Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Lars]

A fellow rider and I were discussing riding to the Badlands this summer and he was curious about the hot weather riding and whether there may be a problem with the engine getting too hot.  He has an oil temp gauge on his Heritage but we were wondering at what oil temperature should one start to be concerned and when should you shut the engine off and let it cool down.
Can anyone give me an answer to this important oil temp question?

[dartman]

I ran a rented heritage classic through the desert in California 110 degrees for hours and it performed perfectly without a temperature gauge,  have him cover his with tape and enjoy the ride, we putted through Joshua tree national park at high noon at 25 mph and the 08 heritage never skipped a beat, these antique motors are lot tougher then people give them credit for. I rode many years without an oil pressure gauge or oil temperature gauge and never experienced a problem.

[Lars]

I agree they are great engines and very durable. I've ridden through the bad lands before on my '07 ElectraGlide Classic and never had a problem. We were just wondering at what oil temperature could there be a problem. Harley has the safety system now that shuts the rear cylinder off when it gets too hot but if you don't have that option it would be nice to know when to become concerned if you are stuck in traffic that's just clutch and go.

[Aussie]

Were they 110ci motors?

[Lars]

I don't see that it matters what size of engine. Oil temp is oil temp, but for the record, one was a 96 and the other was a 110.

[DCFIREMANN]

Motor size will make a difference especially if they are stock. The 110 will produce a lot more heat then a 96. So in reality motor size will matter. But as far as riding the Badlands this summer, you won't have any problems at all. Enjoy your ride and I may just see you out there!!!!

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[Lars]

It doesn't matter what size engine, whether it has an oil cooler or not. What I am asking is "At what oil temp should one become concerned about over heating the engine and doing damage?".
Oil temperature is my question.

[DCFIREMANN]

It doesn't matter what size engine, whether it has an oil cooler or not. What I am asking is "At what oil temp should one become concerned about over heating the engine and doing damage?".
Oil temperature is my question.

Before you can get an accurate answer to your question. What oil will you be running? That is a big factor when you need to know when is too hot!!!

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[Lars]

What temp if regular oil?
What temp if synthetic oil?

[DCFIREMANN]

Generally speaking and for a rule of thumb. 250* F for dino oil and 300* F for syn motor oil. There are parts of the motor which produce a lot more heat than I just mentioned. But remember the oil is constantly in motion inside your motor when running. So if you measure the heat around the ring area you may see temp as high as 600* F. But the oil is there to lubricate and cool the internals of your motor. So if you have a temp gauge on your dipstick and you see 300* F I would be worried!!!

There may be others that want to chime in as this is a VERY technical question.   

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[Lars]

Now we're getting somewhere.
Thank you very much.
It is a very technical question and since I'm not very technical, the rule of thumb answer is what we needed.
Input from others will also be very appreciated.

Thanks Again.

[Midnight Rider]

Good, full synthetics do not break down at temps you would see normally.  I would begin to be concerned with an oil temp of 280 and really concerned at 300.  I have never seen oil temps on my 110 exceed 260, even down here, where it's not uncommon to have 98 degree temps with 90% humidity.  But, I do not have the stock exhaust with the Cat and have a canned TTS map in the bike.  That's reading it off a LED dipstick when I think about it at gas stops.

I would not even consider putting Dino oil in a modern HD, particularly a 110.  A 110 will definitely run hotter than a 96 or an older version 103.

If I was in the kind of traffic where I started seeing a temp of 280+ degrees, I'd get off and go have a cold beer.

[SanJuanRon]

I drive thru the Nevada desert in my SEEG ('11 110 Cat removed) every summer (think 110-115 degrees).  With the Syn 3, I was pushing 280-285 driving thru Vegas (stop and go traffic).  Same thing happened last year (I had switched to Mobil 1 Synthetic) and never got above 270.  In both cases it was many hours at temps well in excess of 105 and in neither case did I have any problems.  SJ Ron

[DCFIREMANN]

Good, full synthetics do not break down at temps you would see normally.  I would begin to be concerned with an oil temp of 280 and really concerned at 300.  I have never seen oil temps on my 110 exceed 260, even down here, where it's not uncommon to have 98 degree temps with 90% humidity.  But, I do not have the stock exhaust with the Cat and have a canned TTS map in the bike.  That's reading it off a LED dipstick when I think about it at gas stops.

I would not even consider putting Dino oil in a modern HD, particularly a 110.  A 110 will definitely run hotter than a 96 or an older version 103.

If I was in the kind of traffic where I started seeing a temp of 280+ degrees, I'd get off and go have a cold beer.

Excellent answer Terry. I tried to explain it the best I could. For the ease of availability why would you ever consider dino oil in a "V" twin? Oh and if you are doing your own oil changes please use a good syn oil. There is a difference.

LARS you are very welcome. i hope you enjoy your trip. Oh and like I said I may just see you out there!!!!

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[CVCVORG]

When I lived in Myrtle Beach, I rode 2002 Road Glide with 95 inch Kit and 10-1 compression.

Once in beach traffic the oil got above 270 and the oil pressure dropped out, so I pulled over and shut it down.

That when I switched to Mobil 1 synthetic oils.

Never an issue after that even at beach stuck in traffic.

Now I have the 110 inch SE and consistently see temps 260-270.