Info For Your Bike | Dakota Digital Gauge Install

01. A) New Dakota Digital Gauge (this is the MCL-2004 with red display for '04-10 models, there is another unit for pre-2004 models), B) mounting ring, C) indicator wiring, D) mounting hardware, E) oil temp sensor, F) oil pressure sender.

01. A) New Dakota Digital Gauge (this is the MCL-2004 with red display for '04-10 models,

Unless you have a fairing-equipped touring bike, the rest of the H-D lineup is pretty limited when it comes to useful, sometimes critical, information being relayed back to the rider via the stock instrumentation. Most of the bikes are only equipped with a single gauge which has a speedometer, odometer, tripmeter, range meter, and maybe a clock. Then you have the indicator lights that provide basic info indicating when your turn signals are on, a low-fuel warning, an oil-pressure warning, and that you're in Neutral.

There is other general information and some very specific important info that riders would like to be aware of but don't want 20 different gauges cluttering up their bikes. With this in mind, Dakota Digital (DD) came up with its new MCL-2000 Series electronic instrument system ($499.95), available in either blue or red display. The MCL-2000 provides the basics such as a 225 mph/km/h selectable speedo, wraparound tach with an adjustable shift point, odometer with dual tripmeters, and a host of indicator lights. However, the unit provides even more in-depth useful and interesting features such as a resettable/adjustable miles to service with warning, hour meter, voltage readout with low-voltage alert, seven-speed gear indicator, and performance readings such as 0-60 time, high speed and high rpm recall, and 1/4-mile time and speed.

Knowing that many do-it-yourself garage mechanics get intimidated by electrical/wiring work, DD designed the MCL-2000 as a direct replacement gauge that fits Fat Bob dashes as found on Road Kings, and certain Softail and Dyna models, and is simply plug-n-play. The system is so easy to install you could easily replace your stock gauge with this unit in about 15 minutes or less. Now if you're an info junkie and want even more feedback about your bike, you can also pick up one of DD's oil pressure senders ($39.95) and/or oil temperature sensor ($24.95). These two units can be wired to the MCL-2000 Series providing digital oil pressure and oil temperature readings. Follow along as we show how everything was installed. Once installed, there are several calibrations to be performed to dial everything in, but it's too lengthy to cover here. DD provides thorough instructions on the process. Be sure to know that the mileage must be calibrated within the first 100 miles. After 100 miles the menu option will no longer appear.