I wonder how hot is too hot. I have been in traffic and watched the ET on the PowerVision go to 325 while sitting in traffic. At what point should I just pull over and turn it off? I don't want to do any lasting damage.

 

got a couple of suggestions although some may actually seem almost dumb.

i ride. 100 degrees, i ride. did old rt 66 last year and it 120 in needles CA. just got back from BRP and 95+ temps. with lots of humidity.

first, the temp is only part, the humidity is what makes you really uncomfortable. give me a dry 120 over a high humidity 100 any day of the week.

next. is it the heat from the bike or the heat from the air that is bad.

for the bike, i find that wearing something heavier on the legs - aka leather - that i don't feel the engine heat even when stopped at a lite. in wearing different jeans i have found that with the thinner ones, i can really feel the heat to the point of it being totally uncomfortable. for longer trips, i will wear shorts with leather overpants and it works fine for me even in high temps and humidity. i will leave the leg zippers open for air flow.

same goes for the feet. heavier boots will shed the heat more. and stay away from cotton socks in boots. they just hold the sweat and make your feet feel clammy. clammy then make you feel hot and uncomfortable.

for the torso. for me, i like to cover the skin. hot air, hot sun, hot bike. covered i can eliminate the hot sun baring down on me. lighter colors help too. i wear a mesh jacket. depending on heat, i will remove it when i stop but overall i leave it on.

i wear a good pair of deerskin gloves and don't feel the heat thru them. very comfortable even in high humidity. plus they protect from searing the hot air into the hands.

again depending on the heat i will wear a wet bandana around the neck. and if really hot will fill with ice. this just seems to help keep cool. and it seems to keep the really hot air out of the jacket.

so what i am saying is to dress for the heat and that doesn't mean to where as little as possible. overall i would rather ride in 60 degrees than 80 degrees. i sweat like a ***** but want to ride so i will dress for it. i have ridden for 10 hours in 105 degrees using what i have written above. yes, when i stop it gets really hot, so take off the jacket and gloves. the other thing is drink a lot of water, stay hydrated.

btw, i also always wear a full face helmet, albiet without the face sheild.

 

I just rode a friend's '08 RK with true duals & dyno tuned for about 4 miles in 98 degrees and I could not believe the heat boiling off that engine. In comparison, my factory stock '94 Dyna feels like an air conditioner compared to that.

I honestly can't imagine riding for any distance in temps above 70 degrees on that RK.

Oh well, since I don't and won't own one, it's just academic for me anyway.

 

Decat'ing def helped but I havent really noticed a whole lot of cooler runnin motor with my PCV with a FM map, but then thats not why I put the PCV on my bike to begin with. Its 88d overnight here in Crematoria where I live. To take a ride and not melt my family jewels off I would need to leave the house around midnight and be back by 6am!

 

Like they say, If you can't stand the heat! Biking is all about being outside. If weather, or the threat of it kept me off the road - well it doesn't! Tough up, or like you said - "Mabey sometime this fall"

Hey, to each his own. If ya need to prove how tough you are by seeing how much discomfort you can take, then have at it.

When I was young & dumb, I thought exactly like that too. Not any more. Been there, done that - and lots more to boot!

Ride safe & stay cool!

 

Fw, youve got your legs wrapped around a 96/103/110? air cooler motor....even your car motor with a radiator will burn the $hit out of ya if you get anywhere near it.......what were you expecting?

 

Like a lot of others, I've bought into the advice that headers, tuners, synthetic oil, fans, etc. - all will work together to make your bike cooler.

But it's still HOT AS HELL. I rode 12 hour straight last year in 106 degree heat, and almost got heat stroke, despite being careful. There's simply not much you can do when it's that hot. I would really like to see some numbers about just how much cooler your bike will run after spending all that money. Will you actually be able to feel the difference?

And for those who complain that it's a Harley issue, it's not. When it's that hot, it doesn't matter what bike you are on. You will suffer. My Goldwing buddies still complain too.

 

No, didn't ride Sunday. My bike went down late Thursday night out on 2920 and has been over at Mancuso Crossroads since Friday. I somehow managed to ride it over there with just a heel shifter. I'm hoping they finish it today.

It's not just the heat here that sucks! The humidity makes the air so thick you practically have to chew it!

 

OP didn't complain about heat, his SO did. Removing the cat will help with radiant heat coming off the engine and hitting her leg. Other than other mods mentioned previously, its kinda the nature of the beast these days. My 80" Evo didn't throw heat like my 103", but still got hot on hot days sitting in traffic/waiting at border crossings. Only true "cure" is to keep moving in the breeze. The other stuff can be worth the $ to help, but will never fully eliminate the issue of sitting on top of an air-cooled scooter.

 

My wife had the same problem. Fuel Moto head pipe, SE air cleaner, Jackpots. 1 inch extenders on passenger boards plus extended board brackets put boards one inch out and 1 inch up. Kurakyn adjustable pegs for her on the highway. She doesn't have any problems now. Motor is still hotter than hell but the heat isn't all concentrated on her right shoe. A happy wife is a happy life.