TG Comprehensive Hot Weather Test Report
Year/Make/Model: 2009 – H-D -.FLHTCUTG - Odometer Readings - Start: 7247 Finish: 7403

Outside Air Temperature (OAT): 110 * Start: 118 * Finish <> Start Time: 12 : 30 PM – Finish Time: 03 : 37 PM

Heat Reduction Mods: Fuel Moto PC-V - Jagg 10-Row Oil Cooler – [1]Big Sky Oil Cooler Fan – [1]LeNale Cylinder Fan - SE “Ventilator” Stage 1 A/C - Vance & Hines Oval Slip-on’s - Jackpot Stainless Steel Head Pipes - Wood “Knight Prowler” TW6-6 Performance Cam – Red Line 20W60 Synthetic Oil
Note [1]:The Big Sky Oil Cooler Fan, LeNale Cylinder Fan and EITMS were all “ENABLED” during the entire test ride!

Wind: (start) from: 180 @ 11 MPH – Gusting To: 20 MPH (head/tail & right/left cross winds en-route)

Load: 170lb. Solo Rider, No Passenger; approx. 20 -30lbs. of Tools & Gear

Road Type: City Streets - 2-Lane Highways – 4- Lane Highways - Interstate Highway

Traffic: City = Moderate (stop/go) - 2-Lane = Light – 4-Lane = Light – Interstate =Moderate (some const.)

Route Terrain: Some Flat - Mostly Hilly - Approx. 6-6% Grades - Elevation Variation: 397 ft. to 3600 ft
Note [2]:Cruise Control “ON” at approx 5-10 MPH over posted speed limits approx. 70% of trip & used 6th gear approx. 60 % of trip

Route: < North on AZ95 from Desert Hills, AZ {EL.551’ – OAT = 110 * - EOT = 230 *} >to< East on I-40 Passing Chrysler & Harley-Davidson Hot Weather Proving Grounds, Yucca, AZ, {EL. 1815’ – OAT = 110* - EOT = 240 *} >to< North on US93/Beal St. from Kingman, AZ {EL.3445’ – OAT = 100 * - EOT = 235*> to< West on AZ68 Passing Kingman Summit {EL 3500’ – OAT = 98* -EOT = 230*} Passing Bullhead City, AZ {EL.696’ – OAT = 110 * - EOT = 230 *} >to< West on NV163 Passing Laughlin, NV, {EL.600’ – OAT = 110 * - EOT = 230 *} >to< South on Casino Drive >to< Southeast on Needles Hwy.> to< Needles, CA {EL. 948’ – OAT = 112 * - EOT = 235 *} > to< <East on I-40 > to > return to< Desert Hills, AZ { EL 551’–OAT =118 * - EOT =240 *}
ROUTE “AVERAGES”:
Elevation (EL.) = 1,046 Ft. MSL – Outside Air Temp (OAT) = 108.5 Degrees (*) - Engine Oil Temp (EOT) = 233.75 Degrees (*)

Max. Engine Oil Temp Reading: [3] < 240 *> - Engine Heat Discomfort; Scale of 0 to 10: [4] < “3”>

Note [3]: Stock Fairings in place with upper and lower vents open!
Note [4] -DISCLAIMER: Not only are discomfort levels very subjective but previous hot weather rides revealed that the direction and velocity of prevailing crosswinds affects the level of engine heat discomfort. My minimal discomfort on this ride may just have been a fluke and should not be regarded as being conclusive; only more hot weather rides under varied wind conditions will determine if these results will remain consistent Note [4 A] Heat Comfort Mods: Floor Board Ext.–Hwy Pegs–V-Twin Heat Deflectors–Exhaust Insulating Wrap, Vertical Portion of Rear Head Pipe
HeatReflective Thermo Barrier on Bottom of Seat - Alaskan Sheep Seat Cover – RJS V-Twin Heat Deflectors

Trip Miles: 156 - Moving Time: approx 2.5 HRS - Average Speed: 60 MPH - # of Stops: 8 Data Record Stop

Total Gallons Used: 4.937 Gallons - Miles Per Gallon: 31.59 MPG

Grade & Brand of Gas: 91 octane/10% ethanol, Chevron (Desert Hills, AZ)
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Observations: Contrary to conventional wisdom; my engine oil temps (EOT) tend to rise equally at high speeds as they do in stop and go city traffic. Granted we don’t have a lot bumper to bumper traffic around here but my experience shows that when traveling @ 75+ MPH for an extended period of time on a hot day, my EOT rises and if I slow down to about 65 MPH, my EOT drops by at 10-20 degrees. I guess what I’m trying to say is: “city driving is NOT the only environment which will cause your EOT to rise!

Upon retuning home from my hot weather test ride, I put the TG in the air to check the new Jackpot head pipes for any signs of discoloration. These pipes have approx 4,000 miles on them since being installed and there is some very slight bluing on the cross over pipe but that’s nothing like the total discoloration of the entire stock head pipes! Also after parking the bike after this long ride, the pipes did not have that loud/long heat contraction “ticking/tinging” sound that the stock head pipes made and I was able to touch them after only a short cool down; all of which suggests that these pipes are more heat efficient and do not retain heat like the stock pipes do. And yes oldmsoko; I did detail the undercarriage while my TG was in the air!

Comments: YAHOO! “I’m absolutely <ecstatic> with a Max. Engine Oil Temp of 240 * @ 118 OAT”! If I can consistently replicate these results, I’ll be “one happy camper”! I wanted a test route that would incorporate as many various real world riding conditions as possible; IMO’ this test ride is a fairly good indicator of how the above listed mods collectively reduce excessive engine heat in a hot environment! My TG performed strong throughout all gears, even when pulling 6% grades; I attribute that to the Wood TW6-6 Cam. As I previously reported, the low end torque on the Wood TW6-6 “Knight Prowler” Cam is fantastic; as a matter of fact, the TW6-6 provides a noticeable power increase throughout all of the gears. After approx 4,000 miles since installing the new cam, I am unable to detect any bad manners from this cam; it has a nice little lope at idle but definitely not bone rattling, nor will it vibrate any parts off your bike; just enough pulse to let you know it’s there. I have not experienced any bog or hesitation upon rapid acceleration nor have I experienced any detonation problems with the cam; this was a real concern of mine due to the fact that we only have 91 octane w/ethanol available in my area. If the cheap gas were a problem with this cam; I would think that it would have manifested itself during this hot weather ride and while pulling 6% grades!

Not only does the TW6-6 provide some additional performance boost but as M3 pointed out in another post; the TW6-6 over lap design may also assist in reducing the heat some.

I’m a little disappointed with my gas mileage but in all honesty, my style of driving isn’t conducive to great MPG’s so I’m probably not the best person to look at as a gauge for average gas mileage. Also, if running a MAP with a richer AFR and sacrificing some gas mileage is what it takes to make this TG run cooler…than so be it!

Conclusions: Prior to the installation of the “Jackpot Pipes & Wood TW6-6 Cam;” the other above listed mods previously collectively lowered my engine oil temp. by about 30*, from 300* to 270ish on a 110* day; therefore, I conclude that the addition of the “Jackpot Pipes & Wood TW6-6 Cam” lowered my engine oil temp. by another 230 degrees on a 118 * day! My test results are in an environment that is hotter than most TG owners routinely operate; therefore, I assume that TG owners that operate in less severe conditions can achieve better results with all of the same mods OR possibly the same results with a few less mods; i.e., oil cooler fan, parade fan & 20W60 synthetic oil; providing they don’t encounter a lot of bumper to bumper stop and go traffic.

Folks, I’m fairly certain that “WE” either licked or are extremely close to licking this excessive heat problem that Harley claims is just a figment of our imagination. I say “WE” because, had it not been for the generous, unselfish sharing of experiences, information, expertise and encouragement by many members and suppliers on this forum; I would have never been able to get this close to a solution. This forum has proven to be an invaluable tool and I’m deeply appreciative to all that constructively contribute on a regular basis! As the saying goes…”paybacks are a bitch” but I’ll try to repay by assisting wherever and whenever I can! Now pat your self’s on the back, dry your eyes; put the handkerchiefs away and pass the Champagne!

I apologize for the lengthy post but after fighting this problem for so long, I just could not refrain myself from babbling on about these results and an apparent victory!

 

Wow
thanks for the testing and posting the results
as a new TG owner I sure appreciate it
knowing that I can lower the riding temps makes owning one a easier pill to swallow

thanks again

 

It's been a long ride from last August until now and you deserve to relish the moment. I won't bore everyone with my mods, the ones that keep current know I took a slightly different route. We have good gas 93 no ethanol most places here, when I do have to put 91 in I use the 108 Turbo Boost Octane additive. I also top out in the city at 240 deg. on 95 to 98 degree days. Ambient has not been quiet to the 115 mark. It also will climb towards 230-240 for long runs or lugging the engine.

I have not went with a cam yet so I still have a little performance problem riding two up and loaded in 6th gear. I weight 290 myself so I'm not sure how much I will get from a drop in. It is as comfortable to ride as my old 03 FLHT and it was a cool running bike.

I was really bent out of shape when I first got the Tri on Aug. 8th last year. I am satisfied with the Tri now for the most part, still doing a slow burn for having to reinvent the wheel at my expense.

Got a lot of help and a lot of people had some patience with an ol carb guy. If you are new to the forum and bought a 2010 Tri especially, you better do your homework. You have the experience of the Trail Blazers on this forum to fall back on. Or is that Tri Blazers, no pun intended!

 

So true Coop
We new owners own a lot to all who have gone before and figured this out....
A sweetwater for you all...

 

Dammm .. Jimer
That was some detailed report ....
118 Degrees ?
That is insane .... We have finally hit over 90 this past week for the 1st
time in 3 years for an extended period of time. It actually hit 103 at our
house and it was unbearible. 1st time ever were have been running our
AC 24 hours a day in a row ..... YUK !
I'll take a nice 75 degree day anytime over theis heat & humidity :-(
Rob .....

 

Good report, Jimer!
Do you attribute the gas mileage to the cam and low octane fuel?
I have many of the "anti-heat" mods but stock cam. In 90*+ heat my oil temp level's at about 240* w/20-50 synthetic and parade and oil cooler fans. I wonder if it will run even cooler with a different cam + the 93 octane we have back east?

 

But it's a dry heat!

 

Boom;
I think that the cheap 91 octane w/ 10 ethanol has a lot to due with my gas mileage, also I am running richer with my PC-V so that is also a factor.

If you are indicating engine oil temps of 240* on a 90* day; I am actually doing much better in engine oil temp reduction than you by indicating 240* on 118* day. I think that you and I have very similar mods so the only thing that I can attribute the difference to is that I run Red Line 20W60 synthetic oil. However; unless you consistently operate in OAT’s of plus 80*, its probably not worth the change.

Jim

 

Great info. It seems like all your hard work and dollars are paying off.

Can you tell me what you are using for the heat reflective material under the seat and where you bought it? I ordered the Alaskan Sheepskin Butt Pad and Pillion pad on Wed. but I would also like to get rid of some of the heat that comes up through the seat.

Thanks again

 

Ditto here. Since the seat bottom is uneven with ribs, I wonder how you can apply anything to it? I also have my PC V under the seat and wouldn't want anything conductive or pressing against it. There is a frame plate adjacent from the rear cylinder that could retain a lot of heat. I wonder if that is what Jim is talking about?
I still can't understand why they would put a hole in the cup of the seat. Certainly isn't a vent for cool air! Unless it's for flatulent riders!!