2017 freewheeler

[gerald martin]

I am reading that the new 2017 freewheeler has a fan assisted oil cooler. Does anyone know for certain if that is true. They do not have one at any of the dealers around here for me to look at. If anyone has a new freewheeler how much cooler does it run than the 15s and 16s and what kind of gas mileage do it get?

[vito]

I am reading that the new 2017 freewheeler has a fan assisted oil cooler. Does anyone know for certain if that is true. They do not have one at any of the dealers around here for me to look at. If anyone has a new freewheeler how much cooler does it run than the 15s and 16s and what kind of gas mileage do it get?

Yup. there is a fan. I can't say the 17 runs any cooler than my 2015. Gas mileage has been just a tad better - 1 or 2 MPG. The main advantage of the 2017 is the motor. A lot more responsive and fun to drive. OTOH one could prolly get the same from mod'ing an earlier motor.
If heat is your problem look at the full-boat Triglide. It's water cooled and much cooler.

[gerald martin]

any more comments on the heat factor of the M8 engine would be appreciated. thinking of trading my 2015 but if the heat is the same don't know if I will

[HDB0B]

The catalytic converter is positioned about 8" further to the rear in the M8 new head pipe. This greatly lessens the passenger right foot heat.

Otherwise IMO the motor temps are about the same.

I've read the "AVERAGE" Harley gets about 800 miles per year. We here are far from AVERAGE!!!

Bob

[gerald martin]

Thanks guys
That's two people now that say the heat is the about the same on the 15s and the 17s so I think I will keep my 15. I still have 5 years left on the extended warranty and I put on between 15 to 20 thousand miles a year (I keep my speedo on miles as it easier to figure out mileage) so I figure (hope) I will get a new motor out of it by that time. I guess I will cool it down with more DK Custom products. I already have the tank lift, cooling wings extended floor boards and will buy the new love jug mighty mite fans.
PS the dk custom products I have so far are the best, and the service is unbeatable

[52edub]

I changed my header to a Fuel Moto ceramic coated one and the heat is gone. No cat and coated inside and out made a big difference. I don't believe the oil cooler has a fan on the M8 engines as the oil system is now pressurized.

[vito]

I changed my header to a Fuel Moto ceramic coated one and the heat is gone. No cat and coated inside and out made a big difference. I don't believe the oil cooler has a fan on the M8 engines as the oil system is now pressurized.

What changes were needed in mapping (tuning) and what was effect on gas mileage?

There is definitely a small fan behind the oil cooler on my M8 Freewheeler.

[52edub]

Since I left the stock mufflers on I used the Nightrider Fl-Vieds. Mileage unaffected and still in mid 30s.

[vito]

Since I left the stock mufflers on I used the Nightrider Fl-Vieds. Mileage unaffected and still in mid 30s.

Thanks

[miano248]

I just purchased a 2017 freewheeler and they do not offer a cooling fan as stock equipment But they do offer a fan for it as an option for $299.00 and it's supposed to be a plug & play and it draws heat away from engine if you look it up under Harley accessories you will see it

[rhino 2]

I just purchased a 2017 freewheeler and they do not offer a cooling fan as stock equipment But they do offer a fan for it as an option for $299.00 and it's supposed to be a plug & play and it draws heat away from engine if you look it up under Harley accessories you will see it

Welcome on your first post, And hopefully many more to come...

[Jack Klarich]

mine a 50 plus degrees cooler

[DK Custom Products]

On the two M8's we test rode, the felt heat seemed less.

Then when I had a couple of days with Jacks' M8, that was absolutely confirmed, the felt heat is less than on the Twin Cam Freewheelers. Felt heat can be greatly reduced on the Twin Cams...see article on that HERE.

Related to that, we also did some temperature testing on the M8 Freewheeler.

We saw the temps getting far warmer than seems would be good for the longevity of the engine....BUT, it is too soon to know how heat will effect the M8 engine longevity, only time will tell on that for sure.

I will be putting together a report on what temps we measured, and in what circumstances...but a little taste is that we were getting over 300* front cylinder head temps, and that was easy riding on a cool day (high 50's).

We know that on a Twin Cam damage begins occurring at 270*....what we don't know for sure is if the M8 will have the same negative response to those kind of temps.

But I am pretty sure they will...reason being is that when on the dyno we saw very significant power drops when the front cylinder head temps crossed above 250*, which is exactly the same spot that we see that on a Twin Cam.

Kevin

[Jack Klarich]

up 2 no good lol