Heat damage

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Dec 13, 2013 | 08:31 PM

#11

goodbirds

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 2,395

Likes: 25

From: St George, UT

Maybe I'm the fortunate one, but my 07 Ultra has never been unbearably hot for me. Having said that, before I took delivery, I had the dealer install the mid-frame heat deflectors that are now standard equipment. Another thing I added was the air dam that attaches below the steering neck. Perhaps it deflects additional air to the engine for more cooling.

My bike is stock. It has 75,000 miles on it now. It runs like new. It is noisy in the top end around 2,000 rpm, but so are most V-twins with push rod lifters. I've noticed that when I do a 20 mile run down the Interstate, that the engine is very quiet when I get off the highway. No doubt the engine has heated up to where the engineers allowed for proper clearance of piston walls and valve trains.

FWIW, I've always used Syn3. The older I get, the less likely I am to ride in 100+ temperatures if I can avoid it. I have no heat complaints.

Dec 13, 2013 | 08:53 PM

#12

NDBadlands4-2

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 14,778

Likes: 69

From: Badlands of ND

I have had the ETMS kick in on several occasions. Never had a single heat related issue.

Dec 13, 2013 | 09:17 PM

#13

'05Train

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 7,439

Likes: 884

From: 'Noke, VA

Harley tests its bikes in Arizona. They sit them out on the tarmac in direct sunshine and let them idle until they run out of gas.

All the add-on fans, cooler, and whatnot are for rider comfort. You're not going to hurt the motor with heat.

Dec 14, 2013 | 01:09 AM

#14

bigdumbnoitall00

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 8,341

Likes: 714

the exhaust bracket got so hot it hardened and crumbled in my hand while removing it.07 ultra,this was after 18 months of stock running,remap and huge improvement.

Dec 14, 2013 | 01:25 AM

#15

dickey

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 19,980

Likes: 6,108

From: Florida

Take your bike out at night,ride 2 or 3 miles, then find a dark area,pull over, and look at your rear exhaust pipe where it exits the head.

What color is it glowing?!

Dec 14, 2013 | 02:02 AM

#16

94ruck

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 538

Likes: 24

From: Texas

Yes our orange dirt bikes will create the header glow at idle noticeable only when it is dark. these bikes are engineered to run, meet epa standards and last. With that said, i didn't like the pinging in my stock 103 road king classic so i made some adjustments..more power less heat at right foot, more nox gases, less fuel mileage...give and take from stock...oh yea, more noise(which i like but not everyone does)

Dec 14, 2013 | 07:03 AM

#17

VTL nut

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,537

Likes: 4

From: The Great River Road, Wisconsin

The stage 1 upgrades will still make for a 100K plus motor. They are highly engineered machines but are built to last like a John deere. Pretty simple yet complex machines, but they continue to hold up. There are many things they do in the manufacturing process to insure this.

Dec 14, 2013 | 09:32 AM

#18

wndchsr2

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 698

Likes: 13

Isnt part of the testing of these bikes being overheated till they simply shut down due to heat? Seems like I remember hearing that somewhere. I think Harley knows they run hot and test em in those kinds of conditions.

Dont think I have ever heard of one of these bikes being damaged due to heat.