Is overheating really a risk?
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: A Boston Yankee in Surrey, England
Is overheating really a risk?
I was stuck in stop and go traffic here in the UK this afternoon for about 20 minutes. More stop than go. After sitting still for such a long time between moves, I started to get concerned that I might be at risk of overheating the engine since there was no cooling air at all. Outside air temp was probably 70 degrees, low humidity, and I was in shade most of the time. I actually shut down a couple of times between moves, but that seemed to drain the battery pretty quickly when I restarted.
My question is, was I ever really in any danger of overheating given those conditions or was I OK to just keep it running and sitting still that long? I figure there are guys riding in the sun in Pheonix traffic who must be suffering much higher temps, but I don't know. I've only had the Sporty, my first bike, for a week, so trying to learn how to look after it properly.
When is overheating a real risk and what are the implications? How would you know?
Any views greatly appreciated.
My question is, was I ever really in any danger of overheating given those conditions or was I OK to just keep it running and sitting still that long? I figure there are guys riding in the sun in Pheonix traffic who must be suffering much higher temps, but I don't know. I've only had the Sporty, my first bike, for a week, so trying to learn how to look after it properly.
When is overheating a real risk and what are the implications? How would you know?
Any views greatly appreciated.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,687
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From: Kalaui Kona HI
RE: Is overheating really a risk?
I ride in Dallas very hot and heavy traffic. I have Syn 3 in mine and a temp gauge and it seldom runs higher than 220. I believe in the newer sporties the idle starts to go down as the engine temp rises to protect the engine. I am no expert but it is what I have learned on the forum. Considering the low temp of 70 no humidity you are well within the operating temps. You probably will kill the battery by starting it up in between moving a few feet though.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Is overheating really a risk?
ORIGINAL: domenicp7
I ride in Dallas very hot and heavy traffic. I have Syn 3 in mine and a temp gauge and it seldom runs higher than 220. I believe in the newer sporties the idle starts to go down as the engine temp rises to protect the engine. I am no expert but it is what I have learned on the forum. Considering the low temp of 70 no humidity you are well within the operating temps. You probably will kill the battery by starting it up in between moving a few feet though.
I ride in Dallas very hot and heavy traffic. I have Syn 3 in mine and a temp gauge and it seldom runs higher than 220. I believe in the newer sporties the idle starts to go down as the engine temp rises to protect the engine. I am no expert but it is what I have learned on the forum. Considering the low temp of 70 no humidity you are well within the operating temps. You probably will kill the battery by starting it up in between moving a few feet though.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Central Florida
RE: Is overheating really a risk?
i ride in floriduh. 90-100F all summer. oil temp stays in low 200s even stuck in traffic. if youre really worried, but the oil dipstick with a temp gauge.
[IMG]local://upfiles/36160/85E1D6396EDF445F8B8AB3E50DA778EC.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/36160/85E1D6396EDF445F8B8AB3E50DA778EC.jpg[/IMG]
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: A Boston Yankee in Surrey, England
RE: Is overheating really a risk?
Thanks, guys. I thought about it afterward and figured I was in no real danger but, at the time, it didn't seem to be good for the engine. Good tip on synth and temps, too. Chhers!
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: ft lauderdale fl
RE: Is overheating really a risk?
I always thought that over heating could cause problems in every thing except in the wife or girl friend--sorry the devil made me say that
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: fegfsg
RE: Is overheating really a risk?
you can always find path between traffic and get to the head of the line, thats what i do in those situations. in normal flowing traffic though i dont share lanes.
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Road Warrior
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From:
RE: Is overheating really a risk?
Also, you might want to use higher octane gas during the summer and a lower octane during the cooler months. 91+ burns cooler than 87 and will ping less in high temp/low speed riding.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: A Boston Yankee in Surrey, England
RE: Is overheating really a risk?
Octane may not be a problem. Nothing less than 95 seems to be available over here, although aren't there two different scales? Lane-splitting is something that, as a very new rider, I'm just not comfortable with yet and, given the narrowness of the road in this particular situation, left me with no escape routes so I figured the better part of valor was just to sit it out. Though I did think about it a few times, I must admit.
Photo, same here. Now I know you're in the UK, I'll keep an eye out for you on here. There's another new guy on here from Croydon, as well, who bought himself a second hand 883 last week when I got my 1200C, but I can't remember his name off hand.
Thanks for the tips, guys!
Shawn
Photo, same here. Now I know you're in the UK, I'll keep an eye out for you on here. There's another new guy on here from Croydon, as well, who bought himself a second hand 883 last week when I got my 1200C, but I can't remember his name off hand.
Thanks for the tips, guys!
Shawn