Looking for advice

[Traveler]

S T O P!!!

Everyone here is giving you advise to add this, take off that. If you bike is stock and running 300* temps out of the box SOMETHING IS WRONG! It should never get that hot. I live in the SoCal desert. 110* air temps are common. Running 70mph for extended times (30-45 minutes) up hill isn't uncommon, and my dash oil temp gage rarely gets above 230-240* range. My engine is stock, slip-on mufflers and stage 1 air cleaner only. Wife's 2011 Tri-glide runs at about the same temps. Before you do anything that could affect your warranty, go to your dealer and bitch a blue streak. Get it in writing on warranty claims that your bike is running way too hot.

This is exactly what I was thinking, no way it is coming from the factory like that...something is wrong. Then I read how people like you are running 230-240.

So I went to the dealer, 2 dealers, in fact, and had them document the fact that I thought it was running too hot and needed something done...both of them looked at it, one of them even called Moco and got instructions to put in an updated map, which they did. I could feel no difference in power or heat with the new map.

Both dealers said that is just the way it is..they run hot. One of them left it at that...that is just the way it is. The other said a full stage one (and they know I will never pay them to do it) is the only way to cool it down...including getting rid of the cat.

Then I come here and see what you are experiencing, but I also read what so many others are experiencing. (which is running much hotter than you, closer to what mine is running)

I have the oil cooler, TTS and Big Sucker coming. Cat is already gone, slip-ons already installed.

If it still is running hot after that...I will be taking it in and getting it resolved some other way...possibly by getting rid of it.

I love the ride, and the heat is not bothersome to me or the wife, but when it gets so hot that the engine gets very sluggish, to me this is not ride-able for my purposes. Does not matter how many times Harley says that the engine is designed for that much heat. It is only a matter of time before it grenades.

Up until the time that I was relegated to a trike for touring because of an idiot door slammer, the wife and I would do 30k+ worth of trips a year. That is what I need a trike to do without being concerned about crazy oil temps.

I hope the oil cooler and tune will get the job done. Will report back in a week or so when it is done.

Oh, and another note. I ordered and received an ultra cooler. Opened up the instructions and said, nope, not gonna do all that to install what was a surprisingly small oil cooler. Returned it and ordered the Jagg 10 row fan assist.

 

[msocko3]

S T O P!!!

Everyone here is giving you advise to add this, take off that. If you bike is stock and running 300* temps out of the box SOMETHING IS WRONG! It should never get that hot. I live in the SoCal desert. 110* air temps are common. Running 70mph for extended times (30-45 minutes) up hill isn't uncommon, and my dash oil temp gage rarely gets above 230-240* range. My engine is stock, slip-on mufflers and stage 1 air cleaner only. Wife's 2011 Tri-glide runs at about the same temps. Before you do anything that could affect your warranty, go to your dealer and bitch a blue streak. Get it in writing on warranty claims that your bike is running way too hot.

My dads 09 ran 300 degree oil temps, the dealer and the MoCo found nothing wrong with that, HD said it was operating with in design limits. When they don't have a reason for why something is happening they always seem to throw a download at it or say its operating normal.

 

[Dwight]

This may sound dumb, but have you checked the oil temp gauge to see if it's accurate? Maybe the guage is screwed up.

Dwight

 

[secondroy]

This has been a good thread for me too. What is a tuner? Also is the oil cooler installed on the crash bar so that it won't restrict the air flow to the pots.

 

[Boom]

I've gone the Stage1 route on my 2010 with PC V fuel management, installed an Ultracool oil cooler---since removed and replaced with stock cooler and Big Sky fans. After all this time and money, my oil temps have stayed at 230-240 degrees. My biggest complaint has been the loss of low-end torque/power when it has reached that max temperature. This is something I've learned to live with until I can afford a cam and tune upgrade. It sure runs sweet though when that oil temp hovers around 180-190.

 

[larrybtb]

Amen to that line of thinking my friend (hawk05) !!!! I LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Trent]

I have a hot running 2011 TG...I am gonna change the pipes, mufflers, air cleaner, and get tuner...dealer sez looking at around $2500 when finished. It is frustrating to me to spend over $30,000 and have to do this to keep from frying my bacon. They suggested I could take off the lower fairings for better air circ, but dont wanna do that. 32 grand for a bike and I have to take the fairings off to run cooler??!..Hmmmm...something aint right.

 

[TaylorMcStrat]

I believe most of this heat issue is a combination of EPA requirements and the basic design of the trike: an air-cooled fore-and-aft twin with a large bit of coach work behind the engine to impede air flow.

That said, the trikes are being sold before they even hit the dealers' floor. I am sure the Can-Ams don't have the heat issue. If you definitely don't want to deal with the heat issue with the Harley, you'll need to buy another design like the Can-Am.

 

[1550vt]

Or....throw it away and go buy my 99, or kit an older bike without all this crap on it!

Over and over and over again anybody can go to just about any forum and read this stuff....all these problems with the TG. No power, too much heat, runs hot, no rear brakes, jumps into reverse.....and on and on it goes. Yet....we still keep buying this stuff...including me. As long as Harley can keep selling this junk, we will keep right on buying it.

 

[msocko3]

Or....throw it away and go buy my 99, or kit an older bike without all this crap on it!

Over and over and over again anybody can go to just about any forum and read this stuff....all these problems with the TG. No power, too much heat, runs hot, no rear brakes, jumps into reverse.....and on and on it goes. Yet....we still keep buying this stuff...including me. As long as Harley can keep selling this junk, we will keep right on buying it.

I can remember myself making the foolish statement that I planned on keeping my Triglide 100% stock, like I said foolish. I took my 1st trip to Nashville and knew I had spoken way to soon. Thankfully I'm a pretty decent wrench and my dad let me turn the center section of his heated garage into a shop for working on bikes and trikes. Going to yank the engine out of my 06 Ultra this winter and take it to a 120 with all the trimmings.

 

[JohnP]

Maybe I'm just old or have low standards but my '11 TG (103/6speed) has all the beans I need. It runs along at 65mph in 6th, doesn't bog down and still accellerates when I screw it on a little, and will do that all day and give 36mpg doing it. It has plenty of power jumping out at a light - sure, it runs hot but what Harley twin doesn't.
I've been through five Harleys and a bunch of jap and brit bikes. I've been riding since 1957 and I like my TG just fine stock. (Like I said, I'm OLD!)
Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now but I think you young whippersnappers (!) are asking for more excitement than you need with a full blown 120.

 

[1550vt]

John....some of us whipper-snappers (I'm 63) like to use our machines as test-beds. If you have been riding since 57...I am sure you have had many a test-bed bike to work on. I think they made several improvements in the 11's and you're likely doing fine.

I know EVERY TG out there is not a dog and many folks are totally pleased with what they have. I have been kicking HD around for some 25-years myself, because of some of the stuff they put us through, but we just keep buying them. It's just something we have to do.

 

[TaylorMcStrat]

JohnP,

Great post. I'll never know how my '12 was stock, as I ordered it set-up from the dealer with new header pipes, mufflers, air cleaner and TTS map. That said, I couldn't be more pleased. I've been breaking her in during the hottest temps seen in our area in many a year.

I'm no spring chicken, but you have me beat by a decade or so.

I'm loving my TG. It can get a bit toasty while idling at a long light, but seems to run just fine, and has plenty of power - even two up.

 

[pettifogger1]

Maybe I'm just old or have low standards but my '11 TG (103/6speed) has all the beans I need. It runs along at 65mph in 6th, doesn't bog down and still accellerates when I screw it on a little, and will do that all day and give 36mpg doing it. It has plenty of power jumping out at a light - sure, it runs hot but what Harley twin doesn't.
I've been through five Harleys and a bunch of jap and brit bikes. I've been riding since 1957 and I like my TG just fine stock. (Like I said, I'm OLD!)
Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now but I think you young whippersnappers (!) are asking for more excitement than you need with a full blown 120.

Same thoughts here. Spent lots of money on my 09 FLHT. Most of which is a total waste when you go to resell. My stock 11 gets over 30 MPH and is hot, but right now the oppressive heat isn't from the bike, it's from the 110 degree heat here in the desert. Can't really tell much difference between the 11 stock and the modified 09 when sitting at a stoplight. After doing some non-scientific heat observations it seems like a lot more heat is coming from the cylinder heads than from the cat. Will wait for this winter when it cools down into the 70's to see how the bike feels, heat wise, before deciding on whether any mods are needed. Right now I'm thinking I'll just put on a Harley air cleaner and a set of Fatshotz that I have sitting out in the garage and maybe the factory download.

 

[Trent]

I am an old guy too..Just hit 57 last month...I have no power problems with my '11 TG. 3000 rpm seems to be the sweet spot in any gear and it will cruise at 70 in 6th all day... Has plenty of onions when my sweet passenger is with me too...no complaints at all concerning that. Just too dang hot on the right side. I installed hiway pegs so I could get my legs away from the heat and that makes it tolerable at least.

 

[1550vt]

It has been my experience that the MOCO will eventually fix what's broke and turn-out a refined product. You guys on the 11 and newer rides have not had many of the issues the 09 and 10's had. The first model-year of most any Harley is usually a wild experiment until we (the buying public) convince them of what's wrong with it. I think from what I hear and read, they have came a long way in fixing some of the problems. Now....the next thing they will do is drop this product line (or engine) and start all over again.

 

[eagle1]

remove the lowersfor the trip. guessin you won't like rideing in the rain, ;thus your knees need the airflow as does the engine.and if you can stand the look put a jaggs
5x8" universal oil cooler in the left crash bar area. NAPA makes a hi-pressure hose 3/8" inside diamater 250 pis rated .my oil temp on '09tri-glide 92 degree out-side -air temp
free way for 24 miles, oil temp was 175 degrees. good luck.

 

[JohnP]

Can't argue that engine heat is a big issue. When we get a warm day here in the Seattle area (anything above 75 is a hot day here!) my legs cook too! Was the same with my Road King and Fatboy. I can't imagine riding in traffic in 100 degree temps any more, although I pulled a couple of tours in Arizona and Nevada I was riding dirt bikes in the desert, chasing jackrabbits, not stuck in traffic.
Move to Seattle!
(57 ain't old, I'm 69)

 

[jimmy]

i have 1800 miles on my 2011 and its been a hot summer here in maine not like texas, but i have no heat issues when its in the 90's. we always ride 2 up and have plenty of power. the right side does get hot in traffic but so did my soaftail.it is a air cooled engine. i am perferctly happy with mine stock.

 

[jcolson]

I have a 2011tri-glide. Just got back from a 2 wk trip from South Bend,In.to Cal. & back. It was 112 going through Oklahoma & 115 in Needls,Cal. Went to Las Vegas, Co. & back home to South Bend In. I don't have an oil temp.gauge but didn't seem to get too hot.But I used almost 2qts. of oil in 4300 mi. So took it to the dealership to put rings & seals in it.The trike is not stock. Running 100hp. having 2" Pullback bars installed also. Has anyone put these bars on,& how do you like them?

 

[Gorilla]

sounds like a nice trip. But rings and seals all ready sounds like they didn't seat to start with.

 

[msocko3]

sounds like a nice trip. But rings and seals all ready sounds like they didn't seat to start with.

My thoughts exactly, the little 95" build I have in my 06 Ultra makes 104 hp and 100 ft/lb torque and has about 25,000 miles on it, never used a drop of oil since I built it in 2007. I change my oil every 5,000 miles.

 

[10rhrk]

I have a 2011tri-glide. Just got back from a 2 wk trip from South Bend,In.to Cal. & back. It was 112 going through Oklahoma & 115 in Needls,Cal. Went to Las Vegas, Co. & back home to South Bend In. I don't have an oil temp.gauge but didn't seem to get too hot.But I used almost 2qts. of oil in 4300 mi. So took it to the dealership to put rings & seals in it.The trike is not stock. Running 100hp. having 2" Pullback bars installed also. Has anyone put these bars on,& how do you like them?

I installed the 2 inch pullback bars on my wife's 2010 FLHXXX right after she bought it in May of 2010. She liked them very much! I may have to put them on the 2012 Triglide for her. She hasn't had a chance to ride it yet due to her recent surgery. Not a hard job at all!

 

[jcolson]

sounds like a nice trip. But rings and seals all ready sounds like they didn't seat to start with.

Found out yesterday,the guy that put my engine together put the oil ring expanders upside down.Nice!!!!! Huh????? They let him go sometime after he screwed up my bike for doing stupid S------ to other bikes. So here I am stuck with out a ride Labor Day weekend. Oh well, maybe I can get some work done around the house. The pullback bars aren't in yet either.I was going to install them myself, but figured why not let them do it while it's there.Could save alot doing it myself.Just have to get me a couple more remodel jobs to pay for it.Hey, Gorilla, you and yours have a nice weekend.Everybody have a nice weekend & ride save. Hey Dennis, I will be down in Anderson to install windows for a customer soon, so I will give you a call.

 

[Gorilla]

remember when you get it back break the rings in according to what the installer says. Everyone has a little different technique. Seating is very important. Have a good day yourself.

 

[iaff84]

Hey Dennis, I will be down in Anderson to install windows for a customer soon, so I will give you a call.

You do that, want to hear about your trip out west.
Dennis

 

[eagle1]

'09 t/g,s&s 510 gear cam, k&n air filter, and jaggs universal oil cooler 6"x9" in the rt. crash bar area. was running 240* on a 75* day. with oil temp. thermostat in the oil pan. today 62* windy. moved the oil temp thermostat
to the return side of the oil cooler. ras below 180* on 30 mile trip. i stopped to pay a bill (5 min) and the oil temp went to 200* . but as soon as i had airflow temp went to
160*. oil cooler internal thermostat never opened up. now i just need a 95* day.