Too Hot to ride
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
Do you own a Harley?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Engineer's, regardless of how much money they make, cannot change the laws of physics!!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
Seriously? It's an AIR COOLED engine. The hotter the ambient temperature and the less air moving across the engine the hotter it will become. Engineers have figured out all kinds of ways to cool them down, fans, radiators, etc., but most Harley owners, including myself, don't want to change the looks, sound, etc. of what is an American legend. You guys know the old saying, "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen", and it applies here. "if you can't stand the heat, get off the motorcycle". Me, personally, I'm with BigGelvis on this one, I just love to ride, heat, cold, rain, wind, whatever, all part of the experience, I just don't let it get to me. And yes, I'm from Wisconsin, but not my whole life and leaving Friday on a 10 day trip to Florida, looking at 103 in Tenneseethis week according to the weather man, but that's just the way it is, lots of water and sun block, good to go.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 25
From: NorCal
In order to accomplish those two things, along with satisfying CARB or the EPA, heat is generated. It is what it is.
Now, I've had two BMW's, both water cooled. They ran hot too, temp gauge reading near red with radiator fans at full blast. And my right heel would bake from the catalytic converter.
Others complain about heat from other touring bikes. It's not a problem unique to Harley. Just something that has to be dealt with one way or another.
I never noticed excessive heat from the exhaust on my '10. Just from the motor itself in slow traffic on a hot day. After cams, dyno and a ceramic exhaust the bike ran noticeably cooler.
Supporter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,189
Likes: 16
From: N.E. Wisconsin
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They also make right leg heat shields of some sort don't they? Not sure, just heard it from somewhere...Also not sure how that would affect cooling, i'm guessing wouldn't help the motor any
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 6
From: Spokane, WA.
Epa
It does suck that a buyer needs to get an EFI tuner to cool things down however, it does help.
When i saw my new 2011 RKC on the showroom floor last year, and they started it up, I shook my head and we talked modifications right there. I went with V&H power duals and mufflers and Ventilator AC and cams right out of the gate dealer installed and SE Pro race tuner.