What does everyone think about oil coolers, a must or not? Just thinking about buying a cooler for my 2006 dyna. I live in Illinois so some of my riding is during hot weather.

 

Lived in 100+ weather during summer with the last 3 Harley's. Never had a cooler and never had a problem. IMO it's not needed unless you really do a lot of stop and go such as cruising or parades.

 

May not be a must but it gives me peace of mind. I have an HD oil cooler on my 09 RG and in this memphis heat have never seen oil temp above 235 deg. It is usually around 225 deg. I use HD dino oil. Good stuff.

 

I have HD oil cooler on my Softail and like others have said...it can't hurt.
I ride two up alot here in So.Calif heat, on the freeways at 70MPH and when I stop I look to see the oil temp...it's around 220-230.....
On cooler days 70's it's around 200

 

Out in Wash state they must not have much real city driving. If you live in or near a major city and have temps in the 90s it would probably be helpful. I work in Baltimore and live about 10 miles form the city line and do quite a bit of stop and go. Also with the engine work i have had done the engine can tend to run hot. It depends on your riding habits and your bike upgrades!

This bike is less than a year old and my oil cooler is on order and I plan to install it with my next oil change probably about 2-3 weeks from now.



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This is my two cents I live in Fla and had 3 bikes in the last 12 years and never had a cooler because it is only working when you are running down the highway .So if you are setting still its not doing a thing.

 

Close, but there is some benefit even standing still due to natural convection on the extra surface area. Some even have a fan. Best to keep it moving.

 

I do lots of city driving in Spokane which can top 90 and before that I lived in Sacramento CA which tops 100+ during summer. Though I will admit traffic in Spokane may not as bad as Baltimore, Sacramento is. Still never needed a cooler. I also have had mods on all bikes, most recently 103 kit. To each his own.