I was reading in a forum that the lowers help channel air to the engine and should be left on.I've taken mine off and was wondering if this is true.Has anybody noticed any difference with them on or off?I'm getting pinging now and wonder if this is part of the reason.

 

I run with the lowers off and have not noticed any difference in engine oil temp.

 

I have always run with lowers on. They provide protection for my lower legs.

 

Lowers on or off should have nothing to do with pinging.

 

I always thought that if a engine is running hotter it was more inclined to ping so if the lowers keep the engine cooler than it would reduce the chances of pinging.

 

Not all touring bikes come with lowers so I don't think it matters. I took mine off yesterday so my legs can get all the air they can in this 90plus degree bull ****. 2 7/16 nuts and torx on the bottom and there off, 10 minutes. When Sept gets here they will go back on just as fast.

 

I like the looks of the lowers so I left mine on and just took the vent doors completely off.

It seems cooler but having said that I'm somewhat suggestible. I do know that when the dealer closed the doors at the 1K service it was much hotter until I figured out what had happened and opened them back up.

FWIW there's a good bit of difference between all the way open and completely off the lowers.

 

I took mine off. Cooler riding for me. Temps here in the midwest over 90, last 21 days. (9 of them over 100). I don't notice any increase in engine heat.

 

My TG has lowers, I like the looks of them. I also ride a Road King Classic, no lowers. It is MUCH cooler to ride without lowers. Just my 2 cents.

 

Took my lowers off the first summer I owned the bike, just never put them back on. Ditto my E-Glide before the trike. Put wife's back on in the winter. It was 108 here last week, good thing I was in Arizona.... where it was 116!!