Safe oil temperature

[Bones]

Since my oil temp gauge install a few months ago, I've been keeping an eye on temps when out riding, and in winter when installed once hot sat around 70deg C / 158deg F.

Went for a ride the other day in now spring weather and the temp sat around 95deg C / 203deg F, mainly highway riding with a bit of stop / go in between.

Every year I do a toy run in December ( summer) which is mostly 1st gear / 2nd gear for the whole way ( 15km) and in past years  can smell the motor getting hot, and was wondering at what temp should I turn it off before cooking it.

I've been lucky so far but don't want to push my luck.

                                                                        Tony.

[racerrad8]

Tony,

You should be running temps in the  200* +/-(15-20*) range, regardless of the weather. The stock cooler, in colder weather/climates cool the oil too effectively as noted by your low reading of 158*.

You will not incur any issues with oil temps up to the 250-265* range, but it is not recommended to sustain those temps for long periods as the oil will break down.

That is one thing that I found when I began using the RPM cooler for testing purposes. The built in "thermostat" which changes the flow of the oil based on temp & viscosity allowed the bike to come up to operating temperature faster and maintain the running temps of the 200 range no matter what the outside weather conditions were.

Here is a couple of posts regarding the RPM oil cooler and the thermostat;
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=8097.msg74626;topicseen#msg74626
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=7822.msg71225#msg71225

Randy - RPM

[Bones]

You will not incur any issues with oil temps up to the 250-265* range, but it is not recommended to sustain those temps for long periods as the oil will break down.



Randy - RPM

Thanks for that Randy, I'm quite surprised by the high readings and still be in the safety zone. Must be accustomed to looking at gauges in water cooled engines that sit around 80/85 deg C -176/185deg F.

I won't be that worried now if the temps creep up a bit.

                                                       Thanks Tony.

[Firehawk068]

On cooler mornings, mine runs in the 180-200F range.
One hot days it runs 220-240F during sustained twisty-road running.
I have had it creep up to 260-280F in stopped traffic...........................this is the point where I get over on the right shoulder, and if there's no cop in sight, I run down the shoulder for a distance to cool her down.

[red]

You will not incur any issues with oil temps up to the 250-265* range, but it is not recommended to sustain those temps for long periods as the oil will break down.
Randy - RPM

Thanks for that Randy, I'm quite surprised by the high readings and still be in the safety zone. Must be accustomed to looking at gauges in water cooled engines that sit around 80/85 deg C -176/185deg F.  I won't be that worried now if the temps creep up a bit.
                                                      Thanks Tony.

Tony,

Randy (http://www.rpmracingca.com) may have a better oil cooler for your bike, also.

I would ask the manufacturer of the oil directly, for the safe temperature "operating ranges" of their products.  They may want to know the oil pressures that you run, which is also a factor in possible oil breakdown.  Those guys know their stuff.  You may wish to use a better oil, in some cases.

Cheers,
Red

[Capn Ron]

I have had it creep up to 260-280F in stopped traffic...........................this is the point where I get over on the right shoulder, and if there's no cop in sight, I run down the shoulder for a distance to cool her down.

This was the reason given to me that lane-splitting (filtering) is legal here in California.

Cap'n Ron. . .

[AustinFJ]

I ride all summer here in TX, including commute home from work @ 105F+, and no, it's not a "dry" heat, dammit!   I think I've only topped 250F once.   Hot days in traffic see the temp in 220-240. I've got a Setrab 13-row cooler installed.  Done before Randy came out with his thermostat-controlled unit.    In the winter, I have a plate that fits over the cooler to allow the engine to warm up to temp.