Heat off engine

[Tinner]

Hi guys I’m new to riding a trike. I have a 2018 triglide everything stock except v.h. Slip ons. I rode the trike yesterday For about 39 miles with outdoor temperatures about 90 degrees. I was wearing shorts and after about 15 miles it was extremely warm on my legs. I normally don’t wear shorts but have before on my prior bike Ultra CVO 110 air cooled. I guess I thought the water cooled would be a lot cooler than air cooled but it didn’t seem to be. Checked coolant and it looked good is there something else I need to do or is this normal for the M8

 

[Jack Klarich]

Hi Mike, start reading here

http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/why-how-to-cool-down-the-twin-cam-engine-part-i-dk-cl-tc-dn-1.htm

 

[Fearless]

Congratulations on the new ride

Well they are warm heat management is key to loving the trike. Tank lifts, air deflectors, a good tuner of your choice. Also fans of your liking are also highly recommended. This journey is a great opportunity to get to know the trike and make it yours. Please feel free to ask questions they are not an issue here and could save you a lot of money. :good:Ride safe Fred

 

[Gorilla]

Hi guys I’m new to riding a trike. I have a 2018 triglide everything stock except v.h. Slip ons. I rode the trike yesterday For about 39 miles with outdoor temperatures about 90 degrees. I was wearing shorts and after about 15 miles it was extremely warm on my legs. I normally don’t wear shorts but have before on my prior bike Ultra CVO 110 air cooled. I guess I thought the water cooled would be a lot cooler than air cooled but it didn’t seem to be. Checked coolant and it looked good is there something else I need to do or is this normal for the M8

hi mike the first thing is the trike is not fully water cooled. only the area around the valves spark plugs has coolent running though the heads. in fact you can ride the trike to the dealer if the water pump goes out. most of the actual cooling is from air movement and oil running through the motor. those are the areas to address if you wish the trike to run cooler. and even then i do not feel it will be cool enough to do an extended ride in shorts.

 

[Tinner]

Thanks for info I guess I was expecting to much from the water cooled. I know the guy who owned the 110 before installed true dual headers to get rid of the cat and said it helped with the heat. Maybe I should look at this or the tank lift kit. I know the tank sets lower on the engine than my previous bike I could get my hand under the tank to clean and there isn’t any room at all between the tank and engine on the trike. Thanks again for the reply’s

 

[hogcowboy]

I wear my chaps when I wear shorts. I even wear my very high top Gasolina boots. It might look dorky but it works. I really don't give a rats what the elite might think. I stay much cooler than shorts alone just because of the heat that comes off my Indian. If I want even more I can unzip them partially since they zip on the outside rather than the crotch side. Matter of fact I do unzip them when just walking around because like in yesterdays 96º temps, leather can get a little hot but back on the bike I'm nice and cool again. But yeah, it might look dorky. I can handle it. But to be honest, not one single person has said a thing to me so it might just be me feeling it looks dorky. I've always been harder on myself than others are. And I ride with some very opinionated guys and gals. Was with 6 yesterday and not a word. Maybe I was the hot topic after I left, don't know. Anyway, it works.

 

[nucseal]

Thanks for info I guess I was expecting to much from the water cooled. I know the guy who owned the 110 before installed true dual headers to get rid of the cat and said it helped with the heat. Maybe I should look at this or the tank lift kit. I know the tank sets lower on the engine than my previous bike I could get my hand under the tank to clean and there isn’t any room at all between the tank and engine on the trike. Thanks again for the reply’s

Before you look at the True Duels, Look at Fuelmoto Ceramic headers for your year. I changed out my True Duals to ceramic. Reduced heat significantly. Since you can't put a new tuner on your trike because of warranty your out of luck in that area. You can raise your tank and put on cool wings from DK customs, this will help with some of the heat. Something else you may look at is add JAG oil cooler and oil filter relocation kit. This has helped in lower engine temp. AGAIN, I don't know how that would affect your warranty.

May want to look at these Kelvar shin chaps for the heat. They are heat resistant and do work!

https://www.coloradochaps.com/motorcycle_chaps.html

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Rode my 17 a little over 200 miles yesterday in the upper 80's,and it is stock except for slipons and i told my wife this without a doubt the hottest bike i have ever owned.Will look into a ceramic header this winter along with the tank lift.

 

[rhino 2]

Rode my 17 a little over 200 miles yesterday in the upper 80's,and it is stock except for slipons and i told my wife this without a doubt the hottest bike i have ever owned.Will look into a ceramic header this winter along with the tank lift.

I would not worry about it they don’t get hot in the winter seems like they Only get hot in the summer ..

 

[MDF48]

Cooling it off.

I purchased my 2016 TGU the last day of February 2016. I started in April with adding accessories. The first items I purchased and installed were, Fuelmoto Ceramic head pipe, slip on exhaust and installed my Power Vision wide band target tune setup that I took off my 2007 Road Glide when I bought the trike. Shortly after that I added the tank lift, deflector wings, Wards FCS fans and the oil filter relocation and cooler setup from DK Custom.

Now I have the 103 TC not the 110 M8 like you. BUT, the ceramic header and exhaust alone made a big difference in the heat I felt riding in Alabama in the summer. The oil cooler, tank lift, deflectors and oil cooler just made it that much better. One thing I do that many don't, is I keep EITMS activated on my trike.

Some people will not believe this, but in the summer months when I pull up at a red light and the EITMS kicks on, my engine temps reading from my Power Vision gauges will actually drop 10-15 degrees unless it is a VERY long light or traffic can't move for some other reason.

Now the heat that is hitting the right rear fender will start to be felt when stopped because it doesn't have anywhere to go and the fender deflects it up toward your right leg and thigh. However, it is not near as bad as it was before the other mods. However, when it is hot (90 on up) in the deep South with high humidity, it is not a lot of fun riding unless you can keep moving.

 

[trikermutha]

Ceramic Headers will not help much..

 

[rhino 2]

Heat is relative........In the winter my Wife is cold at 65º.[Turn on the heat]......In the summer she is hot at 65º [Turn on the air conditioner]............

 

[MDF48]

Probably

Ceramic Headers will not help much..

Well obviously the big heat advantage was from having no cat in it. I wasn't implying the big reduction was from the ceramic coating.

 

[nucseal]

Ceramic Headers will not help much..

Why would you say that? I just want to know your thinking, When it well know that ceramic decrease heat. Plus, Fuelmoto headers have ceramic on inside as well as outside and don't have the cat. It has helped on my 16 Tri Glide, significantly.

Although, there is engine heat but the most heat is coming from the headers to the right leg.

 

[trikermutha]

Why would you say that? I just want to know your thinking, When it well know that ceramic decrease heat. Plus, Fuelmoto headers have ceramic on inside as well as outside and don't have the cat. It has helped on my 16 Tri Glide, significantly.

Although, there is engine heat but the most heat is coming from the headers to the right leg.

Had Cat delete, ceramic coat the pipe. Had enough the heat would roast my right leg .. It didn't help my issue at all. Well it worked for you that's all that matters

Got Tired of throwing money into a pit that never gets resolved. Bring back the EVO.

 

[DK Custom Products]

I purchased my 2016 TGU the last day of February 2016. I started in April with adding accessories. The first items I purchased and installed were, Fuelmoto Ceramic head pipe, slip on exhaust and installed my Power Vision wide band target tune setup that I took off my 2007 Road Glide when I bought the trike. Shortly after that I added the tank lift, deflector wings, Wards FCS fans and the oil filter relocation and cooler setup from DK Custom.

Now I have the 103 TC not the 110 M8 like you. BUT, the ceramic header and exhaust alone made a big difference in the heat I felt riding in Alabama in the summer. The oil cooler, tank lift, deflectors and oil cooler just made it that much better. One thing I do that many don't, is I keep EITMS activated on my trike.

Some people will not believe this, but in the summer months when I pull up at a red light and the EITMS kicks on, my engine temps reading from my Power Vision gauges will actually drop 10-15 degrees unless it is a VERY long light or traffic can't move for some other reason.

Now the heat that is hitting the right rear fender will start to be felt when stopped because it doesn't have anywhere to go and the fender deflects it up toward your right leg and thigh. However, it is not near as bad as it was before the other mods. However, when it is hot (90 on up) in the deep South with high humidity, it is not a lot of fun riding unless you can keep moving.

Yes, this is normal. When riding down the road, even though it is getting air moving across the engine, the engine is generating MUCH more heat at RPM and LOAD, so it will run hotter than at an idle or at low speed/low load cruising.

Regarding the OP and water cooling...here's a video showing how and why the "water-cooled" or Twin-Cooled trikes run even hotter than the air cooled.



Kevin

 

[nucseal]

Had Cat delete, ceramic coat the pipe. Had enough the heat would roast my right leg .. It didn't help my issue at all. Well it worked for you that's all that matters

Got Tired of throwing money into a pit that never gets resolved. Bring back the EVO.

Thanks just wanted to know for my education. I agree with the EVO. Before this Triglide I had 06 Goldwing Hannigan, no heat problems. I got a wild hair, while in Sturgis and bought this 16 Tri Glide. But like you I have way to much money wrapped up to go back.

 

[trikermutha]

Thanks just wanted to know for my education. I agree with the EVO. Before this Triglide I had 06 Goldwing Hannigan, no heat problems. I got a wild hair, while in Sturgis and bought this 16 Tri Glide. But like you I have way to much money wrapped up to go back.

I got out and went to a Spyder. Love the dam thing..LOL. I hear ya on the money but got so pissed with part issues and this discussion I got out.

But I still have my 96 Ultra with DFT conversion that's been stored for many years now. Should get that running again. Got a 124 CI on that one..

If Harley would straighten out some things , I may go back but dont see that either.

 

[MDF48]

EITMS.

Kevin Quote

"Yes, this is normal. When riding down the road, even though it is getting air moving across the engine, the engine is generating MUCH more heat at RPM and LOAD, so it will run hotter than at an idle or at low speed/low load cruising.

Yes, that is obviously true about the engine load and heat. However, it has been my experience that with the EITMS enabled on my trike it cools faster and lower than it does with the EITMS off.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

On my 02 Road King i could ride in shorts( i don't) but the heat is minimal compared to my M8 trike.But i will do some things to help cool it down.

 

[ROAD DOG]

I got out and went to a Spyder. Love the dam thing..LOL. I hear ya on the money but got so pissed with part issues and this discussion I got out.

But I still have my 96 Ultra with DFT conversion that's been stored for many years now. Should get that running again. Got a 124 CI on that one..

If Harley would straighten out some things , I may go back but dont see that either.

I agree traded my 08 Goldwing for a 2020 tri glide money pit it is endless what you don't get , shit raw aluminum wheels that look like crap in two months, no power , radio u cant here at 50 mph, seat that sucks after 100 miles , after 10,000 miles the motor sounds like freakin bomb, there new shit shocks that you can not adjust to anybody's licke'n the list goes on and on !!!!! Most of us dumb ass's will buy another one !!! there's nobody on hear that can argue any of this ??? LETS HEAR IT

 

[nucseal]

I agree traded my 08 Goldwing for a 2020 tri glide money pit it is endless what you don't get , shit raw aluminum wheels that look like crap in two months, no power , radio u cant here at 50 mph, seat that sucks after 100 miles , after 10,000 miles the motor sounds like freakin bomb, there new shit shocks that you can not adjust to anybody's licke'n the list goes on and on !!!!! Most of us dumb ass's will buy another one !!! there's nobody on hear that can argue any of this ??? LETS HEAR IT

I agree. Traded my 06 Goldwing Hannigan for 16 Tri Glide and regretted every day since. But like I said before to much money in this one to go back. Plus the Wife would smother me in my sleep!

 

[Tinner]

Thanks everyone for all the responses. Sounds like there are a lot of options but most are pretty pricey. I think I might raise the tank and tough it out on the heat. Thanks again

 

[Fearless]

Thanks everyone for all the responses. Sounds like there are a lot of options but most are pretty pricey. I think I might raise the tank and tough it out on the heat. Thanks again

If you raise the tank get the air deflectors as well. I have them and they are worth having cooler motor and less air in the face.

 

[brianl]

I agree traded my 08 Goldwing for a 2020 tri glide money pit it is endless what you don't get , shit raw aluminum wheels that look like crap in two months, no power , radio u cant here at 50 mph, seat that sucks after 100 miles , after 10,000 miles the motor sounds like freakin bomb, there new shit shocks that you can not adjust to anybody's licke'n the list goes on and on !!!!! Most of us dumb ass's will buy another one !!! there's nobody on hear that can argue any of this ??? LETS HEAR IT

Hi Dan. Sorry to hear you traded your wing. I really liked the looks of that bike with the oversized front tire. Say hi to Debbie for us.

 

[ShapeShifter]

Thanks everyone for all the responses. Sounds like there are a lot of options but most are pretty pricey. I think I might raise the tank and tough it out on the heat. Thanks again

Another price saving option is to check DK Custom's Scratch & Dent Specials. You might be able to save enough to buy the extra items you want, if they're listed there.

 

[DK Custom Products]

I agree traded my 08 Goldwing for a 2020 tri glide money pit it is endless what you don't get , shit raw aluminum wheels that look like crap in two months, no power , radio u cant here at 50 mph, seat that sucks after 100 miles , after 10,000 miles the motor sounds like freakin bomb, there new shit shocks that you can not adjust to anybody's licke'n the list goes on and on !!!!! Most of us dumb ass's will buy another one !!! there's nobody on hear that can argue any of this ??? LETS HEAR IT

It has been a long time since I've owned a non-Harley motorcycle.

I've never owned a motorcycle, Harley or not, that I have not done mods to.

However, since 2007 especially, I've had to do mods to the Harley's that are "needed" to make it "right". I do not know if that is the case for non-Harley's or not. But HD has two, no, three forces that have been driving them to do things that require intervention:

EPA requirements

The culture of replace instead of repair

Owners not riding many miles

This has resulted in HD's being made a bit "cheaper" and in them running too hot for their own good. The low mileage syndrome makes HD design them for those people, which does make for a variety of issues for the few that ride a lot of miles.

Since, for a variety of reasons, Harley is mine and Mary's choice of bike/trike, I accept that there are things that need to be done to a new bike to get it to where I want it. These mods fall into the following categories:

Comfort/handling

Safety

Performance/Reliability

I think on pretty much any bike brand I would need to make comfort mods...handlebars, suspension, pegs, etc.

On safety, for me, additional lights would be added to any brand bike

Performance/Reliability is where HD (especially trikes) need the most help, probably more than other brands. I accept that as part of the "acquisition" price.

Kevin

 

[ROAD DOG]

It has been a long time since I've owned a non-Harley motorcycle.

I've never owned a motorcycle, Harley or not, that I have not done mods to.

However, since 2007 especially, I've had to do mods to the Harley's that are "needed" to make it "right". I do not know if that is the case for non-Harley's or not. But HD has two, no, three forces that have been driving them to do things that require intervention:



EPA requirements

The culture of replace instead of repair

Owners not riding many miles

This has resulted in HD's being made a bit "cheaper" and in them running too hot for their own good. The low mileage syndrome makes HD design them for those people, which does make for a variety of issues for the few that ride a lot of miles.

Since, for a variety of reasons, Harley is mine and Mary's choice of bike/trike, I accept that there are things that need to be done to a new bike to get it to where I want it. These mods fall into the following categories:

Comfort/handling

Safety

Performance/Reliability

I think on pretty much any bike brand I would need to make comfort mods...handlebars, suspension, pegs, etc.

On safety, for me, additional lights would be added to any brand bike

Performance/Reliability is where HD (especially trikes) need the most help, probably more than other brands. I accept that as part of the "acquisition" price.

Kevin

The first Harley I owned was in 1970 it was a Worchester mass. police 1967 servi car so I have owned a few at 13 years old we beat the crap out of that thing on the dirt roads , I have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on these P.O.S. What else in the world can you buy that they give you a 900 page parts & accessory catalog ? That's like hay sucker want power $6000. Radio you can hear $3000. A seat that don't hurt $800. wheels that will not corrode $2500. oh want some chrome $5000. HOW ABOUT SHOCKS $1000. Ya that makes it your own !!! Not bad for $50000. bad lifters, bad compensators ,bad oil pumps , bad suspension , when I bought my honda my wife would not ride on it after awhile she did the new tri she has not , says it still rides like that old rigid frame servi car !! HA HA HA

 

[hogcowboy]

Performance/Reliability is where HD (especially trikes) need the most help, probably more than other brands. I accept that as part of the "acquisition" price.

Kevin

I even had to do that to my Indian and it's still a bike, when the EPA got wind of certain conditions that made the bike perform quite well. They ruined my bike and once I got it tuned back to nearly what it was I've not allowed them to touch it again with their so called "performance" recalls that they snookered us with before.