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How hot is too hot???

5K views 11 replies 10 participants last post by  Big_gary 
#1 ·
Just upgraded to the shark a month ago from FLHRC, and I have noticed that the engine temp on the shark seems to get hotter faster riding stop and go around town. The engine temp I am referring to is the one displayed on my PV which comes from the ECM. The other day on a short ride I was at a red light and temp was 298F. I just would like to know what is the temp range at which I should start to be concerned. Warmed up on the HWY I average around 258F, but around town it quickly gets close to 300F in traffic. :confused: :confused:
 
#2 ·
I don't know "how hot is too hot?" but I do know that my 2012 RGU gets hotter than any other bike I have owned recently, and that would be 5 others. It gets hot in town, it gets hot on long rides, it just flat can't move air through the system and gets hot. I put true duals and a Stage 1 on my last 103" and I can't get that setup on this RG fast enough!
 
#3 ·
I replaced header in week two. I had forgotten how hot the stock header got. The setup I have now is identical to the one I had on my 2011 FLHRC. Just seems indicated temps rise faster and are close to 300F riding around town. Has not gone above 300 yet, I just want to know if 300F is close to where I should be concerned, or what the default temp is before a cylinder shuts down for cooling??
 
#5 ·
I installed a fan & new oil cooler as well as a temp gauge. At 200 degrees the fan comes on, even if I'm riding at highway speed. It seems to stay at 230 unless I really hit traffic. Yesterday was very hot and I was caught in bad NY traffic. It went up to 270.

I removed the cat from the headers and am running richer the engine richer.
 
#6 ·
Oh, I almost forgot. Before I had the headers removed and ran richer (in other words the bike was bone stock) I had the bike shut down on me in gridlock traffic. Cops were there so I couldn't white line. So all of a sudden the bike started running very rough. As I pulled over it shut down. No, I didn't have the temp gauge yet so I couldn't tell you what temp. But boy was it running hot.
 
#7 ·
I was told that the twin cams run alot hotter than previous motors for whatever the reasons. I had the same concerns when i put the oil temp gauge in a few years ago. I was told they will and do run about 300° and better. When my cylinder shuts off in traffic its usually about 240ish. Was also told when they tune the bikes they get them well over 300°. All of this was told to me by a dealer tech so take it for what its worth.
 
#8 ·
I'm pushing 6000 miles on my 2013 RGU. I very, very seldom runs above 230 and I have seen 250 only once. I don't drive in the heavy stop and go traffic, pretty much totally country riding and interstate. Went ot SWIII and it was hotter than all get outs, thats when I hit 250. I have the stage I with ceramic pipes. Just FYI. Also, I average 48-50 mpg, sometimes 52. I used the Power Vision Basic to tune it. Maybe my oil temp guage is off?
 
#11 ·
The bikes normal engine tmp at the heads can be 230/298 temp And that all depends on a few things like traffic, tune, and how you ride your bike,

Few things you can do to help.
1. oil cooler and good syn oil like mobil 1 20/50
2. EFI tuner and someone who knows how to tune.
3. Try to avoid stop and go traffic
4. Get a jims fan on the heads or something like that.
5. A cam with alittle more over lap will help
 
#12 ·
I put a dog dish on mine that seemed to cool the engine down a little. Seems to direct more wind on the engine. You have to be moving tho. Of course this is being judged by ass heat. :)
 
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