Heat from exhaust causing burns

[BJ62]

I have a 2010 HD Street Glide Trike. The heat from the exhaust causes first degree burns on the back of my thigh when riding over thirty miles in the summer. No, I am not wearing shorts, I wear jeans and boots. Has anyone had this experience? BJ62

[BlueTrinity]

That's running way too hot! Every HD generates heat but that's abnormal. I just did 1850 miles in 90 degree weather with no problems.

Most obvious thing to look at first is fuel mix. Could be as simple as re-flashing the computer.

By the way... keep all fluid to full levels. It's not exhaust, but its amazing how much extra engine heat is generated by less than optimum levels.

Your 2010 should be corrrected by te dealer under warranty. Good luck!

[rich meyers]

buy a leather piece called cool thighs. Won't cure heat problem with Harley but your thighs or calves wont burn.

[Gorilla]

welcome aboard BJ62.

The latest HD's have a heat issue. It's all do to the very lean mixture that they are required to run to pass emissions. Your dealer can do a little adjusting with a flash to the ECM (computer). The real answer involves going beyond HD and adding a ECM module using a program to richen the mixture cooling the bike down. You also can change the exhaust and air cleaner if you want a little more power. Depending on cool your dealer is or not as to if you will have warranter issues.

[Bikerbozo]

I noticed the same leg heating. But only when I rode with shorts and only on my right leg. It seems those plastic wind thingies direct the wind onto the rear cylinder and blow out over the exhaust on the right side Just a guess, however. I guess it will be nice in the winter (glass half full).

[Southern Man]

THis is the exact reason that I found this trike site as well as the trike thread over at HD forum.

After reading several threads and doing some more research my opinion (for what it is worth) is the the head pipe of the 2010 exaust is the main problem.
It has a cat in it that traps heat.
From what I have read the 2009's are not as hot as the 2010's.

making it somwhat better is going to be at least a $1,000 fix.
Most of the foolks have spend $2,000 or more on colling down the heat monster.

Perhaps we should contact one of these motorcycle wreck lawyers and see if they would start a class action lawsuit for all the 2010 tour bike owners.

[tfdeputydawg]

welcome aboard BJ62.

The real answer involves going beyond HD and adding a ECM module using a program to richen the mixture cooling the bike down. You also can change the exhaust and air cleaner if you want a little more power. Depending on cool your dealer is or not as to if you will have warranter issues.

Sometimes the warranty claim is not up to the dealer! I dare say, if you get into an engine failure claim, the HD rep will be involved and once he sees non HD accessories, good bye warranty.
HD has a Race Tuner, an air breather kit and down loads(which you should not need w/a Race Tuner installed) and different touring mufflers that will
help some.
Air cooled w/a rear cylinder and an exhaust pipe by your leg = heat.

[ultraboy]

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/artic...ur-harley.html

[rog1215]

in the past year i have applied all of the solutions that Dave "Ultraboy" recomends in his dissertation. Been riding Harleys for 32 years and yes they run extremly lean from the factory. Richen it up add a better breather and think about the "lenale" fan and relocate the horn. add some true duals.
yeah i know, why should we have to do all this to make these monsters work right after paying 30 grand... if only , if only
These mods will improve the heat and longevity of you ride, remember Heat = wear and tear on any internal combustion engine. cool her down and ride on !
Roger

[ultraboy]

Heat is exactly what happens when you try to take 100 year old air cooled, pushrod, 45 degree v-twin technology, and bring it into today's EPA standards. 14.7:1 AFR is a laboratory perfect air/fuel ratio, in which there is exactly enough air to burn ALL the fuel. That's fine for the lab, and can be reasonable for an engine in which the temperature can be constantly controlled with water jackets, radiators, thermostats and fans. The injected Twinkies of today need more fuel to run reasonably cool, period, as well as the extra help I mentioned in the article. A good tuner can be your best friend, and if you find one, stick with him (or her)
It is a shame that we HD folks have to go this way, but love 'em or leave 'em. My S&S carb'ed Shovel sure don't run hot.
I'm sure it won't be long before Hd has to bite the bullet and v-rod motor everything, LOL

[BJ62]

Impressive responses, and you were all so quick. I am going to check with the dealer and now have support thanks to all of you who responded. If anyone else reading this string has more comments, please post them. Thanks again!

[Smoken'JOE]

After reading several threads and doing some more research my opinion (for what it is worth) is the the head pipe of the 2010 exaust is the main problem.
It has a cat in it that traps heat.
From what I have read the 2009's are not as hot as the 2010's.

If the catalytic converter is causing the heat, why cant it be drilled out or removed? It's been known to cause fires under cars in the right conditions.

[rich meyers]

I have had HD all my life. They all run hot and I have had over 16 of them. 2007 & up run the hottest. I'm a 70 yr. old. Last year at Sturgis I said enough is enough. Bought a Stallion. Heat problem is gone. Put 11k on it since last August including Chi. To LA. Route 66. last month. Hd has been building the same design 2 cyl. for 107 yrs. and still can't get it right.
Rich Meyers

[ultraboy]

Rich, it's the EPA restrictions on the later models. Sure it's true the same basic air cooled v-twin design is 100+ years old, but that's what makes a Harley a Harley. Believe me, they do not have to run hot if you don't want them to, my old shovel certainly dosen't.
Anyway, glad you are happy with the Stallion, ride on!

[Mr.Wizard]

Just FYI

In a few weeks I have another stock TG (2010) coming to my place for heat related parts swap, tune and add on's. There are three parts to the TG heat. Rider heat, motor heat and exhaust heat. The TG owner wants all three addressed at the same time without using a shotgun to kill a fly, so to speak.

This will also help the forth area of concern... power and throttle response. He will not be replacing his cams or oil cooler, adding parade fans or split system residential air conditioner at this time.

If you guys are interested I will record the before and after heat data and take pictures of the swap. I can post it where everyone can see the changes and end results. After doing this for a few 10's and 09's the only comments I get from the owners are WoW it's a new machine.

The part costs are in the range of $1500.00. It will consist of the following:

TTS Mastertune and map
Fullsac Trike X Pipe
Fullsac Mufflers w/ end caps
Fullsac 1.75 Tournig Baffles
Arlen Ness Air Cleaner
RJ's Originals Mid Frame Deflectors

I am not affiliated with any of the above Manufacturers. The above parts were chosen by the TG owner with the full knowledge of the other existing products.

Let me know if you guys are interested in me posting the results.

[Nana]

Just FYI


Let me know if you guys are interested in me posting the results.

Absolutely post it, Wiz!!! It would be great to see the process.

[jim peacock]

I have to agree with ultraboy,while I do not own a Harley I have several friends who do and when visting Harley dealers I have been told by several of them that in just a few years all of the big bikes of all brands will be water cooled.
Another thing you have to remember is that when you add a trike kit,because of the extra weight you are making the motor work harder therefore making it run hotter.

[ultraboy]

Wiz, that's what it all boils down to, let the motor breath, in and out, and re-tune the map. Leg heat shields always a good idea, and I still like an oil cooler and a gauge to monitor it.

[rich meyers]

It's a shame you put out all that money for a bike then have to put another $1500 to $2000 to make it run right. Then it will still run hot.

[bounder04]

OK. I just replaced the OEM head pipes with a set of V&H true duals, Stage1 breather kit, SE re-mapping and Syn oil in all 3 holes. There is a HUGE difference in reduced heat and improved power. the wife is a happy camper (rider) now. My CSC trike is built on a 2009 Ultra.