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I have a 2008 HD Ultra Glide. I received first degree burns on my thighs while sitting in traffic. Has any one else had problems with engine getting that hot to cause burns?This new engine runs hot even when doing 60mph, but have not had any mechanical problems.
I think when a person purchases a vehicle it should be safe to drive without having to worry about getting burnt.
Are there any solutions to this problem?
Does anyone know of any class action law suites taking place because this type of injury or if HD is going to initiate a recall to prevent burns.
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 Comments (29) |  |
| 11. Written by Bill Clark, on 10-03-2009 19:11 I just purchased a 08 HD Ultra and yes I did ask about the excessive heat problem. Dave Casanovia the Sales Rep for Augusta Ga Harley Davidson Stated that the problem had been solved with a computer chip that caused the rear cyclinder to shut down in traffic... Today my 10 year old daughter and I were caught in traffic and she and I both received 1st degree burns from the heat of this engine....We traded a 03 Heritiage because my daughter loves to ride and she wanted something a little more confortable... It's one thing to lie to an adult to make a fast 25K but to place a innocient little girl in harms way is just plain criminal.. Harley Davidson should be marched in front of 12 of their peers to explain why they continue to allow this to happen...My plan is to mount a media compain to let the world know what has happened.... Even those mean old tough bikers don't tolerate folks being mean to children... That includes the folks that make our rides...... I would be glad to get a class action Law Suite going Bill Clark |
| 12. Written by Pernell Larson, on 19-02-2009 22:48 Save your money I tried every thing from a stage II 103, true duels, super trap 2 into 1, power commander, dyno tune, custom dyno remaped, and my 08 road king is still HOT! |
| 13. Written by Paul A. McCurdy, on 01-10-2008 13:25 I live in Jacksonville, FL and I certainly agree that the 2007 Ultra (which I own) is too hot. I believe the bikes are dangerous and I filed an official complaint with both HD and the NHTSA soon after I purchased the bike. Of course I did not get any favorable results from either company. If HD was not so big and powerful they would have to recall these bikes and make a favorable change to them or else take them off the market. I too would like to see some sort of class action suit against HD. I think that they should have to pay for putting something so dangerous on the market. If there is someone out there who would organize a class action suit I sure they would be a hero to many of us who are stuck with a mobile stove. My email is |
| 14. Written by The heat is here to stay, on 13-09-2008 12:22 The 2009s are no different. I know, I have one and it is like riding a gas grill when you are stopped but I knew that going in so no complaints from me. I have learned a little trick to help cool it down considerably. It is EFI so when you are at a traffic light or stopped, you dont have to rev the engine. When the engine is at idle, if it will drop the RPMs from 1200 to 950 to help cool the engine but if you rev the engine and raise the RPMS back up, they will stay up and here comes the heat again. Best advice to newbies is to learn to ride before you buy. Best advice to the writer of this is to forget the class action suit and trade bikes until you learn to ride safely. |
| 15. Written by Todd G., on 09-09-2008 11:17 I bought a 08 Road King, I put on V&H pipes before I took it home, this also runs extremely hot.. I bought the oil temp gauge, it's been running around 245,, that's to hot, I've been told by many people to replace the stock air filter, with a high flow K&N filter, and that should lower the oil temp,, I just got the filter, I'm hoping this works.. if not, i'll be trying the overpriced oil cooler next.. |
| 16. Written by WWW_Harleyman, on 02-09-2008 23:37 I just bought an 08 Ultra as well. And I'd say it does seem to run a bit hotter than the 07 I traded in for it. First thing I did was buy H-D's electronic oil temp/oil level dip stick [about $135.00] so I knew just how hot I was running. It ran VERY hot! Next was to switch over to synthetic oil. Synthetic oil should be the first step as it provides less friction for the engine making it run cooler in the first place. The switch over did take the temp down, but not enough to make a big difference on my left thigh. The next (big) step was to buy and install an H-D Premium Oil Cooler [around $299.00] (easy enough to install except when it comes to figuring out how to tighten the hose clamps in such tight quarters). That took the temp down quite a bit. It dropped 80 to 90 degrees except for in town construction where we really need cooling down. [Note: I didn't bother buying the little oil cooler fans that one can find on eBay as I didn't think they were really worth it.] Since I'm in Wisconsin and summer here means nothing but construction I next bought a third party fan kit/horn relocation kit from LeNale Engineering off eBay (around $205.00 with shipping and INCLUDING the horn relocation kit). [I couldn’t find any LeNale website, but LeNale seems to do a lot of business on eBay so search 'eBay Motors' for 'Cooling Fan - Airwing design - Fits Harley Davidsons' for a deal.] This thing is fricken great, looks pretty good, and really moves the air! Sounds like an airplane taking off when you flip the switch but can't really be heard above the engine when the bike is running. [Note: To really hide the wiring I found it best to remove the gas tank and run the wires under there. It's an easy enough job and gives good access to the 08 Ultra's accessory plug by the battery. Although the fan has an easy access switch within arms reach, I found LeNale's directions for wiring the fan directly to the dash panel ACC. switch the simplest way to wire it in there. And don't over tighten the horn when you relocate it or it will sound like a sick cow until you loosen it up again.] And I'm still going to buy a set of those plastic H-D 'mid-frame air deflectors' as soon as I stick away another $65.00 The bike now runs cool on the open road and when I get in slow traffic in town I simply flip the switch for the fan and it cools right down. If you don't want to do ALL of the steps above, at least do the synthetic oil change and an oil cooler (any oil cooler if you have to). These changes are not to save you, the rider, but to save on engine wear and fatigue from running hotter than it should. Why Harley didn't include an oil cooler, as standard equipment, is simply dumb. Then put out the cash for the mid-frame air deflectors to keep a little bit of the heat off your inner thighs. Without the engine fan you'll still feel the heat in parade type traffic, but with the other stuff at least you'll be helping to make your big H-D engine last a bit longer. AND listen up... re-routing the exhaust WILL NOT cool the engine, only cool the rider. And don't forget, you can turn off the rear cylinder during parade type traffic, *** people, use your head! And DON'T ride ANY motorcycle wearing only shorts! *** idiots. As for blisters... spread your dang legs, ya newbies. You're on a Harley, quit yer whining! WWW_Harleyman |
17. Written by Jack Palazzolo, on 30-08-2008 09:44  I have to agree .Harley knew they had this heat problem in development. They also knew after 2007 model year customers were complaining about it. It took to 2009 to fix the problem. I have to admit shame on me for not researching the bike before I bought. My concern now, is what is my $25,000.00 2008 Annversiary Model Ultra worth on the market. I guess I'm stuck with it or lose about 5 to 7 thousand dollars. I also sent Harley a long letter about the problem. They responded by phone. Their response was basically. I t's the nature of the beast. Live with it. I would like to organize a class action suit against them. If you are interested contact me at |
| 18. Written by Lou, on 12-08-2008 19:21 My 08 ultra is hotter than ***---o I think I'm riding on the surface of the sun. The factory needs to recall these red hot coal embers or give us money for cooking our hinnys and family jewels. |
| 19. Written by Dan Jones, on 10-08-2008 11:21 I test drove an 08 Ultra on a hot day. The heat coming off the engine was too much for me. The bike is too heavy, weak, and expensive. This must be something you buy to impress neighbors. Not my idea of motorcycling. But again, that's just me. |
| 20. Written by bart taylor, on 05-08-2008 09:45 my email is |
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