Let me start by telling you this this is my first Harley. Most of my other bikes have been liquid cooled, and I didn't have to worry about over heating. My only other bike that was air cooled was a Honda CB750, and I cooked her good once on a hot day, warped my piston rings and was blowing smoke. I don't want this to happen to my Harley.

I have an oil temp gauge, and today while out in 90 + temps, my gauge was reading 230+ and one time in traffic it read as high 260. No pinging or smoke or anything but I was worrying about over heating. At what point should you pull over and shut her down to prevent any damage?

 

Tough to say. I've seen 230 a few times stuck in traffic on a hot day. If I was rolling down the freeway and I got to 230 I would probably still be ok. 260 would have me puckering.

An oil cooler is a smart investment on the twin cams regardless of engine modifications. My Jagg 10 row works really well.

Zach

 

260+ for a lot of bikes in 90+ weather and heavy traffic is a normal temp, nothing I would even consider worrying about. I have had mine in 100 degree weather and backed up traffic at around 280+, so I really don't get concerned until into the 290 area, but I am sure as with many other topics most of us have out own opinions and concerns.

Enjoy the bike, and if worried do the couple of little things (that you are already well aware of) to help with the heat. I have not even added any cooling devices, and it's hot here a lot, although one day I may, just not yet.

Have a wonderful day.

 

After 90,000 miles on my bike here in NC. ( Last summer we had 90 days of 90 degrees or more, and I commute everyday,) I have concluded that I've never had an oil related failure becausr I've never owned an oil temp guage....

Seriously, it would be damned tough to overheat your bike, traffic jams or not.

 

According to HD anything under 300* is ok. 230* is normal.

 

I was out in this crazy heat today also, first ride of season on the Harley. Oil temp got a little higher than 230 which is operating temp anyways. No worries. Last year stuck in GSP traffic the temps got up to just about 300, again, no worries. These bikes are designed to run hot and can handle the heat.

 

That's good to know, makes me feel more at ease. I asked a service tech this question and he had no clue. Where did you source this info?

Looks like all who replied have the same thoughts. Thanks everyone.

 

Have seen often up to 315 in 100+ temp in city traffic on friend of mine's 03 UC with 73K, using Mobil I 15W50 auto oil, but still runs better then most of our bikes.I have oil cooler and use Mobil I V twin 20w50 oil never gets over 240.

 

while Harley says there oil is good for 300+ degrees...I do not believe the seals used in their motors can handle that level of heat.

 

I used to have a built up 95" motor that ran 260* all the time in the heat. I had 75,000 miles on it when it was totaled. it was still running great.