Having the gauge is not so much a matter of oil temperature accuracy as much as it is a means for you to monitor your oil temps at any certain time under any certain conditions. Oil temperature is a relative thing. Sitting side by side with another bike, you will not always have matching temps. Use it to monitor your bikes operating oil temps on short runs and long highway trips. If it is 65* and you are at full operating temps, you will have a certain oil temp reading. If it is 85* and you are at full operating temps your oil temps will be higher. if you are in stop and go traffic your temps will rise and if you are moving your temps will drop. It's all relative. If your scoot is running at peak performance and the oil temps are in the 180* to 220* range you are running good. Don't obsess over it.

 

 

That is why you should only use them as a guide. Not as Gospel.

 

My fairing-mounted gauge matches my IR thermometer within a few degrees. I agree with Soos that the need for an exact temperature should be less a priority than seeing relative relationships. I know what my oil temp should be related to the gauge reading, and can react accordingly when it goes outside my comfort zone. I will say that it is my most-used gauge, next to tach and speedo, and I wouldn't want to be without it.

 

Don't buy one. That will save you money. I have never had a temp gauge on the 3 Harley's I have owned. Never had a problem with overheating oil temp. Sure it may be peace of mind, but for me piece of minds means not having to worry about what the temp should be every time I look at the thing. Again my

 

Thanks for all the input i will put one in eventually but other things need to come first.

 

Do you remove your dip stick first? How does it tell the oil temperature?

 

Oil temp gauge is nothing more than a sanity check. I got this one for $45 bucks on ebay and it works great!

http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugede...id=3578&sid=61

See pictures, fits just fine, the second pic shows the slight gap which is really not noticeable when sitting on the bike. This one comes with every you need but the wire which is 50 cents at home depot. Don't waste your money on a $140 gauge, that's a lot of beer! Go with the beer, ESB should be coming out in two weeks!!!!

 

How long does it take you to get off that bike?

 

I have this too and really like it. I think it's got less range, but hence more accuracy that the HD. Mine sits right at 200'F with the stage 1 and Jag oil cooler.