As we all know the 2007 and later 96", 103" & 110" engine is a VERY HOT running engine and the heat coming off the engine and exhaust pipes is a very common complaint.
These high engine temps at operation can be mostly attributed to the closed loop operating mode of the EFI system. The HD closed loop operating mode relies on narrow band O2 sensors to keep the AFR at 14.7:1 at idle, under normal riding circumstances and while cruising.
The HD engine EFI acts different when the engine gets hotter than normal when idling for long periods of time, during slow riding conditions or when the ambient temps get around 80 degrees and above. When the ECM senses hot cylinder head temperatures the ECM goes into overheat/high temp mode which is commonly referred to as "Parade Mode". Knowing that this overheat mode exsist and recognizing what happens as the engine gets hotter may help you understand the bike a little bit more.
During engine warm up the engine runs OPEN LOOP mode at 12.0:1 AFR. No matter what this is the AFR at starting.
After the ECM determines that the engine is warmed up , it goes into CLOSED
LOOP mode and and leans out the AFR to 14.7:1 and the engine will idle at 1050rpm.
In OVERHEAT mode (parade mode) the RPM's drop to 950 and the ECM goes into OPEN LOOP which will richen the AFR to 12:1 in a attempt to cool the engine. As soon as the engine hits 1200 RPM's the ECM goes back into CLOSED LOOP mode at 14.7:1 AFR. The minimum amount of throttle or blipping the throttle will lean out the engine as long as the ECM is in "Overheat Mode".
If the bike tries to accelerate, the engine will stumble and the continued lean AFR condition can increase engine temp.
A OEM engine will go into OVERHEAT MODE in about 10 minutes when idling when the ambient temps is about 80 degrees. Exhaust pipe temps 6" to 12" from the cylinder heads will get to around 700 to 750 degrees with the heat shields hitting temps up around 200 degrees in the same area.
The best thing to do for a OVERHEATING engine is "DO NOT GIVE THE ENGINE ANY THROTTLE" unless you are ready to move. You can recognize a OVERHEATING engine when the idle speed drops from 1050 to 950 RPMs. If this happens, let the engine IDLE until you are ready to move.
These high engine temps at operation can be mostly attributed to the closed loop operating mode of the EFI system. The HD closed loop operating mode relies on narrow band O2 sensors to keep the AFR at 14.7:1 at idle, under normal riding circumstances and while cruising.
The HD engine EFI acts different when the engine gets hotter than normal when idling for long periods of time, during slow riding conditions or when the ambient temps get around 80 degrees and above. When the ECM senses hot cylinder head temperatures the ECM goes into overheat/high temp mode which is commonly referred to as "Parade Mode". Knowing that this overheat mode exsist and recognizing what happens as the engine gets hotter may help you understand the bike a little bit more.
During engine warm up the engine runs OPEN LOOP mode at 12.0:1 AFR. No matter what this is the AFR at starting.
After the ECM determines that the engine is warmed up , it goes into CLOSED
LOOP mode and and leans out the AFR to 14.7:1 and the engine will idle at 1050rpm.
In OVERHEAT mode (parade mode) the RPM's drop to 950 and the ECM goes into OPEN LOOP which will richen the AFR to 12:1 in a attempt to cool the engine. As soon as the engine hits 1200 RPM's the ECM goes back into CLOSED LOOP mode at 14.7:1 AFR. The minimum amount of throttle or blipping the throttle will lean out the engine as long as the ECM is in "Overheat Mode".
If the bike tries to accelerate, the engine will stumble and the continued lean AFR condition can increase engine temp.
A OEM engine will go into OVERHEAT MODE in about 10 minutes when idling when the ambient temps is about 80 degrees. Exhaust pipe temps 6" to 12" from the cylinder heads will get to around 700 to 750 degrees with the heat shields hitting temps up around 200 degrees in the same area.
The best thing to do for a OVERHEATING engine is "DO NOT GIVE THE ENGINE ANY THROTTLE" unless you are ready to move. You can recognize a OVERHEATING engine when the idle speed drops from 1050 to 950 RPMs. If this happens, let the engine IDLE until you are ready to move.
