Looking for advice

[Traveler]

I have had my 2011 Tri Glide for a couple of months now. 5k+ miles.

I love the way it handles and rides, have done a few comfort mods and some heat mods.

BUT, I am still having a serious heat problem.

Have removed the cat.
Have Rush Slip ons
Stock air filter
VIED
The above is quite a bit more comfortable for the passenger now.

However, I just replaced the air temp gauge with an oil temp gauge about 1200 miles ago. I am shocked how hot the oil is running.

Also the EITMS kicks in pretty much every time I stop after 20 minutes or more of riding.

It climbs pretty quickly to 230* and then within 30-45 minutes of interstate riding it will get up to 290*. If I stay at 60 MPH or below it won't go above 290*, but if I am going 70 mph or more it will climb to 310.

Around 260-290 it is hot enough that it also starts feeling sluggish on acceleration or hills. So no matter what anybody says about "normal operating temps", the engine is not liking being that hot.

I was hoping to avoid having to get a tuner, but looks like I will. Also was hoping the stock oil cooler would be sufficient, but looks like that will have to go also.

So it ain't a pretty picture, but am going to have to get those temps down before the big trip in 3 weeks. (plan is to head out west, and got to be able to cruise at 70+ mph without heat issues)

Am thinking to get the TTS
Am not sure if I should get the Jagg fan assisted or the Ultra Cooler
Not sure what to do about the air cleaner, or if even changing that will make an appreciable difference.

Don't really have the $ or desire to switch out the cams.

Gas mileage is of some concern, mostly because of the limited range. Have gotten as high as 35 mpg, but am averaging between 28-30 mpg (heavy right wrist).

Any and all input/advice is much appreciated!

 

[eagle1]

how noisy is the jag assist fan?

 

[Gorilla]

I have had my 2011 Tri Glide for a couple of months now. 5k+ miles.

I love the way it handles and rides, have done a few comfort mods and some heat mods.

BUT, I am still having a serious heat problem.

Have removed the cat.
Have Rush Slip ons
Stock air filter
VIED
The above is quite a bit more comfortable for the passenger now.

However, I just replaced the air temp gauge with an oil temp gauge about 1200 miles ago. I am shocked how hot the oil is running.

Also the EITMS kicks in pretty much every time I stop after 20 minutes or more of riding.

It climbs pretty quickly to 230* and then within 30-45 minutes of interstate riding it will get up to 290*. If I stay at 60 MPH or below it won't go above 290*, but if I am going 70 mph or more it will climb to 310.

Around 260-290 it is hot enough that it also starts feeling sluggish on acceleration or hills. So no matter what anybody says about "normal operating temps", the engine is not liking being that hot.

I was hoping to avoid having to get a tuner, but looks like I will. Also was hoping the stock oil cooler would be sufficient, but looks like that will have to go also.

So it ain't a pretty picture, but am going to have to get those temps down before the big trip in 3 weeks. (plan is to head out west, and got to be able to cruise at 70+ mph without heat issues)

Am thinking to get the TTS
Am not sure if I should get the Jagg fan assisted or the Ultra Cooler
Not sure what to do about the air cleaner, or if even changing that will make an appreciable difference.

Don't really have the $ or desire to switch out the cams.

Gas mileage is of some concern, mostly because of the limited range. Have gotten as high as 35 mpg, but am averaging between 28-30 mpg (heavy right wrist).

Any and all input/advice is much appreciated!

Traveler, A tuner is necessary. YTou have leaned the mixture out by doing all the stuff you have done and not did the last step. You NEED the tuner to richen the mixture to cool the bike down. You need it now because you maybe hurting your ride running it that lean. I believe you have gone beyond what the narrow band O2's and the CPU can compensate for.

 

[Hawk05]

It's an air cooled engine with one piston behind the other. What did you expect?

 

[1550vt]

Unfortunately......the heat comes with the package and you do need to get it to a good tuner. Isn't it great to learn you have to spend 2-3 grand on a new trike to make it rideable.

 

[RickDeVon]

Jamie at FuelMoto is the answer....

 

[Traveler]

It's an air cooled engine with one piston behind the other. What did you expect?

No disrespect Hawk, but this is not my first HD V-Twin.

I expected it to run cooler. Not as cool as my previous and current EVO's, not even as cool as my previous carbed TC88.

But certainly close to what my EFI TC96 ran with the cat still in it.

I have over 20k on my sporty with X14IED, cycle shack exhaust and a 6 row Jagg oil cooler. Even running it hard (80 mph, 2 up, all day long in 100* temps) the oil temp never goes over 250...easier riding it stays around 220-230.

 

[msocko3]

I agree a tune is in order, those oil temps are way to warm. I could see 250 - 260 caught in heavy traffic but 290 - 310 is way to warm.

 

[greyfang]

I believe a stage one air cleaner and a tuner will make a very noticeable difference for you, it sure did on mine.

 

[eagle1]

a S & S cam will richen up the fuel mixture. i did this and the exh. smokes a bit on
start-up. and the bike is really a different ride with the cans. also you have to watch the stock cam shoe for wear. i switched mine at 11k, and the shoe was making a imprint
into the block.i do 95% freeway ,and rarely take it into town. no hot-rodding, but i don't baby it. i put a 10 row andrew oil cooler in the left crash-bar. & used NAPA
high pressure hose and PEX clamps on the oil cooler male fittings after butter lubing them with automotive sealant. just a thought. enjoy the ride. lb

 

[Teal]

i once had a super glide - put a oil cooler on it and could run 87 octane in the hottest traffic.,,, the shop said no body puts a cooler on a harley.

 

[IndyGuy]

Am I to understand from this thread that I paid $30+K for a motorcycle that has an engine that will get too hot unless I ride it really slow or invest more money? I need to start reading these forums before making a purchase. Just wondering....

 

[TaylorMcStrat]

Am I to understand from this thread that I paid $30+K for a motorcycle that has an engine that will get too hot unless I ride it really slow or invest more money? I need to start reading these forums before making a purchase. Just wondering....

Well, it seems like the way with the twisted relationship between the MoCo and the EPA. I have heard some who don't notice the heat, but we decided to have the performance mods done before taking delivery. I ordered the Kuryakyn Perfect Storm kit with true dual head pipes, Crusher mufflers, a new air cleaner, and the TTS tune to run a richer mixture. Near $2K with installation. I hope this set-up helps. It gets mighty warm here in NC.

 

[1550vt]

IndyGuy......probably.

 

[JimMelissa]

Interesting talk love it. I am looking to buy a new Tri Glide soon, and will be pulling trailer. So what modes and add on's are sufficient?

 

[msocko3]

aS & S cam will richen up the fuel mixture. i did this and the exh. smokes a bit on
start-up. and the bike is really a different ride with the cans. also you have to watch the stock cam shoe for wear. i switched mine at 11k, and the shoe was making a imprint
into the block.i do 95% freeway ,and rearly take it into town. no hot-rodding, but i don't baby it. i put a 10 row andrew oil cooler in the left crash-bar. & used NAPA
high pressure hose and PEX clamps on the oil cooler male fittings after butter lubing them with automotive sealant. just a thought. enjoy the ride. lb

A cam by it self can't richen the AFR, installing a performance cam without using a tuning device will lean out the AFR.

 

[msocko3]

Interesting talk love it. I am looking to but a new Tri Glide soon, and will be pulling trailer. So what modes and add on's are sufficient?

Since your buying a new one you will be ahead of the game because 2011 and up have a better gearing, however I wouldn't get wild with trailer weight. My 2010 has the same gearing as the 2011 and up along with Woods TW555 cams, Fuelmoto Jackpot head pipe, SE Ventilator air cleaner and tuned with a TTS. Riding 2 up and pulling my Aluma MCT which I would guess weighes 300 lbs loaded I found some hills I would have to down shift on from 6th to 5th at 75 mph. A minimum I would recomend a good exhaust, better air cleaner and a tune using a tuning device of your choice.

 

[eagle1]

you might try removeing the lowers. they only have 3 adal clamps that holds them to the crash bars; , and are easy to remone. on HD TALKING guys that race bikes and are builders say the lowers restrict a large amount of air-flow to the engine. so while its still hot weather you might try removeing them and see how much a difference in the oil-temp it makes. also ensure the air defectors are open on the front fairing.just a idea you may have already tryed.

 

[eagle1]

solid cam kit,remove lowers, 10 row andwers oil cooler, lift kit. this really helped my '09 tri-glide. also rmove the CAT. there are several ways to do this on this site, and see
HD TALKING.com just a few thoughts.

 

[JohnC]

When I had my 2006 Ultra-Classic, I wanted to improve cooling but didn't want to remove the lowers. So what I did was dissasemble them, remove the "doors", reassemble them and put them back on the bike. It improved cooling a bit, looked good, and I was still able to ride in cold / wet weather with adequate protection for my legs.

 

[grapenuts]

Interesting talk love it. I am looking to buy a new Tri Glide soon, and will be pulling trailer. So what modes and add on's are sufficient?

At a minimum, ditch the cat converter and richen the mixture. The EPA has seriously hamstrung this bike. I have a SE air cleaner, no cat, Vance & Hines mufflers with quiet inserts and a reprogrammed ECM (also SE, I think).

I pull a Bushtec trailer and with my 105lb wife on the back can cruise effortlessly even w/ the '09 gearing. A cam change is not necessary but adds power if you want more.

Go buy one and enjoy it; it's a quality piece.

 

[1550vt]

After reading through all these threads.....why would you want one....seriously. No, I am not a Harley basher and I sure as he!! have paid the Harley tax over the past 25-years and 15-20 various models and I ride one now. Maybe by 2013, or possibly 2014 could be a good year. This is the way the MOCO does things....they introduce an experimental model first and then let John Q. Public work the kinks out for them. This usually takes around 4-5 years....then they start all over again. They have gone about as far as they can go with gadgetry on the air-cooled V-Twin to try and get it past the EPA. Don't purchase the first-year water-cooled model....that will likely be the next start-all-over point.

 

[TaylorMcStrat]

I would take a slightly different tack. I want one because they are the only large-scale manufacturer with a trike. Along with a funky machine, I also get plugged into the whole Harley/HOG network, and can get service darn near anywhere.

I know it's a foolish expense, but my wife and I have worked very hard for our money over the years, and now we feel like pi$$ing some of it away before we get too old to enjoy it. Hell, the government takes nearly 50% of it away from us every year, and I told the kids I wasn't working to store up an inheritance for them.

I love the history, the sound, and the vibe of the Harley. The MoCo isn't stupid. They make a metric crap ton of money selling doodads, add-ons, and bling. There is also a robust after-market industry from Kuryakyn to Cap'n Itch. Everybody's making a buck off our little hobby. In a few more years, the Harley air-cooled V-twin will be a collector's item, and a thing of the past.

As a former Honda owner ('80 CX-500, and 60's CB-100) I never had a service issue with my Hondas . In fact, I have two Honda cager vehicles in my garage as I type this. But they are so - well - sterile. I don't care if my cars are boring, but not my trike. I don't want to whisk around silently on a Goldwing while hooked up to every high-tech device available.

I want to dress up like a pirate, make a bunch of noise, get bugs in my teeth, and cruise the American highway on a classic before I die. I want kids on street corners to point at my bike. I want other guys my age to ask about it and get jealous, while their wives are staring daggers at them. I want my kids to shake their heads and ask what's gotten into us. I want the neighbors to hear us leave the garage. I want people at gas stations to ask about the trike. I want to sit around and tell stories about it when I'm old, and too feeble to ride anymore. I want the memories. That's all I will take to my grave. For some reason, a BMW, Honda, or Yamaha just doesn't get me there. I am not sure why.

Taylor

 

[1550vt]

Fair enough....go for it.

 

[trikermutha]

Interesting talk love it. I am looking to buy a new Tri Glide soon, and will be pulling trailer. So what modes and add on's are sufficient?

all I have is the nighrider XIED and stage 1 air cleaner and pull my escapade trailer with no problems.

 

[Loner]

First comment: I recommend that you pull the lower fairings off the crash bar and properly dispose of them (I'll send you my shipping address).

Second comment: When I was first getting into motorcycles, and after my required trainer bike (Honda 90), my dad told me that if I was going to get any more motorcycles there is only one brand - HD (guess what he rode and raced when he was younger). And that's pretty much what I've tried to stick with even though he's been gone for 15 years. But I find my attitude now to be less of 'hear me coming and point from the street corners' and more of 'blend in, be silent, go dependably and comfortably for hundreds of miles in a day'. But try as I might every time I look at a GW my dad seems to have his hand on my shoulder - and he still has a very strong grip (former wrestler), so I'll probably go somewhat like my good friend Bob Reeves, sitting on my HD (and it will still be shaking, hot as heck, and rattling).

Sorry, but no useful info in this post - I just needed some firends to vent my humor with. What was the question?

 

[Hawk05]

I would take a slightly different tack. I want one because they are the only large-scale manufacturer with a trike. Along with a funky machine, I also get plugged into the whole Harley/HOG network, and can get service darn near anywhere.

I know it's a foolish expense, but my wife and I have worked very hard for our money over the years, and now we feel like pi$$ing some of it away before we get too old to enjoy it. Hell, the government takes nearly 50% of it away from us every year, and I told the kids I wasn't working to store up an inheritance for them.

I love the history, the sound, and the vibe of the Harley. The MoCo isn't stupid. They make a metric crap ton of money selling doodads, add-ons, and bling. There is also a robust after-market industry from Kuryakyn to Cap'n Itch. Everybody's making a buck off our little hobby. In a few more years, the Harley air-cooled V-twin will be a collector's item, and a thing of the past.

As a former Honda owner ('80 CX-500, and 60's CB-100) I never had a service issue with my Hondas . In fact, I have two Honda cager vehicles in my garage as I type this. But they are so - well - sterile. I don't care if my cars are boring, but not my trike. I don't want to whisk around silently on a Goldwing while hooked up to every high-tech device available.

I want to dress up like a pirate, make a bunch of noise, get bugs in my teeth, and cruise the American highway on a classic before I die. I want kids on street corners to point at my bike. I want other guys my age to ask about it and get jealous, while their wives are staring daggers at them. I want my kids to shake their heads and ask what's gotten into us. I want the neighbors to hear us leave the garage. I want people at gas stations to ask about the trike. I want to sit around and tell stories about it when I'm old, and too feeble to ride anymore. I want the memories. That's all I will take to my grave. For some reason, a BMW, Honda, or Yamaha just doesn't get me there. I am not sure why.

Taylor

Taylor
HD- They are art on wheels. I have a masters degree in Sculpture. You don't have to justify it. Enjoy it.

 

[Greydog]

I want to dress up like a pirate, make a bunch of noise, get bugs in my teeth, and cruise the American highway on a classic before I die. I want kids on street corners to point at my bike. I want other guys my age to ask about it and get jealous, while their wives are staring daggers at them. I want my kids to shake their heads and ask what's gotten into us. I want the neighbors to hear us leave the garage. I want people at gas stations to ask about the trike. I want to sit around and tell stories about it when I'm old, and too feeble to ride anymore. I want the memories. That's all I will take to my grave. For some reason, a BMW, Honda, or Yamaha just doesn't get me there. I am not sure why.

Taylor

That about says it all Taylor....beautiful!!! I was joking with my girlfriend of 14 years and told her I was thinking about selling the trike next year. She said if I'm going to sell the Milwaukee Vibrator we will have to get married. I asked her why and she said, "so I can divorce your dumb a$$!!!" I'm 67 and she's 69......we're 20 years older than most of our riding buddies and we're having a ball!!!

 

[1550vt]

I guess we can kick our on dog around if we want to. What would we do without our noisy, rattling toaster ovens on wheels. It's our money I suppose. You got to hand it to Harley...only they can sell a product that by automobile standards, class-action suits would have put them out of business years ago and the stock is up almost 10% the last few days. I can only wish to own a company with such a product line and enormous customer loyalty. Stupid...maybe, but loyal.

 

[Hawk05]

First comment: I recommend that you pull the lower fairings off the crash bar and properly dispose of them (I'll send you my shipping address).

Second comment: When I was first getting into motorcycles, and after my required trainer bike (Honda 90), my dad told me that if I was going to get any more motorcycles there is only one brand - HD (guess what he rode and raced when he was younger). And that's pretty much what I've tried to stick with even though he's been gone for 15 years. But I find my attitude now to be less of 'hear me coming and point from the street corners' and more of 'blend in, be silent, go dependably and comfortably for hundreds of miles in a day'. But try as I might every time I look at a GW my dad seems to have his hand on my shoulder - and he still has a very strong grip (former wrestler), so I'll probably go somewhat like my good friend Bob Reeves, sitting on my HD (and it will still be shaking, hot as heck, and rattling).

Sorry, but no useful info in this post - I just needed some firends to vent my humor with. What was the question?

Loner
Saw you on Saturday Night Live and at the local Funny Bone comedy club. Good stuff. Not enough funny people around this day and age. Too many people pist off about something. Thanks for the laugh. Did I spell pist right?