Loud pipes save thighs!

[JGreb]

I have been really getting the itch to amp up my stable with a new touring model from HD such as the new Ulta Classic Limited  http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/electra-glide-ultra-limited.html.  There are a lot of reasons I like Harley tourers and none of them have anything to do with the image. I've owned a Street Glide, a sporty, and a softail.  I really liked the Street Glide but I couldn't have it and an FJR so it had to go.

I've done some lurking on the Harley forums and have started to lose some interest. The latest models are getting serious complaints about heat issues since HD put the catalytic converter in the head pipe rather than the muffler. Not sure why they've done this but now HD riders are changing from stock exhaust to aftermarket to reduce the heat.  I have no interest in changing out the stock pipes so this could be a deal breaker for me.

Anyone have first hand knowledge of this heat issue on the latest HD tourers?

[atadaskew]

The last Street Glide I rode was a 2008 model (year before the new frame) and it was flippin hot.  It was a 65degree day, I was barely in traffic and I still could feel the heat off it.
My 2009 Dyna was really hot too - but I fixed that completely by putting on slip ons, Stage 1 filter kit and a V&H Fuelpak.  Something that you say you don't want to do.

The latest touring models have that cylinder deactivation gizmo that is meant to keep it cooler in stopped traffic.  Plus they sell heat shields through the accessory catalogue:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524448770865&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309178693&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309178693&bmUID=1284362388161&bmLocale=en_US

To be fair, it seems that almost every bike made now runs lean and is really helped with an aftermarket fueling kit, so it's not just a Harley thing.  But I do agree it's really annoying that we have to fix it.

[chornbe]

I love riding my brother's 09 SG, but it's wicked hot even w/o the cat pipe. It's really time to revamp the Vrod engine for the tourers, IMHO.

[stevent]

I have an '08 Touring model with stock exhaust, I don't notice an excess of heat from it. However I don't have the cat in the pipe either. I do know of plenty of people riding stock '09~'10 bikes stock with no problems so I guess it's a personal thing. It's also an HD tradition to whinge about the exhaust and how lean the EPA makes them run even though they run at a standard 14:1 +/- like everyone else does.

The best thing to do is take one for a test ride and see for yourself, Harley is one of the few dealers that will let you do that.

[JGreb]

Thank you for the info guys. I forgot to mention the rear cylinder shut off at idle. It reportedly can be problematic and make the bike stumble and stall when it is time to leave the stop light move in gridlock traffic. I guess it takes the engine a second to go back to normal two cylinder operation with the throttle.

Hopefully I can take one on an extended test ride or rent a 2010 up with the 103 for a day.

[stevent]

Again, my '08 has the rear cylinder cut off and it's virtually seemless coming back up to two cylinders. You have to see for yourself by a test ride. The worst thing about Harleys is all the bullshit and misinformation flying around about them  

[Gar]

Rear cylinder cut-off is not a problem. The heat problem is there. It is very bad on the 2010 Road Glide Custom (and presumably the Street Glide) due to the 2-1 exhaust. the 2011 Road Glide Custom has a 2-1-2 system which should help. The real problem is the CAT. Now, for just how bad the heat issue is, let me give you my experience. My 2010 Road Glide Custom had a stage 1 intake, Harley Screamin' Eagle muffler and a PC-V with tune, on the stock header, and as set up was 100% EPA legal/sound compliant. I rode is the last week of June from Ky to Fl, a trip of 700+ miles. The trip down I did in 2 days (family vacation, other family in the car and we stopped for an aquarium visit). I was wearing an Aerostich RoadCrafter 2pc with shorts underneath. At the end of the 1st day I had burns on my right calf. By burns I mean a circular area of redness about 4-5" in diameter with MANY small blisters. I ordered a new header when I got home. I cannot begin to describe how much cooler the bike is now.

Heat is a real issue. It is also the only real issue I've had with the bike so far (had a warranty fix on the radio). 12,000 miles in 12 months.

[chornbe]

The worst thing about Harleys is all the bullshit and misinformation flying around about them  

PLUS MANY!!!!

[stevent]

Rear cylinder cut-off is not a problem. The heat problem is there. It is very bad on the 2010 Road Glide Custom (and presumably the Street Glide) due to the 2-1 exhaust. the 2011 Road Glide Custom has a 2-1-2 system which should help. The real problem is the CAT. Now, for just how bad the heat issue is, let me give you my experience. My 2010 Road Glide Custom had a stage 1 intake, Harley Screamin' Eagle muffler and a PC-V with tune, on the stock header, and as set up was 100% EPA legal/sound compliant. I rode is the last week of June from Ky to Fl, a trip of 700+ miles. The trip down I did in 2 days (family vacation, other family in the car and we stopped for an aquarium visit). I was wearing an Aerostich RoadCrafter 2pc with shorts underneath. At the end of the 1st day I had burns on my right calf. By burns I mean a circular area of redness about 4-5" in diameter with MANY small blisters. I ordered a new header when I got home. I cannot begin to describe how much cooler the bike is now.

Heat is a real issue. It is also the only real issue I've had with the bike so far (had a warranty fix on the radio). 12,000 miles in 12 months.

Wow, well that's definately running too hot if it's burning your skin. Guess I'll be hanging on to my '08

[Geoff]

The TC96 runs leaner and hotter than the older TC88 in order to meet EPA regulations.  I don't have a rear cylinder cut-off on my '07 Softail Custom. Heat rise from the motor and exhaust is just slightly warmer than the '05 Ultra Classic I use to ride.  My Softail has Screamin' Eagle pipes, which flow better than stock and are just slightly louder.

As other have said, the best thing you can do is test ride a bagger. Better yet, rent one for a day and do some city and highway riding.  

Check this read on the heat issue:  http://www.coolclimbing.com/2007harleydavidsonroadking11.htm

[atadaskew]

The 96 motor in my Street Bob was su-wheeeet after I cooled it off with  Fuel Pak, pipes and filter kit.
Did not ride a bike with better fueling.

Definitely rent a tourer.  I rented a bunch of Harleys so I could see what they were like in real conditions before putting my money down.
Better spend $150 now than $17K+ later and have buyer's remorse.

[Geoff]

I understand the reluctance to drop $22 large on a heat pump that requires modification to make it run cooler.  Just ain't right.  If Harley didn't have such a large and loyal following, they'd be out of business.

I bought my '07 Softail Custom used. It was a bank repo with only 460 miles and priced $3500 under list. The savings take some of the burn out of my right thigh.

[atadaskew]

I understand the reluctance to drop $22 large on a heat pump that requires modification to make it run cooler.  Just ain't right.  If Harley didn't have such a large and loyal following, they'd be out of business.

I bought my '07 Softail Custom used. It was a bank repo with only 460 miles and priced $3500 under list. The savings take some of the burn out of my right thigh.

I heard the gen 1 FJR, the St1300 and the C14 are real cookers too. So it seems it's not just Harley.

[JGreb]

All of those bikes have had the issue addressed by the manufacturer. How much it helped I cannot say, but my Gen II runs very cool, I can sit in traffic all day on the FJR. My Super Duke is another story

[atadaskew]

All of those bikes have had the issue addressed by the manufacturer. How much it helped I cannot say, but my Gen II runs very cool, I can sit in traffic all day on the FJR. My Super Duke is another story

The only one I know of being fixed is the Gen 2 FJR.
But by mentioning your Super Duke, it just shows, again, that Harley is not the only one guilty of this.
And I agree that it is lame that the end user needs to sort it.

I was a bit upset that I had to put about $1K into my Dyna to make it run cool, cuz I didn't want it louder but that ended up being the downside to the fix I incorporated (slip ons, filter kit, FuelPak).