How Hot is Too Hot?
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 69
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From: Prescott Valley, AZ
How Hot is Too Hot?
Did a run yesterday two up on my 03 Classic near Sedona here in Sunny AZ. Noted the running temp was about 230 in 90+degree weather. Once we hit the mountain/hill areas the temp climbed to 275 degrees. Bike still ran fine but it was clearly getting hot. Took quite a while to get the temp back down while coming down from 7,000 feet. Is this overcooking the oil in this bike or considered normal temps considering the terrain covered?
Geat question. I live in the middle of the Mexican dessert. There have been times it has been 110 and above, but I still ride. Is this a bad thing for the bike???? I'm not a wrench and just want to know.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 5
From: Cleveland, OH
Synthetic oil will help a tiny bit if you don't already run it. Higher ambient temps and climbing at higher elevations will definitely give it a workout. A lean running engine will also add to the problem.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,031
From: Carlsbad, CA
Many...many threads on this. Try searching this forum. A quick summary of you will find:
- there is no history of any bike failing because of overheating
- HD tests bikes by idling extensively in the desert
- only bikes with oil temperature gauges run hot
- put in synthetic oil, it has a higher breakdown temperature
- make sure EITMS is turned on. It is in the manual.
- consider adding cooling fans such at WardsPartWerks FCS fans.
Btw...my trike frequently went over 275 before the fans. Now with FCS fans it stays below 260. I can't quantify the temperature reduction with the fans. But, I'm guessing they reduced my maximum temperature in extreme conditions by at least 25 degrees
- there is no history of any bike failing because of overheating
- HD tests bikes by idling extensively in the desert
- only bikes with oil temperature gauges run hot
- put in synthetic oil, it has a higher breakdown temperature
- make sure EITMS is turned on. It is in the manual.
- consider adding cooling fans such at WardsPartWerks FCS fans.
Btw...my trike frequently went over 275 before the fans. Now with FCS fans it stays below 260. I can't quantify the temperature reduction with the fans. But, I'm guessing they reduced my maximum temperature in extreme conditions by at least 25 degrees
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 127
For all the legions of Harley riders out there who are paranoid about riding in hot weather... rest assured your bike is not going to melt down just because it is hot outside. You do, after all, have to keep it full of any brand of oil that meets the manufacturers specifications. There are probably a couple hundred different oils that fill the bill. Just pick one. You can pick an oil that costs $3 a quart or you can pay $15 a quart. As long as it meets the manufacturers specs it will be fine.
Your bike has an air cooled engine. The designers of the engine and the current engineers are familiar with the characteristics of air cooling. They fully realize that the bikes are going to run hot. So hot in fact that they are sometimes uncomfortable to ride in hot weather. They know that and design accordingly. Nobody abuses their motorcycle more than the factory does at their desert proving grounds. They ride them for hours in the scorching sun and then park them in direct sunlight and let them idle for 4 or 5 more hours until you would think they would seize up. They beat the hell out of them to make them blow up. Any cop who rides a Harley is going to give it way more of a workout than it is going to get when you or I ride ours. They let them idle while they hide under an overpass and then suddenly they jump on it and take off at 90 mph to catch some unsuspecting cage (or motorcycle). When they blow an engine it is seldom an issue with getting hot. And just because it will burn your hand when you touch it is no sign that "My engine runs real hot". Just ride and quit sweating all the small stuff. Pun intended.
Your bike has an air cooled engine. The designers of the engine and the current engineers are familiar with the characteristics of air cooling. They fully realize that the bikes are going to run hot. So hot in fact that they are sometimes uncomfortable to ride in hot weather. They know that and design accordingly. Nobody abuses their motorcycle more than the factory does at their desert proving grounds. They ride them for hours in the scorching sun and then park them in direct sunlight and let them idle for 4 or 5 more hours until you would think they would seize up. They beat the hell out of them to make them blow up. Any cop who rides a Harley is going to give it way more of a workout than it is going to get when you or I ride ours. They let them idle while they hide under an overpass and then suddenly they jump on it and take off at 90 mph to catch some unsuspecting cage (or motorcycle). When they blow an engine it is seldom an issue with getting hot. And just because it will burn your hand when you touch it is no sign that "My engine runs real hot". Just ride and quit sweating all the small stuff. Pun intended.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
For all the legions of Harley riders out there who are paranoid about riding in hot weather... rest assured your bike is not going to melt down just because it is hot outside. You do, after all, have to keep it full of any brand of oil that meets the manufacturers specifications. There are probably a couple hundred different oils that fill the bill. Just pick one. You can pick an oil that costs $3 a quart or you can pay $15 a quart. As long as it meets the manufacturers specs it will be fine.
Your bike has an air cooled engine. The designers of the engine and the current engineers are familiar with the characteristics of air cooling. They fully realize that the bikes are going to run hot. So hot in fact that they are sometimes uncomfortable to ride in hot weather. They know that and design accordingly. Nobody abuses their motorcycle more than the factory does at their desert proving grounds. They ride them for hours in the scorching sun and then park them in direct sunlight and let them idle for 4 or 5 more hours until you would think they would seize up. They beat the hell out of them to make them blow up. Any cop who rides a Harley is going to give it way more of a workout than it is going to get when you or I ride ours. They let them idle while they hide under an overpass and then suddenly they jump on it and take off at 90 mph to catch some unsuspecting cage (or motorcycle). When they blow an engine it is seldom an issue with getting hot. And just because it will burn your hand when you touch it is no sign that "My engine runs real hot". Just ride and quit sweating all the small stuff. Pun intended.
Your bike has an air cooled engine. The designers of the engine and the current engineers are familiar with the characteristics of air cooling. They fully realize that the bikes are going to run hot. So hot in fact that they are sometimes uncomfortable to ride in hot weather. They know that and design accordingly. Nobody abuses their motorcycle more than the factory does at their desert proving grounds. They ride them for hours in the scorching sun and then park them in direct sunlight and let them idle for 4 or 5 more hours until you would think they would seize up. They beat the hell out of them to make them blow up. Any cop who rides a Harley is going to give it way more of a workout than it is going to get when you or I ride ours. They let them idle while they hide under an overpass and then suddenly they jump on it and take off at 90 mph to catch some unsuspecting cage (or motorcycle). When they blow an engine it is seldom an issue with getting hot. And just because it will burn your hand when you touch it is no sign that "My engine runs real hot". Just ride and quit sweating all the small stuff. Pun intended.
Like he says...just ride...if it make ya feel better, put another oil cooler on it, put fans on it, but the engine is designed for it...
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,166
From: SE Michigan
WISDOM right there. Even tho I just got done putting one on LOL
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