Lowers on Ultra Classic
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 498
Likes: 28
From: Iowa
Lowers on Ultra Classic
Year ago got a 2012 UC and one of the first things i did was take off the lowers to get more air to the engine. I had never had a bike with lowers so didnt really see the value in them.
About a month ago, with colder weather coming on, I put them back on. Totally amazed at the impact they have on handling. I used to struggle with strong cross winds and head winds and the lowers really help reduce that issue.
About a month ago, with colder weather coming on, I put them back on. Totally amazed at the impact they have on handling. I used to struggle with strong cross winds and head winds and the lowers really help reduce that issue.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
myself and others have tested motor temps with lowers on/off.
my own testing at 105ş ambient temperature shows 25ş lower oil temps with the lowers in place.
the lowers help to order the turbulent air and direct it to the motor.
the air coming off the wheel/fender etc. is disorganized,
the increased air flowing past the motor and the increased heat removed from the motor may combine in a "blow dryer effect" experienced by the rider. I wear thick jeans, maybe chaps on a long day.
the same aerodynamics is why an intake flows better with an air cleaner ( or even cupped hand) than with out
fairing lowers work for me visually as they complement the overall tear drop profile of a touring chassis
mike
my own testing at 105ş ambient temperature shows 25ş lower oil temps with the lowers in place.
the lowers help to order the turbulent air and direct it to the motor.
the air coming off the wheel/fender etc. is disorganized,
the increased air flowing past the motor and the increased heat removed from the motor may combine in a "blow dryer effect" experienced by the rider. I wear thick jeans, maybe chaps on a long day.
the same aerodynamics is why an intake flows better with an air cleaner ( or even cupped hand) than with out
fairing lowers work for me visually as they complement the overall tear drop profile of a touring chassis
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Oct 21, 2012 at 02:24 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
If you are experiencing lot of heat. Removing the lowers is the easiest and a effective way of cooling the engine. Yes They do make a difference.
The cat.. in the header is one of the most heat producing part of the bike other than it being so lean.
My CVO street glide would cook you. It was unbelievable how much heat this bike had. Every time we rode my wife's and my right leg would be red from the heat.
I changed to a cat.. less header and PCV and now it is good to go with the lowers on.
we love our music and did not want to lose the lower speakers.
just a thought
dd
The cat.. in the header is one of the most heat producing part of the bike other than it being so lean.
My CVO street glide would cook you. It was unbelievable how much heat this bike had. Every time we rode my wife's and my right leg would be red from the heat.
I changed to a cat.. less header and PCV and now it is good to go with the lowers on.
we love our music and did not want to lose the lower speakers.
just a thought
dd
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Channahon Illinois
I had never put mine on, they sat in my basement. I put them on two weeks ago when it was cold and we were going for a ride with some friends. I wish I had put them on earlier I also noticed a diffrence in the way it handles in the wind.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: No where near you, OH
myself and others have tested motor temps with lowers on/off.
my own testing at 105ş ambient temperature shows 25ş lower oil temps with the lowers in place.
the lowers help to order the turbulent air and direct it to the motor.
the air coming off the wheel/fender etc. is disorganized,
mike
my own testing at 105ş ambient temperature shows 25ş lower oil temps with the lowers in place.
the lowers help to order the turbulent air and direct it to the motor.
the air coming off the wheel/fender etc. is disorganized,
mike
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 1
From: East Coast
Yes, lower fairings block some of the air rushing past your legs. But where does that air go? Most think it's deflected to the outside like it would from a V plow. But if you look at the profile of HD hard lowers from above, you'll see that they are further forward on the outside than they are in by the frame. Any air hitting anywhere but on the curved outside edge is funneled into the front of the engine. It would therefore make sense (to me at least) that the increase in air flow over the engine fins while h bike is moving would serve to lower engine ttemperature.