Engine Heat - I want more.

[Sherman]

I did several searches to no avail.

In this colder weather the engine only gets to 2 bars. Would it be OK to partially cover the radiator like the big rigs do, to get the engine temperatures up to 3 bars or just below where the fan kicks in? I want the heat ozzing out of the lower cowlings.

Also, I removed the summer insulation heat fixes, and I would like to block the main side vents to get that heat back onto my legs.

Your helpful comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[dcarver]

Really? More heat? What year do you ride? Why not install heated grips, electric vest/gear etc. rather than make the bike run hotter than designed for?

 

[evil_henchman]

I did several searches to no avail.In this colder weather the engine only gets to 2 bars. Would it be OK to partially cover the radiator like the big rigs do, to get the engine temperatures up to 3 bars or just below where the fan kicks in? I want the heat ozzing out of the lower cowlings.

Also, I removed the summer insulation heat fixes, and I would like to block the main side vents to get that heat back onto my legs.

Your helpful comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Remove the rubber panels on both sides of the gas tank. That lets out a lot of heat.

 

[Sherman]

Really? More heat? What year do you ride? Why not install heated grips, electric vest/gear etc. rather than make the bike run hotter than designed for?

I have an '04. In summer it is normal to run between 3 & 4 bars. I would think that would be ok at this time of year also to run 3 bars of heat indicated. But with the temps below 40deg it never gets over 2 bars while moving. I was just asking if the techs here thought it would be ok to partially block airflo at the radiator to bring it up nearer to summer temps.

 

[evil_henchman]

Running 2 bars isn't going to hurt a thing. Trying to make it run hotter won't make you any warmer and puts your engine at risk.

 

[BBIII]

Really? More heat? What year do you ride? Why not install heated grips, electric vest/gear etc. rather than make the bike run hotter than designed for?

Bruce

Yeah, someone on this site had some heated gear for sale a while ago, I guess it wasn't the right size

Just go to the local BMW store and buy a Gerbing's jacket & controller & powerlet stuff to connect it to your battery. You really need to try the jacket on before you buy, they are a little undersized, just like their gloves. That was the best piece of gear I had...It worked great, even when it wasn't plugged in, it kept me warm. It was a great combination in late summer/early fall when I would ride in to work for a nite shift with ambient temp at 80-90 degrees with my mesh jacket on. Then going home, put the vest on under the mesh jacket when it was 40-50 degrees, not plugged in and I was always warm. When I get my sports car I'm going to get a similar setup so I can drive with the top down in 40-50 degree weather and be toasty warm. BTW I do NOT work for Gerbing

BB III

 

[james1300]

I did several searches to no avail.In this colder weather the engine only gets to 2 bars. Would it be OK to partially cover the radiator like the big rigs do, to get the engine temperatures up to 3 bars or just below where the fan kicks in? I want the heat ozzing out of the lower cowlings.

Also, I removed the summer insulation heat fixes, and I would like to block the main side vents to get that heat back onto my legs.

Your helpful comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Adding the foot guards from FJR Goodies.com helped to redirect some engine heat to my feet.

 

[RTSR1/FJR]

I did several searches to no avail.In this colder weather the engine only gets to 2 bars. Would it be OK to partially cover the radiator like the big rigs do, to get the engine temperatures up to 3 bars or just below where the fan kicks in? I want the heat ozzing out of the lower cowlings.

Also, I removed the summer insulation heat fixes, and I would like to block the main side vents to get that heat back onto my legs.

Your helpful comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

If your bike runs at 3-4 bars in the summer, you better get it checked! My '03, in 95-100 degree weather, only runs 2 bars on the road and only reaches 3-4 in stop & go traffic.

 

[JimLor]

Drain the coolant.

Ya know, I've found that ole' Maxine runs about the same in 20 degree wx as in 95 degree wx. Two bars while moving, when stopped fairly shortly goes to 3 and if I sit a while longer she'll happily go to 4. The heated gear is a sound recommendation.