My 06 meets the Meat Thermometer!

[RibsST1300]

Just for the hell of it, I took a meat thermometer to my 06 abs after my commute home.
Starting out commute, temps in mid-90's bike had not been run for 9 hours.
16 mile commute, 12 miles on interstate followed by 3 miles home on 45mph road, 1 red light.

Keep in mind, this meat thermometer is designed to be immersed in a slab of meat, and gets an accurate reading surrounded 360 degrees. I had ther thermometer held against the bike with my finger..I'm betting temps were higher, I could not hold my hand on the lower frame parts.

Right side, metal frame near-
calf/shin 126
toes 129
Left side, metal frame near-
Calf/shin 126
toes 118

Gas tank where it meets top of seat 113, 111

I've felt much more severe crotch heat after a day of exploring, stopping along the way for breaks and keeping speeds under 60. Kind of like the bike gets heat soaked...

Anyhow-I ordered a heat barrier blanket from Summit racing, that comes next week-let's see what it will do..layerd mylar/ceramic insulation/then foil.

My feet and legs don't feel so bad-it's my "chestnut roasting over an open fire" that's really buggin me!

[lbo]

Please share what you learn with us. I really want to reduce the "chestnut" effect.
LBO

[rider13]

Please let me know how it worked for you.

[Tiny]

But there IS no heat issue on the 1300! ;) ;) ;)

[nm6r]

Obviously, you guys aren't going fast enough.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[hojo in sc]

Obviously, you guys aren't going fast enough.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

I'm with ya on that Ray. Couple of times yesterday I thought I would have to pull over and repaint the bike to change my profile :D

[milkmaster]

I have the seat set on the highest position to accomodate my long legs. That means the space between the seat and the tank is widest. The heat gets rowdy after a while riding. I have solved it somewhat by rolling up a terry cloth towel and putting it between the seat and the tank while riding. I don't bother with it during short runs, but it sure helps on long rides. I even tried it wet, but it dries out quickly and gets hot before it dries.

[George]

There is a available from JCWhitless (and prolly other places but I've never looked) a foam filled, STicky backed foil tape made 'specially for insulating "hot spots". I would think it would be perfect for sealing up under the plaSTic seams. Anyone tried anything like this?

I have a problem on ReSTored (91 ST1100) with heat escaping at the seams around the seat/tank-cover/knee-panels because the fairing sub-frame is not perfectly aligned. I felt it especially laST Saturday while running across Oklahoma with the heat index at 108F. Couldn't let my knee touch the plaSTic, had to keep some air gap. Never had this problem on STick, where the panels fit together better.

George - STOC 004
in Kingman, Arizona

[ajpags]

Hey Ribs...

Can you post a link of the product you got from Summit? I definitely need to figure something out as well.

My only 2 complaints about the ST:

Weight - not a problem once under way, but a total pain for short guys
Heat - I know, keep telling me it's in my head. ;-)

[EASt]

I'm more curious to know what the correct temperature was for Medium Rare versus Well Done? ;)

[tdeboeser]

From this Sprint ST:

tail piece plastic behind seat = 123.2
right side frame - next to thigh = 134.8
right side frame - next to ankle = 136.6
left side frame - next to thigh = 129.4
left side frame - next to ankle = 127.4

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/showthread.php?t=87062 <---- taken from YASTHT ( Yet Another ST Heat Thread )


Tom de

[RibsST1300]

Hey Ribs...

Can you post a link of the product you got from Summit? I definitely need to figure something out as well.

My only 2 complaints about the ST:

Weight - not a problem once under way, but a total pain for short guys
Heat - I know, keep telling me it's in my head. ;-)


I got part # THE-14100 Cool-it mat 24x48.($25.88)
I'm going to install it this weekend under gastank & seat area. So stay tuned-don't spend your$$ yet!!
It's mylar/fiberglas/re-enforced heavy foil layered. I'm slightly disapointed, it was described in some places as a Ceramic-silica high density insulation-but it's really just fiberglass.

Try this link
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=THE%2D14100&N=1003+115&autoview=sku

I installed it tonight. Will test ride this weekend or early next week.

[pmorritt]

Going down to MotoGP this sunday. Should be quite hot. Guess i'll ride my STeed instead of the car:D :D :D :D :biker:
\
Rather be sittin on a warm V4 than in an A/C car.

[RibsST1300]

Please share what you learn with us. I really want to reduce the "chestnut" effect.
LBO


Well very preliminary-6 mile ride. I'll do a longer ride when the BOSS allows.
I did not feel any hot air coming around the gas tank & seat, only out the side vents..seat and underseat were cool.

Now lets see if it lasts on a long ride...

[RibsST1300]

Well..it did not fix the problem, it might of helped a little. Don't waste your time with the modification I did.
It took me a whole night to take off the seats, gas tank, body panels, ect..to ad this fiberglass & mylar and foil heat barrier.

I road about 65 miles today in 83 degree temp, and I roasted AGAIN!:mad:

I went gloveless with my left hand to feel for the heat source. The heat appears to be in 2 forms-first, the transfered/radiated heat that finds it's way throughall the metal. and second, the hot air windblast coming out the engine vent areas.

I felt a lot of heat coming out the vents just below my knees, the airflow brought it up to the front of my knee, up to heat the top of my upper leg. It also blasted the side of the tank like a torch, right below the gas tank crease/overhang near the knee. By the time I was done, the bottom of my tank-freshly loaded with cool gas from underground, was extremly hot-the top of my tank in full sun was a good 20 degrees colder than the bottom(BLACK 06 tank).

When I got home, I hopped right off the bike and started checking things..the bottom of my seat was warm, but not unbearably hot, the fibergall insulation was hot, and hotter 1 layer down. The seat adjuster mount was TOO HOT TO HOLD! the only way this could of got hot is from heat transfer from the bolts, since it is surrounded with insulation-even a layer between it and the frame. Of course the silver aluminum frame was too hot to hold for more than a second...

I walked over to my Shadow ACE 750 that my wife just took on the same trip and showed her the difference. I could not feel any heat on her tank, I could even leave my hand on the valve covers with no pain... She was suprised at the heat difference and understands my whining now...

I'm about ready to sell this dang thing..I can't enjoy my time on it, so what's the use?:mad:

End of rant...other than YEAH, there is a heat problem-you'll never convince me otherwise.

[ironox]

I just returned from my first long distance mult day ride on my new ST. Yes, it's quite discouraging to find the bike rides has hot as it does. I believe that the major source of my discomfort (IMHO), is the heat generated by the exhaust headers themselves. Heat found in other areas of the bike are not a problem for me. My feet and shins get very warm. Honda seemed to have cured the heat on the Wing in that area, maybe a very slight mod to the exhaust header and fairing could cure this area as well, no? Perhaps I'll duct tape the lower exhaust header fairing vent shut, and measure the temperature in the foot area - after the bike is at full operating temperature of course. However, I expect the tape may melt at some point.

[Pred8tor]

My feet and shins get very warm.

What kind of gear are you wearing on your feet and shins?

[SteveST1300]

Get the wind deflectors they keep any heat away from your legs. When its hot out she feels hot but I dont have any heat problem. When you ride a bike in 90 deg weather its just hot!:03biker:

[naturally wired]

Guy's there only two things that work bring your knees away from the tank about 6"s or so then point your toes out about at a 45 degree angle for a few...........or run down hill with the engine off all the time......your sitting on top of a 1300cc engine thats running!!!!!!!!!!!!


No really the second thing would be to go naked :butt1: .....no the bike silly:chop1:

[Polovision]

I'm waiting for the normal temps to go down (108 here today) before I return to the heat problem (or lack of.)

[STirps]

I'm waiting for the normal temps to go down (108 here today) before I return to the heat problem (or lack of.)


Currently at 3:18 PM sunny Temp: 102° F RealFeel®: 110° F
Yeah I have some heat issues. I call it High Desert.

[ironox]

Jeff,

I wear a Roadcrafter one piece Aerostich (sp) suit and Sidi boots. I bought my bike used, and it came with the wind deflector kit attached. I took it off, hoping it would help. It did not. I'll keep the bike though, It does everything else very well.

[Pred8tor]

I wear a Roadcrafter one piece Aerostich (sp) suit and Sidi boots.

How high are your boots? Mine cover my shins well, and I feel no heat on ankles and shins. My feet get warm, but that's to be expected in 90-100 degree heat. I certainly feel no discomfort.

[RibsST1300]

By the way all-my main complaint is the heat coming out of the top side vents near the valve covers, and blasting off my kneecaps and up my legs into my crotch. My lower gas tank is burning hot, the top ofthe tank is cool in the direct sun

My ankles and lower legs get warm, but my boots(Harley's) protect me.

I think I am going to look at deflecting the air blast-either with the Honda deflectors or a home brew solution.

Take you left glove off and see if you are getting a furnace blast to the kneecap and side of the tank at 60mph...

[Pred8tor]

My lower gas tank is burning hot, the top ofthe tank is cool in the direct sun

When I first got my ST I tended to hug the tank with my knees - and that direct contact with a warm tank was noticable. I no longer do that - I relax my legs and they seldom touch the sides of the tank any longer. I can also move my knees out into the airstream and that provides more air cooling, unless the temps are close to 100, in which case the hot air is not comfortable at all.

You don't want to come into contact with any warms parts of the bike. The parts of the fairing that protects the shins will get warm - keep off of that, too.

[STumpy]

I.......It's mylar/fiberglas/re-enforced heavy foil layered. I'm slightly disapointed, it was described in some places as a Ceramic-silica high density insulation-but it's really just fiberglass........


If it is "temp-mat", that fiberglass is good for 1200 F. Ceramic is used for temps ranging between that and as high as 2200 F. Ceramic is an overkill for this application, plus many companies stay clear of ceramic insulation because of the potential health risks. The key is twofold -- Density and thickness of the material. This stuff is not like TIW or the stuff you buy at Home Depot. It is an especially dense glass woven cloth. Usually requires a silicone cloth cover.

A division of my company has manufactured these type of blankets for many years now. We do turbo chargers, manifolds and all special heat application problems for diesel, natural gas, and gas turbine applications.

[Coop]

There's a heat issue with the ST? Maybe you should roll the windows up and turn on the air-conditioner. LOL!!

[lorenzell]

I agree that there is plenty of heat coming off the engine. When I first got the bike this year, the heat was really bad on my feet and ankles. I figured the whole system just needs better air flow through the engine compt. I have made one simple change that has helped considerably. I took off the covers over the crash bars for the summer. Now its pretty comfy, up to about 95. Then its just plain hot. I also bought a new Tour Master jacket with the removeable liner. Great airflow. 86 degrees the other day was just perfect riding. By the end of the ride 91 was getting a little uncomfortable, but not bad. Frankly, I think I was getting more heat off the asphault than the ST. Also, I ride with the windshield pretty low to keep the heat down. But its Texas. Its summer. Its HOT!!!

[Tor]

Heat, what heat? :confused: . I don't have a heat problem. Well maybe I do, but I just don't feel it. Of course I always ride in my top notch Oxtar Infinity boots, which go plum up to just below the knees. At a red light, yes, I feel heat on a 95 degr. day. But I felt heat on all my previous bikes too,,, on a hot day. So I don't know what to say, other than my 05 must be different than your 06, (of course it is, its red, and faster) or,,,,,my perception of heat is different than yours. I can feel some heat at speed too, but nothing that really bothers me.

[ajaugust]

Here ya go...
Heat issue is resolved.
All kidding aside...
The heat we all feel and complain about is mostly due to the air flow mamagement, or the lack of, on our ST's. Sure, the eingine is going to CREATE the heat, but the lack of proper managment of the heat and how it is, or is not, directed from the rider is what the real issue.
12097 12098 12099 12100

[Tor]

Here ya go...
Heat issue is resolved.
All kidding aside...
The heat we all feel and complain about is mostly due to the air flow mamagement, or the lack of, on our ST's. Sure, the eingine is going to CREATE the heat, but the lack of proper managment of the heat and how it is, or is not, directed from the rider is what the real issue.

Now that is ONE majorly hacked ST.

[Mike in Toledo]

I complained about the heat factor about 6 weeks ago. Since then I put a sargent seat on and removed the inner cowling. The sargent must seal better because I get no heat coming near my chestnuts. I do believe the best thing I did was remove the inner cowling; little heat eminating from around the seat, storage compartments not hot, and you can feel the extra rush of cool air coming through the bike. The only heat I am now getting is on my feet which I can live with, unless my boots start melting.

[emshaferii]

sorry guys, only warm here....I even ride occassionally in tennis shoes and shorts without issue (I'm not a tough guy, BTW)....definately feel some warmth, but hell, I'm sitting on a motor the size of many in the small cars that pass me......I think it's a miracle it's as cool as it is (especially in 103 heat of Aug)......I don't see what all the complaints are about....