Summer riding: Engine temps and heat management
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 6
From: Spokane, WA.
Summer riding: Engine temps and heat management
So, Friday, it was a moderate 91 degrees. (I know other areas of the country are getting their share of high temps of late and 91 may not be all that warm where you are)
Rode to a friend's shop about 20 miles from me, and it was 91 degrees out on the way back home. My engine temp ( reading my PV ) was reading 255 on the freeway, and when i proceeded to travel the mile or so from the off ramp to my house, sat for two lights and 35 mph speed limit, i did watch the temp readout climb at the stop light to 285 and then the heat management cut in where the 1 cylinder cuts out.
I was wondering since these HD's are air cooled, if prolonged operational engine temp of 285 to 300 is cause for concern?
I don't ride much in in-town traffic, but I can well imagine that riding in stop and go traffic in 90+ degree weather would certainly get engine temps over 285.
For those that ride in areas that experience 90 degree+ temps as more of the norm, what engine temps do you encounter and do you run a engine cooling fan?
What do you do for cooling things down ? Do you avoid stop and go in city riding?
I do have the factory ( small ) oil cooler and run M-1 Vtwin synthetic oil.
Thanks.
Rode to a friend's shop about 20 miles from me, and it was 91 degrees out on the way back home. My engine temp ( reading my PV ) was reading 255 on the freeway, and when i proceeded to travel the mile or so from the off ramp to my house, sat for two lights and 35 mph speed limit, i did watch the temp readout climb at the stop light to 285 and then the heat management cut in where the 1 cylinder cuts out.
I was wondering since these HD's are air cooled, if prolonged operational engine temp of 285 to 300 is cause for concern?
I don't ride much in in-town traffic, but I can well imagine that riding in stop and go traffic in 90+ degree weather would certainly get engine temps over 285.
For those that ride in areas that experience 90 degree+ temps as more of the norm, what engine temps do you encounter and do you run a engine cooling fan?
What do you do for cooling things down ? Do you avoid stop and go in city riding?
I do have the factory ( small ) oil cooler and run M-1 Vtwin synthetic oil.
Thanks.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 595
Likes: 1
From: Chesapeake, Va
personally my opinion is that if the bike gets too hot for me to handle , I'll pull over and cool off some. I think the bike is designed to take the heat. So if I start overheating the bike gets a break also.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From:
Just posted similar question a few days ago about my PV reading engine temps between 280 - 290 on hot 92 degree ride. Seems this is quite normal on the newer bikes based on the responses I received. Although, my rear cylinder did not shut down at these temps? Bike just seems a bit weaker when it gets that hot...
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 1,964
From: New England
I use to live in Atlanta and during the warmer times of the year, high engine temps were the norm.
I knew of no one that had a cooling fan on the bike, most did use synthetic oil, many had the cat removed, and nearly everyone had a good tune to help with the temps.
Hope that helps...
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
I would think that the modern vtwin can handle a broad range of temperatures. eitms and common sense use of breaks during hot weather will be fine. I am however an owner and a fan (pun intended) of Jason Ward's FCS fans. Disgustingly hot and humid here and temp management never cut in once. So can the bike handle it? Yes. Can you do things to help? Yes. One more thing IMHO. Good oil and proper weight oil for the temperature conditions. Synthetics will help as well.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
eitms is a marketing gimmick pure and simple. Does next to nothing. Other than that I agree with you. That cat blazing doesn't shut down when eitms kicks in. No savings in comfort.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
My recipe for the heat (desert): Make sure the bike isn't running 'lean'. Run synthetic oil. Get an oil-cooler. Don't restrict air to engine (remove lowers, etc.) during summer. I have ridden in some pretty hot weather without problems. As long as you're moving at a good clip on level road, you shouldn't have an issue. Uphill? Might cause a problem. Stop and go? Again, might be a problem. Personally, if my bike went into 'single cylinder' mode, I'd pull over in the shade, shut it down, and wait.
alan
alan
Last edited by AlanStansbery; Jun 30, 2013 at 02:43 PM.
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From: Southern Nevada
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 1
From: Long Island NY
I would think that the modern vtwin can handle a broad range of temperatures. eitms and common sense use of breaks during hot weather will be fine. I am however an owner and a fan (pun intended) of Jason Ward's FCS fans. Disgustingly hot and humid here and temp management never cut in once. So can the bike handle it? Yes. Can you do things to help? Yes. One more thing IMHO. Good oil and proper weight oil for the temperature conditions. Synthetics will help as well.