Ok im new here so take it easy on my but i was wondering....(just purchased a XL1200N) How mush heat comes off these engines not the oil temp but the actual heat coming off the engine like from the rocker box covers and such. Seems pretty hot in slow moving traffic. way hotter then the 190 oil temp

thanks in advance

 

Well, it is an air cooled engine, you do expect some heat in slow moving traffice. How hot? Depending on the weather.

 

So it will be hotter then what the oil stick says?

 

If you feel heat on your lap, that means the cooling fins on the jugs are doing the job, cooling the engine. I don't really play attention how hot it gets, 190 on the dipstick is nothing. I can't stick my fingers in the oil tank to compare lol.

 

Sure it will..

The 'fins' on the cases are used to help control thermal temperatures, but the combustion chamber temperature inside of the cases is extreme, much more than the 190 degree temperature of your oil.

Many vehicles (like the 9C1 LT1 Chevy police vehicle I own) have additional coolers for the oil system to help control the oil temperature, but other than use the correct plugs there isn't a whole lot you can do to control combustion chamber temperatures.

 

I can't tell you what the actual head temp. is but on a hot summer day stopped in traffic it can feel like you're straddleing a smoldering camp fire. 190 oil temp. is pretty normal. I've seen mine climb to 240 in the dead of summer in stopped traffic and when that's the case you should be thinking about syn. oil.

 

So hot they sell maxipads forriders and special butt ointment, too.

[sm=badbadbad.gif]

 

In terms of oil temp, I ussually average around 200-210 after a good ride. Head temps ussually in the 300-350 range, and cylinders in the 300 range, using a infrared thermometer.

 

What if the oil temp climbs to above 250 - 275 is that normal ? curious

 

Above 250 is getting pretty hot, it will happen from time to time. If you bike is getting that hot, that is ANOTHER reason to switch to synthetic oil.Dino oil starts to break down at 250.

I got mine almost up to 300 a few weeks ago, but that was due to a very abnormal riding situation.