Ah ha, we finally get to the real reason for the heat. It's always comes back to the hydrocarbons..............
What's with the heat?
- Thread starter Raviera_rider
- Start date
Ah ha, we finally get to the real reason for the heat. It's always comes back to the hydrocarbons..............
AARRGGHH! Stick a fork in this, cause it's done! 
HAHAHA! I thought I was the only one who filled up often because the nice cool gas in the top tank is a welcome relief from the heat!!!
I put the fairing deflectors on, also. Heat isn't too bad of a problem!!!
I put the fairing deflectors on, also. Heat isn't too bad of a problem!!!
OK, I felt compelled to respond (My first post for that matter). I've been abit of a lurker since I purchased my '06 back in August. The mods have'nt quit since....anyway, I too noticed the heat right off and nothing gets hotter than Georgia asphalt in August 'cept my shins. I did alot of surfing through the various sites (including this one of course). and came up with the best sure fire method to alleviate the heat issue. Remove the inner fairings.
Anyone who says the outers won't hangon over triple digit speeds is, IMHO, wrong. Done it plenty of times with no ill side effects what so ever. I took them off after my second ride and put them on the shelf. Without a doubt the biggest fix you can make to avert the heat.....and don't worry about the radiator getting enough air....it will.
Coating the pipes will give minimal relief and I speak from experience on this one. I'm sure someone can come up with some raw numbers for temp reduction but methinks its cost verses outcome is too high. Wrapping the pipes is another possibility but the engineer types tell me this holds in to much heat on the pipes and they get far hotter than they should ultimately resulting in premature cracking of the pipes and welds as they were not designed to retain so much heat. I dunno but it sounds reasonable.
To recap.......Remove the inners and you will be extremely pleased!!!!
Anyone who says the outers won't hangon over triple digit speeds is, IMHO, wrong. Done it plenty of times with no ill side effects what so ever. I took them off after my second ride and put them on the shelf. Without a doubt the biggest fix you can make to avert the heat.....and don't worry about the radiator getting enough air....it will.
Coating the pipes will give minimal relief and I speak from experience on this one. I'm sure someone can come up with some raw numbers for temp reduction but methinks its cost verses outcome is too high. Wrapping the pipes is another possibility but the engineer types tell me this holds in to much heat on the pipes and they get far hotter than they should ultimately resulting in premature cracking of the pipes and welds as they were not designed to retain so much heat. I dunno but it sounds reasonable.
To recap.......Remove the inners and you will be extremely pleased!!!!
Since I don't have a service manual yet, what are the "inner" fairings and how do I get to them? I fear I must find them quickly, as it is warming up here in Bakersfield more rapidly than usual.
They are the two part black plastic pieces that surround the radiator, that is to say on the left and right side of the radiator. Don't bother trying to modify them or the like.....you'll just have to buy new ones when you sell the bike then. As I mentioned before, I have had them out for some time now with no ill effects (My shin bone toasted the first ride, but no more!).
You can do a search on this website and find mucho info regarding this as well.
Happy Trails!!
You can do a search on this website and find mucho info regarding this as well.
Happy Trails!!
I think you may be on to something there. I experienced the same thing, but couldn't corelate the windshield height to the level of heat. I have a clearview windshield with center vent coming on March 27th so I'll be able to do a little experiment.
Paul....
You better get back on that Yahoo VFR site where you belong!!!!!
You making the switch too????
Joe
Man, its exactly these discussions that are making me shy away from a new ST I've got an '04 FJR and I don't want heat any more. Don't really notice it until its about 85+ (but in Kali its over 85 a lot - prime summer roadtrips). Sweaty balls aren't a huge deal, but I just don't feel like dealing with it. Wished Honda would've stepped up like the other companies who keep improving their ST bikes (Yamaha & BMW come to mind). Might as well pick up an 06 or 07 FJR - where the heat "issue" has been eliminated.
We'll see.
I've got an '04 FJR and I don't want heat any more. Don't really notice it until its about 85+ (but in Kali its over 85 a lot - prime summer roadtrips). Sweaty balls aren't a huge deal, but I just don't feel like dealing with it. Wished Honda would've stepped up like the other companies who keep improving their ST bikes (Yamaha & BMW come to mind). Might as well pick up an 06 or 07 FJR - where the heat "issue" has been eliminated. We'll see.
I have run my 04 ST for 48K and have never had a real heat problem. It does not produce any more heat than any other bike I've owned. Most of the heat that I feel comes from the vent at the heads. I can feel some raise in temperature around my knees. I run with the Aeroflow windsdreen up about 1-1.5 in from the bottom. I can feel a slight raise in temperature behind the windscreen.
Now for the purpose of my post. I buy exhaust thermal insulation in bulk for some of the turbo stuff we do. About a week ago I desided to insulate the exhaust on my ST.
This is one of the best things that I have done!!! Now there is a lack of temperature. My knees have been cold for the first time in 3 years.
It works so well that I have put together an insulation kit with the proper amount of insulation and the right sized clamps to do the job.
Again, I have never had a heat problem, but with insulating the exhaust the ride has become far more comfortable.
Anyone in the area is welcome to come by and take my ST for a trial run.
http://www.turbocity.com/product_info.php?cPath=64&products_id=631
The last picture is after it is heated/run. It does darken some.
Thanks Tom
You guys don't miss much! The zip ties are part of the "engineering" of the kit. The kit comes with stainless clamps.
Now for the purpose of my post. I buy exhaust thermal insulation in bulk for some of the turbo stuff we do. About a week ago I desided to insulate the exhaust on my ST.
This is one of the best things that I have done!!! Now there is a lack of temperature. My knees have been cold for the first time in 3 years.
It works so well that I have put together an insulation kit with the proper amount of insulation and the right sized clamps to do the job.
Again, I have never had a heat problem, but with insulating the exhaust the ride has become far more comfortable.
Anyone in the area is welcome to come by and take my ST for a trial run.
http://www.turbocity.com/product_info.php?cPath=64&products_id=631
The last picture is after it is heated/run. It does darken some.
Thanks Tom
You guys don't miss much! The zip ties are part of the "engineering" of the kit. The kit comes with stainless clamps.
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I've been wanting to do this, but was not sure how much wrap and parts to buy. It looks like you got it all packaged at a good price too!
Tom-do you have a selection of wrap colors? -I was thinking about black...is the one you show considered silver?
Tom-do you have a selection of wrap colors? -I was thinking about black...is the one you show considered silver?
Just my humble observations from someone else who lives where it tends to get HOT!!!!!!
Proper riding boots and pants will definitely help on the heat problem on the lower legs and ankles. Last summer, I simply removed the covers for the tip over bars, in a simple effort to get more ventilation through the engine compartment and it seemed to help quite a bit.
Also, the Clearview windshield will affect the handling, in a very positive way. We get a lot of wind here in west Texas. I don't know why, but the wind seems to have less affect on the bike with the Clearview. I also upgraded to a Sargent seat, and a Olympia Jacket, riding now is a 100% joy.
Just my 2 cents.
Loren Zell
Americans: People who buy things they don't need with money they don't have to impress people they don't like.
Proper riding boots and pants will definitely help on the heat problem on the lower legs and ankles. Last summer, I simply removed the covers for the tip over bars, in a simple effort to get more ventilation through the engine compartment and it seemed to help quite a bit.
Also, the Clearview windshield will affect the handling, in a very positive way. We get a lot of wind here in west Texas. I don't know why, but the wind seems to have less affect on the bike with the Clearview. I also upgraded to a Sargent seat, and a Olympia Jacket, riding now is a 100% joy.
Just my 2 cents.
Loren Zell
Americans: People who buy things they don't need with money they don't have to impress people they don't like.
The insulation material that we use only comes "natural" a tan color when new and a darker tan when heated. When the fairings are installed you can not see the exhaust.
Thanks for your interest. Tom
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Some things take a while to get to. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions on my heat issue. Especially the helpful comments from dduelin. Here we are three years later with many of your ideas implimented, and, there has been some improvement. Very recently, I replaced the stock mufflers with Staintunes. That seemed to have some effect standing still at idle. I'm guessing that catalytic converters were located at he head of the original mufflers. That would explain some extra heat standing still. I wouldn't run out and by Staintunes for that purpose. I got them because they sound and look cool. My wife still doesn't know I spent that kind of money! [A benefit of having a non rider spouse.] Any temperature benifit is a plus.
Longest single day ride sofar, 700 miles (Copper Butt). Northeast Georgia to Lake Park (West Palm Beach) Florida. Still don't see the need for a 'Wing! My best to everyone, ride safe and don't stop until you have to.
Some things take a while to get to. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions on my heat issue. Especially the helpful comments from dduelin. Here we are three years later with many of your ideas implimented, and, there has been some improvement. Very recently, I replaced the stock mufflers with Staintunes. That seemed to have some effect standing still at idle. I'm guessing that catalytic converters were located at he head of the original mufflers. That would explain some extra heat standing still. I wouldn't run out and by Staintunes for that purpose. I got them because they sound and look cool. My wife still doesn't know I spent that kind of money! [A benefit of having a non rider spouse.] Any temperature benifit is a plus. Longest single day ride sofar, 700 miles (Copper Butt). Northeast Georgia to Lake Park (West Palm Beach) Florida. Still don't see the need for a 'Wing! My best to everyone, ride safe and don't stop until you have to.
scootac
Will Ride for Food
Best way to fix it is move outta Florida!!!!!!
+1 on the inner cowling removal. My 07 also produced an uncomfortable amount of heat in 80+ temps. Removing the inner cowlings did the trick for me very well.
As an added measure to address any possible structural integrity issue that removing the inner cowlings might have caused, I used plastic covered wire to secure the lower fairing panels to the location where the inner cowlings attach below the headlight.
As an added measure to address any possible structural integrity issue that removing the inner cowlings might have caused, I used plastic covered wire to secure the lower fairing panels to the location where the inner cowlings attach below the headlight.
I don't get it. I have over 63k miles on my 07. I live in an area of cali where the average summer temp is about 90 degrees +.
What heat issue?
Next some one will complain there isn't a gear indicator.
What heat issue?
Next some one will complain there isn't a gear indicator.
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Didn't the 04 and later have a metal shield attached to the lower cowling and openings in the tip-over wing covers that helped the post 03 bikes operate cooler to the rider?