprised me how long it takes to get up to normal temp , one big thing to use them for is just get used to what is NORMAL for your bike then you can tell if you are having a problem
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That's funny, I've been wanting to put one on my '12 SG. But, now I'm wondering why. I think my oil temps are probably around 170/180, and when I get in traffic or stop it probably hits 220-230 and then slowly goes back to 170/180 when I start moving again. But, that's just my guess. Usually I'm buying stuff based on this forum, I think I just saved some $$ and some installation time! 
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