I have a 2010 XL883L and I have been thinking about installing the HD oil cooler. I am looking for any info on the pros and cons of the HD cooler. Is this worth the money? Is there a better one then HD?

 

For most people, in most places, under most conditions, an oil cooler is unnecessary, and can even be a bad thing. If you aren't doing parades or the like when the ambient temperature is over 90, don't bother.

 

Your 883 doesn't make enough heat to need an oil cooler.

Bwana

 

Switching to synthetic oil alone will drop operating temps 20º.

As others have said an oil cooler is not needed.

 

Thanks for the help. I just had my 1000 mile service done and switched to synthetic oil.

 

im in arizona so i have a HD factory oil cooler with the inline thermostat. if you do install a oil cooler then id do the thermostat, or install a bypass valve for when its cold outside.

 

Was the thermostat part of the kit (or an hd part) kinda have be interested. it gets kinda hot over here

 

I use a cooler cover instead of a thermostat.

 

I'm totally getting it. I don't think the little block called an oil cooler cuts it.

Question: Do you think the HD spoiler will direct more air onto the stock cooler?

 

In a bike event crawl,,your engine goes into parade mode,,
The Oil cooler will not have much air flow at 1 mph
Harleys are designed to run at 230 degrees,,
Like people said Synthetic will drop ya 20,,
You then add a cooler you'll drop below 200 at times,,maybe often,,,Not good.
Your Oil needs to make 212 degree's to burn off condensation(water).....

If you race or ride in extreme heat go for it!
The Moto cops down here In Hot sticky Florida do not and have never
used Oil coolers..Police Bikes reach 100k miles often.

It's more Important that an engine reaches design operating temps and stays there.
If you "cool down" your Oil below 195 you will wear It out Quicker,,
If you cool down to a max below 212,,you will build up water In your oil,,,not good.

I have looked at many a Sportster down here In Florida In the heat of July,,
All Sporting Oil stick temp guages,,Big riders,,small riders,,
883's,,1200's stage one's,,,
I don't even have a oil temp guage,,no need because all these many bikes I've looked
at,,all the guages all say about the same thing,,the same range,,,200-225 degrees.
The Majority are closer to 215,,
The Guages at best are +-5%,,,
So,,why would I need a guage? Or an Oil cooler ?

A sportster will tell you If Its overheating,,It will shift different,,
soggy clutch,,mushy,,,soft,,whatevea.

Besides what real diff Is It If yer Oil Is ten or twenty degree's this way or that,,,,
Your Internal head temps are still at what,,,500-700 degrees or more,,,,

Run synthetic and spend the Oil cooler coin on beer XD

Thats my Story an I'm stickin to it !