Summer Heat

[norcal1]

Most days around here are in the nineties with occasional excursions into the 100+ mark.

I've noticed that in slower riding or idling the radiator fan come on at 7 or 8 bars(on the temp gauge). But I look at the small area of space where air gets to the radiator surface and I wonder if there might be overheating in my future.

Anyone have that problem?

 

[FJRay]

Lots of folks ride the FJR in really hot weather and I have yet to hear of one overheating. The rider will overheat before the bike <_<

 

[wfooshee]

What do you mean, "small area of space?" The entire radiator is exposed to oncoming air. It doesn't get any better than that. And 7 or 8 bars is exactly where the fan's supposed to come on.

OMG!!!! My bike's doing what it's supposed to do!!!!!

But what if it doesn't someday????

Geez, ride the thing and have fun. It works. It works correctly. If an Arizona dufus can break 200K on one of these things, I think the cooling system is up to snuff.

 

[JET]

Yesterday I did a 650mi roundtrip from NC to GA. The heat wasn't as bad as the humidity but later in the evening I could really feel the heat coming up around the tank. It felt like sitting on a radiator..... so I just kept my speed up to help disperse the heat

The temps were hovering in the high 90's low 100's, and I noticed that when I was red lights the temp gauge never got higher than 4-5, and the fan came on. Around 8pm I stopped to switch out my visor and left the bike running, the fan came on and the temp gauge was at 4. As soon as I jumped back on the freeway it dropped down to 2 bars. I just changed my cooling fluid 3 weeks ago.

 

[wmadoty]

Yesterday I did a 650mi roundtrip from NC to GA. The heat wasn't as bad as the humidity but later in the evening I could really feel the heat coming up around the tank. It felt like sitting on a radiator..... so I just kept my speed up to help disperse the heat

The temps were hovering in the high 90's low 100's, and I noticed that when I was red lights the temp gauge never got higher than 4-5, and the fan came on. Around 8pm I stopped to switch out my visor and left the bike running, the fan came on and the temp gauge was at 4. As soon as I jumped back on the freeway it dropped down to 2 bars. I just changed my cooling fluid 3 weeks ago.

Gen I vs Gen II - Whole different animal when looking at the coolant gauge. Guy has a 2010 and seven eight bars are common when fan kicks on. Running down interstate at 80mph gauge can read anywhere from three bars to six bars depending on how much air can get to the cooling system. It is all normal and all fine. Gauge shows hotter when I have a stiff tail wind or a lot of traffic stealing my air on the interstate.

Your bike is normal, enjoy it.

 

[norcal1]

Thanks to all!

 

[rucrispy]

We have been having high humidity and upper 90's to low 100's for the past three days in SE Virginia and I haven't had any issues. Did about 60 miles today on the interstate with the thermometer reading between 95 - 102 and it did fine. I even had to come to a stop twice and slow down once while on the way home.

 

[madmike2]

I ride the California Central Valley....temps in the 100s are common in the Summer....yours is behaving normally.

Drink fluids and if riding any distance, wear a cooling vest.

@ Jet...that's usual for an '05. Part of the charm of a superior Gen I. At least we don't have grounding issues.....and are tickers are long since repaired.

 

[hppants]

Very good to read this. I'm still a FJR newbie (owned for 3 days). It's friggin hot down in South Louisiana now - nearly 100 deg with 75-80% humidity. What Jet described is what I'm seeing. Fan kicks on at 4 bars (experienced in heavy traffic), low speed riding pretty much stays at 3 bars, and higher speed (50mph plus) after about 1 mile, it drops to 2 bars.

It is a little misleading though, as one typically views a temperature gage reading above 1/2 way as a problem. The bin-o-facts for the gen 1 says 4 bars is 212 deg. - fairly hot for a aluminum engine. Glad to read that it is not an issue.

I'd hate to over heat my new toy.

 

[RadioHowie]

I simply leave the oven at home and "Ride the Rex."

 

[FJR Bill]

I've had the opportunity to ride several of my friends bikes in 95 to 100 degree temps. Rode the Gen1 and it cooked me. The ST1300 better but about the same. Harley Road King fried thighs. V11 Moto Guzzi cool and sweet, B12 Bandit, what heat?? Valkery, big time cooker. My 09 FJR no sweat, no noticable heat from engine except on lower legs. So in summer I use low cut boots...problem solved. Winter, I like the warming of my lower legs and feet and wear my tall riding boots.