Harley Parade Mode - Here's What You Should Know About It

The Parade Mode is one of the cool features found in Harley Davidson bikes that will let you tap into a pretty nifty trick, which will let you keep your engine cool and fuel consumption in check during long or intermittent idles in heavy traffic situations.

Its primary benefit is that once you have turned on the feature, it will activate whenever certain factors are present throughout your rides. You can also engage or disengage this depending on your riding habits or preferences. In this article, we will talk about all the important stuff that you should know about Harley's Parade Mode so you will get a good idea of how to get the best out of your motorcycle.

Things You'll Learn Here

The inner workings of the Engine Idle Temperature Management System (EITMS) are a bit complicated from a technical perspective, but the system is actually easy to operate, which definitely makes it very user-friendly. To help you understand its important features, functions, and possible issues, we have compiled the following for your learning enjoyment:

• How the Harley Parade Mode Works
• Key Advantages Offered by the Harley Parade Mode
• Activating the Harley Parade Mode
• Deactivating the Harley Parade Mode
• Most Common Causes of EITMS Malfunction and Their Solutions

How the Harley Parade Mode Works

The Parade Mode on Harley Davidson motorcycles is a feature that allows the motorcycle to maintain an optimal engine idle temperature. It does this by utilizing the Engine Idle Temperature Management System, which regulates and maintains engine temperature during low-speed riding or when stationary.

When in Parade Mode, the EITMS will automatically adjust the fuel-air mixture ratio, as well as manage spark timing, throttle position, air intake volume, and exhaust backpressure to ensure optimal performance at all times.

All of these factors are combined to ensure that the bike is running at its peak level and that an ideal engine temperature is maintained even when idling for extended periods of time.

Key Advantages Offered by the Harley Parade Mode

The Parade Mode on Harley Davidson motorcycles offers several advantages over traditional motorcycle idling. These include:

• It helps improve fuel economy as the motorcycle does not need as much fuel at a lower temperature than it would normally require at a higher one. This leads to increased efficiency and fewer trips to the gas station.
• Engine wear is reduced due to the lower temperatures that the Parade Mode maintains. This lessens the likelihood of long-term mechanical issues resulting from excessive heat buildup.
• The EITMS can quickly adjust any necessary parameters if needed. This allows for quicker cooling in case of an unexpected spike in temperature and ensures that there is no significant decrease in performance.
• Engine damage caused by extreme temperatures is avoided as parade mode maintains an ideal operating temperature range at all times.
• The Parade Mode helps to extend engine life by protecting it against overheating and other temperature-related damage.

Activating the Harley Parade Mode

Now that you know the basics and the benefits offered by the Harley Parade Mode, it's time for you to know how to easily activate it. The feature can be enabled by simply following these steps:

• Step 1: Turn on the ignition switch of your bike.
• Step 2: Click the "Off/Run" switch on the right handlebar to "Run". You can do this while the bike is being driven or stationary as long as the engine is on.
• Step 3: Take the throttle to roll off. Keep it that way for a while.
• Step 4: Wait for at least three seconds until the cruise control lamp is flashing a green light on the instrument cluster of your bike.

The flashing green light in the indicator means your Harley is already in Parade Mode. At this point, the feature will be active even if you restart your bike until you manually turn it off.

Do note though that if the green light is steady and not blinking, that only pertains to the cruise control setting and it means you haven't successfully entered Parade Mode yet. If this is the case, you may have either missed a step or there may have been a glitch in your motorcycle's system during your attempt. Therefore, just repeat the steps again until you see the green indicator flashing.

When enabled, the EITMS will activate 30 seconds after starting your bike. It will automatically disable the fuel injector in the rear cylinder of the engine subject to the following conditions:

• When the throttle position is set to idle.
• The bike should be cruising below 1.2 mph.
• The engine speed falls below 1,200 rpm.
• The engine is operating within ideal temperatures or is above the preset level of the Engine Temperature (ET) sensor.
• For the radio-fitted models of the Harley, the Ambient Air Temperature (AAT) should be over the predetermined level.

Note that the abovementioned factors may vary a bit depending on the model of your Harley but these should give you an idea of how it generally works. It's always best to consult your vehicle's manual or call your dealership to get more precise information on the matters discussed here.

Deactivating the Harley Parade Mode

Your Harley will be in Parade Mode as long as the elements listed in the previous section are present. However, the bike will go out of the mode by itself when it detects the following:

• When the throttle is rolled.
• The clutch is let go as the motorcycle enters into gear.
• The bike is accelerating over 1.9 mph.
• ET sensor sees a drop in engine temperatures or is operating below the preset values.
• The AAT of radio-equipped models determines that the atmospheric air is down from the programmed level.

You can also deactivate the EITMS manually so it will no longer engage even if the conditions enumerated earlier are existing. All you have to do is repeat the steps that you performed to activate the feature.

At the end of Step 4, you should see an amber light flashing in your instrument display. This only means your bike will no longer automatically activate Parade Mode regardless of your riding conditions. Repeat the process once more if you fail to see the blinking amber light.

Most Common Causes of EITMS Malfunction and Their Solutions

The EITMS is such a useful feature in Harley bikes. However, there may be times when you might encounter troubles with it along the way. It may include the feature not activating at all,  not behaving as it should when the Parade Mode is supposed to be on, or remaining active when the function is supposed to be turned off.

Here are some of the parts that most commonly contribute to this kind of problem:

1. Faulty Fuel Injectors

If you encounter difficulty entering Parade Mode or if it won't even activate at all, then you should check your rear fuel injector for any sign of wear or heavy dirt accumulation. Make sure that it is delivering the right amount of fuel to your engine based on its recommended calibration and that there are no contaminants blocking its function.

2. Damaged Engine Temperature Sensor

This part is responsible for measuring the heat levels of your engine while the bike is running. If it is no longer in good quality, it may send the wrong signals to the EITMS, thus, affecting its performance. Make sure to replace it if necessary.

3. Poorly Calibrated Throttle Position Sensor

This component is responsible for telling the EITMS whether the engine is running at a low speed or not which will decide if it should activate Parade Mode or not. If this sensor gets misaligned from its calibration, it may be blocking the activation of this feature.

4. Connecting Wires Problem

If all other components are in good condition but the EITMS still refuses to work, you should check if there are any damaged wires connecting each part of the system. Make sure that they are properly connected and that none of them have any sign of fraying or corrosion.

These are just some of the most common causes that you should take into consideration when encountering EITMS problems in your Harley bike. These should give you an idea of where to start your diagnosis.

However, if all else fails, then it is best to get expert help from your local dealership or a qualified technician. With their expertise, they will surely be able to provide you with the best solutions to get your EITMS back up and running again.

Conclusion

It is always important to be aware of the features that are available in your Harley motorcycle to get the most out of it. Take time to learn about these essential components, such as the Engine Idle Temperature Management System (EITMS), and make sure that it is always in peak condition for a safe and enjoyable ride.

Overall, the Parade Mode on Harley Davidson motorcycles is a great feature that offers several advantages over traditional motorcycle idling. It helps to ensure optimal performance, increased fuel efficiency, and reduced engine wear while also helping to protect against extreme temperatures and possible long-term mechanical issues.

The EITMS allows for quick adjustments if needed, ensuring the bike can continue running at its peak level even when stationary or at low speeds.