I just cam back from a 5 hr ride, I live in Phx so the last 2 hrs were +90 degrees. I looked at my oil temp using the HD oil level and temp digital dip stick. The reading was 259, I would like to know is this ok. I know a lot of people run in the low 200's but I want to know if running at the 260 mark can and will do any harm to the engine.

 

The bikes always seem to run a bit better when it's cooler but that won't hurt anything.

Use synthetic and check & change frequently.

An oil cool is a good idea for your area.

 

You should be fine as long as you have syn oil in the bike. Temps like that are pretty common out your way.

 

Being its an air cooled engine one of the engine operating temperature factors is ambient temperature. A higher ambient air temp will cause the air cooled engine to run a higher temp. This is evident assuming your out on the highway running at highway speeds. Use a good synthetic oil and good filter. Since you live in Phoenix, a oil cooler will bring down the temp some, maybe 20-25degF. I have the HD cooler on my bike and it works good. Other coolers are available like in J&P Cycles.com.

 

I asked the dealer if it would be a good idea to put on a oil cooler and he told me it would be a waste of money but if I insisted thaey would be happy to sell and install one for me......

 

I put a oil cooler on mine. It lowered the temp about 20-25 degrees. Well worth the money to me, it gets kinda hot here.

 

i just installed a oilcooler and iam gald i did bike runs better and faster and of course alot cooler.

 

An oil cooler is highly recommended. HD says normal operating temp is 230 for the oil.
From what I've heard those digital dipsticks are notoriously inaccurate...

The HD oil cooler is (I believe) a 6-row cooler. Jagg makes a 10-row for about the same price, and IIRC Jagg used to make HD's coolers. I've been running the Jagg for 3 yrs and couldn't be happier. Between that & XIED's my bike runs much cooler & happier than stock.

 

I also live in Phoenix and just installed the fairing mounted oil temp gauge with the sender in the oil pan. Running down the road I'm running 200 - 220. Once in town and in stop and go traffic it's running 230 - 250. For Phoenix it hasn't even been hot yet. Not looking forward to riding when its 110+ outside.