06 Legs getting hot & Temp guage high

[Hot Wheels]

Help,

I know the 06 is cooler then the earlier years - but WOW - my legs were so hot last weekend. the outside temp was about 92 - I had on riding pants - silver in color - but the hot air from the engine was HOT !! I usually wear vented riding pants in the summer - but the heat on mu shins would be too much - so my question - is there anything I can do?

Also - my temp guage - it was about 3/4 up on the bars - I am a little worried about the 100 plus days coming soon - what should the bars be at - what should I watch for??

BTW - I live in Tucson.

Thanks,

Diane

2006 FRJ 1300

 

[Ignacio]

For the record. The generations aren't any hotter or cooler than each other. They manage heat differently.

My observation riding both generations is that my '05 spread-out the heat from my nads to my ankles....in an overall roast-toasty manner. Riding an '06 I found the nads to knee much cooler, but a blast furnace directed to my shin and ankle area....particularly on the left side.

That said, have you tried changing the venting positions?

.....or move to a cooler place than Tucson.

 

[Bounce]

Might be time to do a coolant flush, eh wot?

 

[Hot Wheels]

Riding an '06 I found the nads to knee much cooler, but a blast furnace directed to my shin and ankle area....particularly on the left side.
That said, have you tried changing the venting positions?

.....or move to a cooler place than Tucson.

Yes - you are correct - it is the shins to knees - I really didn't notice which side both seemed hot. As far as the venting - they are closed right now - when open - it felt like more air was on my legs.

As far as moving - sadly not until retirement !!

Thanks,

Diane

 

[AZrider]

Diane,

Move from Tucson? Are you crazy? You live in the town where you can ride 12 months out of the year. Those Northern peeps have to scrape the moss off their rides in April when they take them out of the garage. :blink:

The temp gage on my FJR was running about 5 bars a few times between Mojave and Tucson but heck it was over a 105F in Phoenix. I got stuck in a big traffic jam near Casa Grande and sat there for about 1/2 hour and the temp gage would creep up and then the fans turned on and the gage went down.

If the bike's running on the warm you might flush the system (good suggestion by Bounce) and have the timing/TB checked.

AZ

 

[Scuba]

My gauge gets within a few bars of max from time to time in hot weather when stopped or barely moving. I have ~1000 miles on her so no flush needed there. It never stays there long but I never hear the fan come on.

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

Hot Wheels,

Must be due to your Forum Name!

No, yesterday on my '06 I watched both the ambient temp and the coolant readout while commuting from Mojave to Bakersfield, CA.

My coolant readout showed 4 bars only (just below mid temp) while the outside air was between 99 and 104 degF. When the outside air got up to 105, then I got 5 bars. When I hit the traffic lights and suburban traffic, and the outside air hit 108 degF, I saw a momentary 6 bar indication. I have on one occation seen an 8 bar indication, but that was sitting in traffic (fans came on).

I usually utilize my California lane splitting priviledges when I come up on stopped traffic at a light, and move to the head of the line.

I find that keeping the bike moving, and thus air thru the radiator sure helps to keep the engine temps down.

Before doing a coolant flush, maybe try tapping the thermostat to free it up in the event that it is stuck or binding.

 

[E1Allen]

I think his heat issues are the same we are all dealing with. I feel heat on my legs, but only when I sit through traffic.

 

[pickax]

Diane

I have found the heat on the shins as well, as Iggy said, its better there than on the torso. Heavy ankle high boots and silver riding pants velcroed around them (with shorts underneath) seem my best solution. The fans should kick on at 7 bars, in heavy traffic they will get to 8 with fans on but drop quickly when you get moving. I hate traffic in the summer!!! BTW try a https://www.ridecool.com/ evaporative vest

under a mesh jacket too, it'll make you forget about your shins.

 

[ELP_JC]

Thought my fans weren't working, but they are. And both. They kick in the moment the 8th bar shows up on the dash. But the bad part is they shut off with 7 bars still showing; that's NOTHING. Oh well, at least temp drops quicky.

Fans are the quietest I've ever heard. I could barely hear them (motor running, of course), even with my face right by the opening. Had to get a flashlight to confirm both were working. It was 100+ here today, and motor was HOT. Later.

JC

 

[Hot Wheels]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the link for the hot weather gear. I will be bring the bike to the dealer for the 4k service - it is a little over due. I will have the coolant flush completed then.

BTW - I do love living in Tucson - just don't like all of the traffic. So - hopefully somewhere kind of close.

Anyways - thanks for the input.

Diane

 

[radman]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the link for the hot weather gear. I will be bring the bike to the dealer for the 4k service - it is a little over due. I will have the coolant flush completed then.

BTW - I do love living in Tucson - just don't like all of the traffic. So - hopefully somewhere kind of close.

Anyways - thanks for the input.

Diane

Coolant flush will do nothing for the heat-nor a hot running motor, not as young as this machine is. Still, should be an every year operation to keep things in top condition, but the temp is just an indication that it is indeed hot out this time of year. The system is operating as designed, as long as the fans cycle when they should, all is good. Tis normal for a stationary or slow moving bike to run on the warm side, the fans bring the temp within high spec fast, as they should, then shut off because they are real power hogs, using up a big chunk of the available amperage, and since they usually come on at slow speed, most of this comes from the battery. A slow stat or weak system will show itself at speed, when the engine is really producing the heat, and the system is overwhelmed trying to keep up. If you're doing 70 mph, and the temp still looks like you're in traffic, thats when you should start worrying. High side of normal is well within parameters in 90-110 degree heat when in motion.

 

[clutchless1]

I wonder if this heat deal "MAY" be the fact these 06 and newer bikes are running real lean right from the start (thanks EPA). I'm not exactly sure but has anyone put a Power Commander III or some other unit that will introduce a little more fuel on their 06 and up bike and noticed the bike running a little cooler? It might not make any difference on an injected engine, I just don't know? <_< C1

 

[Constant Mesh]

The '06 coolant temperature likely spikes so fast when you're not moving because the total coolant volume is reduced compared to the earlier FJR's.

'05 Coolant Volume = 3.49 quarts

'06 Coolant Volume = 2.75 quarts

3.49 / 2.75 = 1.27

27% more coolant

 

[azsteve]

I have an 07 that now has 3500 miles on it and since the weather has gone cold here in Phoenix I have noticed that the temperature gauge wanders around quite dramitically.

On a 40 degree morning it is slow to warm up and after 5-6 miles it will eventually show 3-4bars while riding at 60-70mph.

If I get stuck in traffic it will go to 7 bars and the fans come on and it cools to 5-6 bars. Once I get moving again it will go back to 4 and maybe even 3 bars.

Has anyone else seen anything similar? My 2004 would warm to 5 bars and stay there under similar conditions.

My thought is that the thermostat is defective.

Any comments?

Steve

 

[hardluk1]

Try adding some Water Wetter. If you haven't heard of it, this stuff really works. Should be at most auto part stores..

 

[ionbeam]

Try adding some Water Wetter. If you haven't heard of it, this stuff really works. Should be at most auto part stores..

Not Friday yet, must not....must not............. :lol: