Taking 3000mi trip on 2011 street glide this aug. Seeing as how it has been so hot here in the Midwest should I remove the lowers for better air circulation? I don't ride very hard and bike has synthetic oil. With vents moved to full open seems to be good air flow to engine. Thanks to replies.

 

It has been proven many times on this forum that the engine actually runs cooler with the lowers in place. The lowers direct more air over the engine than without.

 

The first thing I did on both Glides was remove the lowers. The engine may run cooler by something, but with temps in the summer in south Texas, I need the extra airflow. It does make a difference cooling the rider with them off.

 

I am with you there. I have a set of lowers for my Road King, but can't bring myself to put them on in the summer even though the engine might be a tad happier.

 

I don't know about the engine but the rider is definitely cooler with them off in the summer. I removed mine about 2 weeks ago.

 

I use to take the vents out of my Lowers in the summer to let more air through. It is a major difference with the heat.
But with the new 2012 SE and the speakers installed, I didn't want to mess with it twice a year again so I decided to trim them with a dremil tool.


Here's a couples of pictures open and closed. Amazingly closed they still have full coverage.

open


closed

 

I leave mine on all the time. If i get a little warm I put my feet out on the highway pegs.

 

For me, opening the vents was not enough, when I removed the lowers, the heat disappeared, even riding in triple digit temps.

Trust me, remove them, try it out before your big trip and you will find out.

 

I would'nt take them off, they protect your legs from wind, rain, road debris, etc. I live in Texas and 100+ temps is not uncommon. I ride with the lowers on year around, not a problem unless stuck in heavy traffic.

 

took mine off the first year during the summer put them back on in the fall, then took them back off next spring hung them on the wall and they haven't moved to this day. the only time I wish they were on is when I'm on a trip and get caught in the rain