Get Real on this never ending HEAT thing

[pmorritt]

I am sooooooo tired of this constant whining about engine heat. (Anyone else with me here) READ--YOU"RE SITTING ON A MOTOR". Ok, better now. Just read this on sport touring net. Read it and enjoy life.

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/showthread.php?t=87062

[naturally wired]

:rolleyes: +1.......maybe its just to many years spent in air conditioned cages :rolleyes:

[pmorritt]

:rolleyes: +1.......maybe its just to many years spent in air conditioned cages :rolleyes:

"and as I shifted into 6th...I coundn't remember a thing she said..."

Now that's a Quote I can live with. :) :) :)

[ligito]

No wonder so many ST'ers want a 6th gear.:D

[frayne]

Currently ride a 94 Magna and have a ST on my wish list radar screen. Two months ago rode an 05 ST1300 a couple hundred miles around the Chattanooga, North Carolina area in 95°F+ heat from the hours of 12 till 6 PM. Didn't think the heat was an issue at all.

[nm6r]

I am sooooooo tired of this constant whining about engine heat. (Anyone else with me here) READ--YOU"RE SITTING AN A MOTOR". Ok, better now. Just read this on sport touring net. Read it and enjoy life.

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/showthread.php?t=87062


Thank you. Why is it the grass is always greener...?

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

[Mellow]

Thank you. Why is it the grass is always greener...?

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

Probably because there's rain... we need rain.... :D It sure is brown on my side of the fence.

[ccryder]

What heat????? After all, it's called an "internal combustion" engine. Why should there be any external heat?????

Hell yesterday at 100deg, I was getting more heat off the pavement than anywhere else!

Time4Work.

Neil S.

[STony G]

...READ--YOU"RE SITTING AN A MOTOR". Ok, better now....[/url]

See, my shrink always says "it's not good to hold your feelings in". I guess he was right...you feel better now.

[Mellow]

You know it's hot when you stop at a light, put your boot down... and it comes up slow like you have gum stuck to it... only, It's not gum, it's BOOT

[Jim C-G]

We've only had a few 28-30 degree centigrade days up here so far this summer. So, I really can't talk about the heat - but it is an engine - OK- does anyone make a magnetic coffee perkolater that I can attach to one of the access ports? Where is the best place to put tinfoil wrapped trout and what are the recommended riding times to get it properly poached? No squirrels up here, but could use same info on chipmunks (I know, little small and chewy) and rabbits (actually hares here - decent meal from road kill). I do know there are road kill cook books for cars and pickups - maybe we can start a thread on ST dining in motion?

[ChucksKLRST]

What heat????? After all, it's called an "internal combustion" engine. Why should there be any external heat?????

Hell yesterday at 100deg, I was getting more heat off the pavement than anywhere else!

Time4Work.

Neil S.

It going to be 111 deg here today, Yesterday it was 109, tomorrow it will be 109. Any motorcycle one rides is going to be HOT, Hell, my cage is hot. Air cond. cant keep up with the heat.:03biker:

[daddysbike]

It's fully faired and it's hot!
So was my CBR600 , VFR and currently my GL1800. My VTX is not!
That being said, my '04 ST1300 was worse than any of them, like a hair dryer blowing on your legs making me even hotter when temps over 85 and really warm over 90. I sold it late '04 and am considering another sport tourer to add to wing and VTX. I must admit that heat is not a problem on the RT's. I can tolerate the heat on the wing, its really not that bad, I think its mostly from the incredible wind protection that it provides you don't get any air blowing on you. I do miss my ST sometimes (when I want to ride hard in the mtns) and am thinking about another though I may just add a XR or DR(Z) and ride all the great fire roads in the mtns.
The ST's heat is a good thing in the colder weather but I have the wing for that. I may go FJR if the '06 is truly fixed but know I'll be riding toooo fast tooooo much.

Steve

[NoGall]

YOU"RE SITTING ON A MOTOR".



+1

Every bike, regardless of manufacturer and type, has its share of heat-related complaints. Maybe it's because I wear full gear... but I am just not feeling the heat.

[STirps]

230 miles 104 degrees. I didn't notice the heat. Last time I rode a Beemer it sure seemed like there were cylinders right in front and on top of my feet and ankles. That's heat. The ST is exactly like ridding an air conditioner only different. Hell it was 104 degrees when I took the picture to the left.

[Polovision]

:tent6: Oh, I thought you were talking about the Heat wave here (over 100 degrees outside.)

Like I said, mine doesn't give off heat or wobble or like to stop for breaks.

[B727AV8R]

Heat from a motorcycle is nothing compared to the heat I got from the wife, who is now an exwife:-)

[TOM BOGNAR]

:BDH: Here we go again

[vintagemxr]

Maybe the site needs it's own special forum. The Admin's could write a script that automatically moves any messages containing any combination of the words "heat" "legs" "engine" "motor" to a special forum entitled "Old News and Dead Horses." ;)

:biker:

[mather3]

I drilled holes in mine last weekend and the lack of heat in the front boxes is unbelievable. Wish I had done this a few months ago. Very easy and worth while.

[Jollymon24]

My only beef with this heat issue is the temp inside my left glove box. I've read posts about destroying the inner cowls with holes for venting. Does this really do the trick to keep the contents of the glove box from melting?


I like that heat.....

I will put snickers bars in there and wait for them to get all warm and gooie :eat1:

Works well for warming poor boy sandwhiches.

[Burger]

Maybe the site needs it's own special forum. The Admin's could write a script that automatically moves any messages containing any combination of the words "heat" "legs" "engine" "motor" to a special forum entitled "Old News and Dead Horses." ;)

:biker:

Already exists! It's called known issues/concerns right where this post is :D Still, if people want to keep re-hashing the same subjects after reading all the previous discussions and responses... go right ahead :rolleyes:

Regards,

[ajaugust]

Sorry for continuing this thread... and this issue. But I gotta tell ya, someone is missing the que hear....:confused:
Sure, we have an ENGINE that runs this bike... it can be any bike. But we happen to be referencing our ST's.
The fact that there is a fairing to promote aerodynamics for efficiency, handling, and rider protection does not have to be at the expense of mismanaging the heat that is generated.

Holy crap...!! What did he say...???
"Mismanaging the heat....!" What is he... a corporate calamitist?!

Guys, just work with me on this for a moment...
This is the main issue, i.e., mismanaging the heat that is generated by the ENGINE.
Drilling holes in the cowls or taking them off completely, simply dilutes the effects of the problem, i.e., it mixes ambient air captured in front of your bike with the air drawn through the radiator. When I drilled over 250 3/8" holes in each of my cowls, I did not solve the heat issue, I simply diluted the problem! The heat problem still exists. (Does anyone remember, "The solution to pollution is dilution"? Sorry for the digression.)

To bring this to a point...
This is what I suggest everyone to do who is going to ride their ST bikes this weekend. It will not matter if you live in Upper Peninsula of Michigan, SoCal, New Jersey, or in your geographic location.

Get on to a reasonably clear road.
Get up to, say, 50, 60, 70 MPH.
Take you left hand and carefully lower to the area behind your left leg, somewhere between the back of your knee and your ankle.
Keep your right hand on the throttle.
Keep your eyes on the road.
Keep in mind that you will be lowering your hand within the vicinity of the rear suspension knob.
Do this with a gloved hand.
Then do the same thing without the glove your hand.
As you are traveling along at whatever speed, you will be "inserting" your hand into a "dead zone" of "still" air, or at least it will feel that way. It does not take a superbly intelligent and well educated individual to discover the heat I think most of us are complaining about. This area of retained air that is made hot from the ENGINE is NOT being allowed to go away! Within the confines of science and aerodynamics, that even NASCAR junkies are beginning to understand, this hot air is actually in a low pressure zone that is being replenished by the air streaming out of the opening where the suspension knob is located. The same thing, of course, happens on the other side. Thanks to our fairings, the air that is being brought into this area where your left hand is located is being heated by the ENGINE. All I can say at this point is that Mother Honda stopped engineering. They did not address the air in this area and how it was going to be replenished due to the low pressure created by the fairing. They were very likely, and simply, depending on "ambient" air to fill in this low pressure zone. Well, the easiest air to be captured is the same air that has already gone past parts of the engine, probably some air from the radiator, of course the exhaust headers, engine frame, etc. To cut it short here (oh thank god...), this is the heat most of us are addressing right now.

Given that all riders are subject to varying degrees of tolerance which will define comfort or discomfort is what most of these heat threads are about. Some riders wear enough riding gear to not feel the effects of the ENGINE heat as soon as those who ride, say, in their jeans. What I wish everyone to come away from reading this response is the heat you feel on your hand this weekend is frickin' real. Some can just tolerate it more than others.

BTW, if you do not feel the heat on your hand, please, oh please, post a response. Or, start a new thread, "I did NOT feel the heat on my Hand". You will likely get offers to buy your bike :D !!
Ride safe...

[montyshaw]

Thanks Alan, good post.

+1 on the hot air there

]Monty[

PS I think that part of the evaluation of this as a 'heat problem' with the bike is what you rode prior to the ST. For me, I came from a PC800 with absolutely the best heat management, as in no warm motor air collecting around the legs or crotch. So I noticed the warm air on the ST immediately. Other bikes exist that throw more heat, so coming from one of them to the ST, a person would love how cool the ST is.

[tdeboeser]

Sure is a lot to do, to find heat....:D.


Tom de

[tccox]

Alan


Not sure i really want to try that, sounds sorta dangerous but sounds like you're telling us that if we put our hands down above a hot exhaust pipe and behind a 1300 cc engine we're gonna feel some heat. Well, yeah.

All I know is My ST has less of a heat problem than my last bike , a 2002 R1150RA and for that matter less of a heat problem than most bikes I've owned or ridden.

[ajpags]

Being a relatively new ST owner, but a guy who has been cross country, owned a wing, has 5 bikes in the garage, road raced, and has around 250k miles under his belt at the ripe old age of 36, I find it hard to believe that people dismiss the heat issue.

Apparently, some bikes don't have it, or some people just don't notice. My '03 cooks my ankles at anything above 80 ambient temps. I ride in typical sportbike posture with the balls of my feet on the pegs, and the only way to get relief is through moving my feet outward on the pegs, and to have the arch of my foot on them. Unacceptable, and uncomfortable for me. This is with the front inner cowl pieces removed as well.

Yes, the source of the heat is from the opening in the peg mount brackets (where the preload knob is). The frame itself is also extremely hot as a direct result. I'm going to experiment with some heat blocking materials in this area, but of course my fear is fading the rear shock dramatically.

I'd love to ride someone's bike that doesn't have this problem so I can really compare and determine if it's my bike, or just an ST thing. Anyone in PA?

For the record, My 85 wing didn't provide this much heat, even with your foot being pretty much under the motor. - nor did a slew of other bikes which were higher strung than the ST - FZR400's an R6, R1, 2 TL1000s, an FZR6 or three, my WR250f or even the Concours.

Pags

[DaveH]

The ST has heat issues??? :confused:

Dave :usflag1:

[vintagemxr]

Already exists! It's called known issues/concerns right where this post is :D Still, if people want to keep re-hashing the same subjects after reading all the previous discussions and responses... go right ahead :rolleyes:

Regards,

Ah Burger, you missed my point. It's the script you need to write to bury "dead horse" topics in the ST-Owners.com basement that's the key to the whole thing! Get to work! :D

[ajaugust]

Apparently, some bikes don't have it, or some people just don't notice. My '03 cooks my ankles at anything above 80 ambient temps. I ride in typical sportbike posture with the balls of my feet on the pegs, and the only way to get relief is through moving my feet outward on the pegs, and to have the arch of my foot on them. Unacceptable, and uncomfortable for me. This is with the front inner cowl pieces removed as well.

Yes, the source of the heat is from the opening in the peg mount brackets (where the preload knob is). The frame itself is also extremely hot as a direct result. I'm going to experiment with some heat blocking materials in this area, but of course my fear is fading the rear shock dramatically.

I'd love to ride someone's bike that doesn't have this problem so I can really compare and determine if it's my bike, or just an ST thing. Anyone in PA?

For the record, My 85 wing didn't provide this much heat, even with your foot being pretty much under the motor. - nor did a slew of other bikes which were higher strung than the ST - FZR400's an R6, R1, 2 TL1000s, an FZR6 or three, my WR250f or even the Concours.

Pags
Pags,
I truly believe you understand this whole heat issue. My ankles, calves, and the backs of my knees feel like they are next to a Bar Bee Que grill.... A Honda Hibachi!! And, the surfaces of my legs are NOT anywhere near the exhaust pipes, headers, or radiators. The area in that zone of low pressure is being neutralized with air from inside the fairing. The exposed exhaust pipes and mufflers are not inside the fairing. Everything else that creates heat or gets hot, retains and distributes heat, like the frame members, is enclosed by the fairings. There is no pressure one way or the other inside the fairing, so it is easy to draw air from inside the fairing by such things as the low pressure zone created behind our legs while we are traveling under speed.
YES, anything over 80 degrees F is felt there as heat and continues to get worse as the temps rise.
Yamaha's new FJR appears by way of their ad campaign has made an attempt to correct their mismanagement of heat on their bike. I think the most important point with Yamaha is that fact that they ADMIT there is a problem and have a solution they say will work. So far, Mother frickin' Honda has not even come close to mentioning there is a heat problem!!
This thread was started because someone was tired of hearing about heat. Holy crap!!! The ST1300 is into its third year of production.... and we still have the problem!!!!! I say let the heat issue never be placed on the back burner, no pun like thing intended here.

[nm6r]

Yamaha's new FJR appears by way of their ad campaign has made an attempt to correct their mismanagement of heat on their bike. I think the most important point with Yamaha is that fact that they ADMIT there is a problem and have a solution they say will work. So far, Mother frickin' Honda has not even come close to mentioning there is a heat problem!!
This thread was started because someone was tired of hearing about heat. Holy crap!!! The ST1300 is into its third year of production.... and we still have the problem!!!!! I say let the heat issue never be placed on the back burner, no pun like thing intended here.

The ST is actually in it's fourth year of production. The FJR had many more problems to correct than just heat and it's heat problem was incredibly serious. The FJR was out before the ST so it's about time Yamaha did something. hmmm. Did you notice they made it as much like the ST as possible? Even then they blew it.

I know, the grass is always greener... Maybe it's time to sell the Honda Hibachi and get a new FJR.

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

[sherob]

My understanding is Honda made some changes after the 03 model to address engine heat... shielding was put in. ;)

[Killtimer]

Yes, the source of the heat is from the opening in the peg mount brackets (where the preload knob is). The frame itself is also extremely hot as a direct result.Pags

The frame gets hot because it's bolted directly to the engine block, the engine being a stressed frame component......no rubber mounts or insulators. With only moderate air flow over the exposed portions, eventually the frame and the block are going to be almost the same temp. Once you get aluminium hot it takes a lot of energy to cool it down.

[Putt]

Rode from St. George, Utah to Lost Wages Nv. temp was 114 degrees,
was riding two up..... Neither I nor the wife were bothered by any heat
off the bike..... bike is an '04...


Putt...

[ajaugust]

Rode from St. George, Utah to Lost Wages Nv. temp was 114 degrees,
was riding two up..... Neither I nor the wife were bothered by any heat
off the bike..... bike is an '04...


Putt...

Putt,
I've learned that you have a way with you..., and I like your way.
So I must ask, were you "off the bike" when you were not bothered by the heat? If so, you are so clever :D

[ajaugust]

My understanding is Honda made some changes after the 03 model to address engine heat... shielding was put in. ;)

What ever Honda did, it is not nearly enough to stop filling the low pressure zone with hot air created by the engine that is surrounding the rider's legs.

[ajaugust]

The ST is actually in it's fourth year of production. The FJR had many more problems to correct than just heat and it's heat problem was incredibly serious. The FJR was out before the ST so it's about time Yamaha did something. hmmm. Did you notice they made it as much like the ST as possible? Even then they blew it.

I know, the grass is always greener... Maybe it's time to sell the Honda Hibachi and get a new FJR.

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

With the advent of more and more ST type bikes being introduced by other moco's, it will always seem that the grass is greener. That's what the marketing people are good at..., making it look greener on their side.
You know what, there is no bad reason for anyone to make any excuses about riding a better bike, especially if the flaw they experienced from their previous bike is addressed and fixed. It might be the next model year, or a brand new model from a different moco. Sometimes, all it would take is a new attitude by a giant like Honda to admit a problem, fix it, and market it so the grass stays green on their side, no matter what their competition does.
I love my ST. A recent day long trip has convinced me that I am riding one of the best bikes on the planet. I think most ST riders will agree, even if they are not riding an ST that's made by Honda. At the same time, I became convinced that I'm also riding a bike with a serious flaw. This is a huge mark against what other wise is an outstanding bike. The heat problem is theeee only problem I have with my bike!!!
Wake up Honda, and imagine for a moment someone selling their Honda ST to purchase another MoCo's ST, just because you can't get past an attitude.

[Ken]

I still don't get it. This issue seems to get a lot of play but it's definitely not consistent. It seems like there just must be some other contributing factors. Maybe it's gear, maybe it's subjective in what feels 'hot', maybe it's stubborn refusal of admission, maybe it's climate. In my case, I don't think it's any of these things, but how can I tell for sure? My tolerance for pain and heat may be much higher than someone else's and lower than others. What I do know is that I've ridden a 2003 ST13 more than 10,000 miles in the last 11 months and haven't had an issue with heat. Mind you, this is the model year that it was supposed to be enough of a problem that they made some correction in subsequent years. :shrug2:

[BigTom]

Quote by vintagemixer
Ah Burger, you missed my point. It's the script you need to write to bury "dead horse" topics in the ST-Owners.com basement that's the key to the whole thing! Get to work!
Yesterday 09:11 AM

VM, I agree with you, but here I am, anyway. Mamma always said I wasn't too bright...but I am confused. I really am.

It seems (to me) that the 'heat' problem is really an air problem. Lack of air movement in and around the rider, specifically. Is one of the reasons I bought the bike. I like to ride long mileage, and often get rained on, or have to ride in ridiculously low temps like 60F. The air pocket is what keeps me mostly dry, and lets me push on. I have ridden, do ride, MC's that are much cooler than this one at speed. They are naked. The trade off is wind blast (exhaustion), rain torture, cold body core. All of which make me pull over and rest. I often ride 750mi days, often back to back to back. I can't do that on my naked bikes, no way. A 400 mile day on the bandit feels like a monster. 300 on the KLR is near forever. 750 on the ST, and I can get a little monkey butt from time to time, mostly depending on my clothing...Is an easy trade for me.

[ajpags]

Here's an idea - if you want an ST thread about heat killed because you don't experience any heat - then don't post in a thread about heat! I would think that the more data points we get on the "problem" as some would put it, the better. I'd be VERY surprised if any of you rode my bike in 80 degree weather and didn't think there was a problem. I'm pretty objective about these types of things, and this is nearly a reason for me to sell the bike - it's that bad.

The frame gets hot because it's bolted directly to the engine block, the engine being a stressed frame component......no rubber mounts or insulators. With only moderate air flow over the exposed portions, eventually the frame and the block are going to be almost the same temp. Once you get aluminium hot it takes a lot of energy to cool it down.

I understand that the engine is a stressed member and as such will pass some heat on to the frame - coming from the sportbike world, I'd expect nothing less. However, a fully faired FZR400 running a 30 minute GTU race at Loudon (15,2k redline mind you) in 90 degree weather never puts the frame so hot you can't touch it - or the footpeg area so hot that my feet can't be near it. I'm guessing that my $10k+ sport tourer shouldn't either - especially being designed for long distances.

I'm really bummed about this as I love my ST for many reasons...and don't want anything keeping me from enjoying it fully.

[05ST1300ABS]

I purchased the bike on the two worst days of HEAT in Tennessee. It was 97* the first day, and I was riding with full gear. Joe Rocket Ballistic pants, Chippewa boots 12", and First Gear TREKKER jacket. Both jacket and pants have armor too and are heavy, and with the liners removed. I did have the back, and side zippers open. I rode for about 180 miles that day, and switched to a GL1800 and rode about 100 more miles. I didnt get as much wind on the GL1800 and I was getting HOT from the lack of air flow. At least with the ST, I could open the jacket partially, and the side seams of the pants and get some relief. I used to ride Goldwings and they seem hotter as it seems the air is trapped behind all that fiberglass(unless you install foot, hand, and mirror wings)
I didnt have any of those on either bike in that 1st day.

The second day was 104*, and that was posted all over and not just on the ST1300 dash unit. When it got cooler around 95, I realized it was cooling down for the day. On this second day I rode the ST13 with a passenger and didnt have my FULL GEAR on. Just a shirt and jeans.. And I felt a lot hotter and cant explain that one. I would like to switch to MESH stuff someday, but, dont think it offers the same protection.

My third, LONG DAY with the ST1300 it was cooler, between 80-90 and I was up in Ky. I didnt wear the jacket but I kept the Joe ROcket pants on. Except for the slower speeds in some of the backroads, I thought the bike was superb until I hit the Interstate and the higher speeds brought in some more HEAT. I dropped the WINDOW, and got some air moving, and it was a lot better.

I think to solve the HEAT issue I would stay with my Leather riding boots, my riding pants(zippers open partially), and a good MESH jacket, and drop the WINDOW>

And when November comes and I want to ride to Houston, I wont even need to wear PANTS as the HEAT will keep me warm.

[ST1300 Alicia]

115 degrees yesterday in Fresno, Ca. Cooler in my ridding gear than it was in shorts. Looking for some helmet wings to keep the back of my neck cool.

[Putt]

Here ya go Alicia,
These will be perfect..

Putt...


115 degrees yesterday in Fresno, Ca. Cooler in my ridding gear than it was in shorts. Looking for some helmet wings to keep the back of my neck cool.

[Geoff]

I think I found the answer........one pair of calf high thin socks ......wrap a piece of aluminum foil around each calf from the ankle to about mid calf......only wrap half way around like about 180 degrees......put on second pair of socks and riding shoes and go have fun..........i did 240 miles yesterday in florida with the temp gauge showing 93-96.....it sounds stupid but it worked............also thinking of lining the fairing boxes the same way with foil........Geoff

[Mellow]

Seems to me if there are any real changes to the ST in '07 it would be easier to reconfigure some plastic and redirect the flow of heat rather than drastic bike design issues.

I've felt heat when I had my ST but it was never anything uncomfortable, just a 'oh, there's a little heat", then I forgot it was even there.

Yamaha made changes to the fairing to accommodate the heat issue they had.. .Maybe, Honda will do the same... who knows, I never know what they're thinking half the time... Not knocking them... I'm sure every bike manufactuer has issues on every bike and most of them 'appears' to be a simple fix, especially to owners...

Is it october yet? We will need some spies at the vegas show to send pics via cell phone ASAP... LOL

[ironox]

It would be nice if the aforementioned changes (07'?) could be retrofitted to current bikes. The wind deflector kit adds little relief.

[naturally wired]

With Honda making a big play for the police market(which by the way I'm in with the Impala and Tahoe) It would cost them big time world wide to change the bike now ...I can see them making some air deflectors under the body work for the 07's but that would be about it....as far as the engine and body work changing, sales would drop because the aftermarket companies are set up for the current bike!!!...6th gear is a possibility though with harley going with six in most of there new offerings!...with sixth gear down shifting would be more like a sport bike but I still don't see the need;)


Remember when you change anything every bodywants to know why???????


"Didn't they get it right the first time????"

[Phillyrube]

I talked to guy tonight riding a Triumph Sprint. I asked about heat problems with his fairing bike, and he said he feels heat on his ankles near the exhaust, but wearing boots and heavy jeans it's nothing. Figuring about the same thing with my ST....

Now, try idling a Harley in bumper to bumper traffic at some of the rallies, and that's HOT!!!!

[Phillyrube]

Just talked to two guys on sport bikes..one a Honda 916, the other a Suzuki. Both say they have heat in the ankle and lower leg area, but nothing that boots and jeans/touring pants takes care of. The Honda guy said his frame gets pretty hot, too, and that's aluminum bloted up to the engine.

Sounds like a common fibreglass or plastic covered bike problem......

[ajpags]

Yeah - you guys are completely right. I guess my 250K+ in miles, including a cross country trip on a 600cc sportbike don't count for squat. I must be out of my mind thinking I have a heat problem.

Maybe if I just ignore my ankles they'll go away - burn away to be specific.

[Gonzo]

It's nearly impossible to separate the objective from the subjective here.
Maybe we could have a poll, with choices on whether those who have heat problems have: adjusted their counterbalancers, balanced their intake systems, modified their airflow within the fairing, changed saddles, installed deflectors, etc, etc, etc.
For the poll to be meaningful statistically, results have to be large. I have never run a poll here, so if anyone has the experience, and anyone has suggestions on what to ask, go for it.
Gonzo

[STumpy]

I have never experienced a heat problem with my 06, and that includes riding in 108 F with 90% relative humidity. Just never has been a problem.

BUT, it is a major problem for others. Just because some of us do not feel the heat, doesnt mean the others have no right to complain or discuss it.

I say let them discuss it, and maybe someday someone will come up with a solution that will help them out and REALLY put an end to the HEAT Debate.

:)

[MeiSTer]

Currently ride a 94 Magna and have a ST on my wish list radar screen. Two months ago rode an 05 ST1300 a couple hundred miles around the Chattanooga, North Carolina area in 95°F+ heat from the hours of 12 till 6 PM. Didn't think the heat was an issue at all.
Hey frayne,

I had a 99 Magna until this year when I got the 06 ST. Get an ST, you'll love it. As far as the heat issue, maybe it is a little warmer but not nearly as bad as some make it out to be.

[Pred8tor]

BUT, it is a major problem for others. Just because some of us do not feel the heat, doesnt mean the others have no right to complain or discuss it.


Someone suggested that some heat complainers get together with some non-complainers and swap bikes for a short ride. This would be the best test - which would (in my opinion) prove that this heat thing is an individual tolerance issue.

So - let's match up some of the heat sensitive with the insensitive. Who's eligible for testing???

[STumpy]

Someone suggested that some heat complainers get together with some non-complainers and swap bikes for a short ride. This would be the best test - which would (in my opinion) prove that this heat thing is an individual tolerance issue.

So - let's match up some of the heat sensitive with the insensitive. Who's eligible for testing???

Yep, that would be a good way to go. If it is a tolerance issue, then we can still hopefully figure out some solutions for them.

[pmorritt]

Alan


Not sure i really want to try that, sounds sorta dangerous but sounds like you're telling us that if we put our hands down above a hot exhaust pipe and behind a 1300 cc engine we're gonna feel some heat. Well, yeah.

All I know is My ST has less of a heat problem than my last bike , a 2002 R1150RA and for that matter less of a heat problem than most bikes I've owned or ridden.
Yea, What he said!!!!!!

[curmudgeon]

I seem to have a perception of the heat different then mentioned yet. I notice it getting warm around my legs with temps in the mid 70's, but the hotter it gets the less I notice the heat around my legs. I'm not sure why that would be, but I suspect when the entire body starts feeling hot ambient temps other hot spots become less noticeable. We ran through temps up to 105 on our way to Laguna Seca, and I never felt my legs to be hotter then any other part of my body.

Phil

[hojo in sc]

Let me tell ya a little bit about HEAT. HEAT is riding when it is 95 degrees out, the humidity is 80%, NO WIND, and your climbing up a steep hill, leaving a trail of sweat behind you. Oh, and by the way, I'm talking about a BIKE, not motorcycle. Keeping your heart rate at 175 degrees during the long climb in that kind of heat is HOT, so far I haven' t felt a problem with my ST.

[tccox]

Yeah - you guys are completely right. I guess my 250K+ in miles, including a cross country trip on a 600cc sportbike don't count for squat. I must be out of my mind thinking I have a heat problem.

Maybe if I just ignore my ankles they'll go away - burn away to be specific.

No one at all disputes the fact YOUR ST1300 has a heat problem. What I dispute, and dispute rather strongly is blanket statements that the ST1300 has a heat problem. I guess my 35 + years of riding, I'm guessing my well over 250,000 miles of riding on the street also mean nothing. So when I state as a FACT MY ST1300 produces less heat and is more comfortable to ride in Charlotte traffic (The South , Summer , Today it's 98 outside and the humidity is horrible) than most of the bikes I've owned/ridden in the past , and yes , some of them were horrible in high heat conditions, I'm out of my mind ?????


Is my St13000 miserable to ride today ?? Of course it is. It's 98 freaking degrees outside and the humidity sucks. It's just not as miserable as most other bikes.

[BobSTrider]

At the risk of being on the fence with this never ending issue (if you are on the fence, folks throw rocks at you from both sides):eek: . I did an unscientific experiment based on my perception of heat...First a little about my mods - cut the inner cowls to almost nothing and I have honda faring deflectors. Rode to work and home, temps in the upper 70's a.m. and lower 90's p.m., with jeans and my usual SIDI boots - and I HAVE a pretty uncomfortable heat issue on my lower legs - mostly on my right shin. Same ride and temps with my SIDI's and FirstGear mesh overpants (over light cotton pants) - and I DON'T HAVE a heat issue. Did this over a couple of weeks rotating gear. So now I wear the FirstGear overpants all the time, not only do they help with the heat they keep me safer....Things that make you go hummmmmm....

[ajpags]

No one at all disputes the fact YOUR ST1300 has a heat problem.

I really hate to argue - but isn't the whole "get real on this never ending HEAT thing" a dispute in the very topic of this entire thread? Perhaps YOU are not disputing it, but it's pretty apparent that many on the forum think it's just a perception issue.

And for those of us with real heat problems, I kind of find it a bit condescending for other ST riders to simply dismiss us...especially when a few of us are looking for, and to produce actual data.

Pags

[Burger]

You know sometimes you reach that point in a discussion where you just have to agree to differ. I think that's where we all are on the heat issue or non issue depending on your personal experience.

To me, the best suggestion that's been made is if it were possible for a heat sufferer and a what heats that then rider to meet up and swap bikes. Then at least we would have a very good idea if the problem is bike or person related.

All these confrontational and sometimes aggressive posts about whether there is or isn't an issue is quite frankly getting nowhere and unless someone has something new to contribute on the subject, there's little point in repeating your feelings. Saying the same thing 10 times doesn't make it any more valid than when it was said the first time.

It seems very obvious that for some people there is a problem with the heat from the ST that they think is unreasonable, a design flaw or whatever. It seems equally obvious that there are more that have no problem whatsoever with the heat it puts out. Neither argument can be discounted because in all cases we're dealing with a different person on a different ST.

So, how about it? Let's see if we can't progress the subject and work towards better analysis rather than just going over the same old stuff time and time again. I for one would be only too happy to meet a heat sufferer except I don't have my ST any more and I haven't heard of a single UK based person with a heat problem. Isn't there someone here who could swap bikes with vlad, or his borrowed bike or another heat sufferer or whatever the truth is and do some real comparisons?

Regards,

[ironox]

"I haven't heard of a single UK based person with a heat problem."

Interesting. What fuel grade do you guys use? As we know, not all grades are created equal. Do you have Ethanol in your mix?

[Burger]

The lowest Octane (RON) fuel we can buy (Regular or Premium) is typically 95 - certainly no lower than 93. Super unleaded is 97/98.

Regards,

[ironox]

Dave,

Thanks for the quick reply. Due to fuel map mangement/fuel system pressure inconsistancies, I suspect that some bikes run hotter than others. I haven't read any discussion on this issue on this forum. I'm not well versed on combustion in an internal conbustion engine, but I suspect we have people here who know what their talking about. For example, for those guys that installed the aftermarket fuel regulator, did any of you experience any drop in operating temperture? Folks with the new regs. installed have noted a slight drop in MPG, which if correct , a slightly fuel rich mixture may cause the drop in mileage. If true, exhaust temps should drop as well,no? A drop of 30 degrees F would make all the difference to those bikes running hotter than others.

[tccox]

more and I haven't heard of a single UK based person with a heat problem.
Regards,


Yea, but your ST1300's all wobble...........:D :D

Wondering, I've always noticed that some STs seem to get really amazing gas milage, consistantly in the mid to high 40s and some, like mine pretty much stay in the 38-40 mpg range. Any possible relationship between this and heat issue ??????

[Pred8tor]

Wondering, I've always noticed that some STs seem to get really amazing gas milage, consistantly in the mid to high 40s and some, like mine pretty much stay in the 38-40 mpg range. Any possible relationship between this and heat issue ??????

Probably not, since neither you nor I complain about the heat, but I get close to 50 mpg. Of course, maybe we're both crusty old guys who are unable to tell the difference. :confused:

[naturally wired]

ironox,

I think you may have hit on one of the problems..."stock exhaust heat"...but its a problem with all the newer bikes on the market because of the Fed. emissions....when I had the stock pipes on and I was at a stop I could really feel the exhaust heat I hadn't thought of it till I read your post....I sure most of you keep your bags on so its not as apparent...but for the non-bagger like me let me tell you about your portable hibachi which rides under your bags....but for that matter the stock pipes that came on my ZZR were the same...so back pressure can and will increase engine temp but the problem with that is this bike is liquid cooled and does a really good job at keeping it to three bars!!!!!!!The thing I do notice is when keeping my rpms at higher levels for extended periods and then coming to a stop the heat off the out side of the engine is much higher...this gets back to the point the only way to cool the out side of the engine completly is to get the whole engine out in the air (.) which means no Tupperware:eek:


Five things changed when I went with the Staintunes, sound , heat drop, power, smoothness, and no more melting of the grommets between the muffler mounts and the frame!!!!!!! I had to replace two sets on the stockers before going with the Tunes!!!!

You guys should check yours you may be suprised at what you find!

[ironox]

TTC,

I thinks they're related. Even thou our bikes register 3 bars on the temp gage, it's is not a measurement of the exhaust header temperature. Better mileage = (in part)better more complete fuel burn = higher exhaust temps. ( other factors affect MPG of course, like weight, wind speed, tire pressure etc.) I average 48mpg with 50mpg on some occasions. I consider my bike a hot ride.

Blue Dragon,
I like the stainintune idea! I can dump the cats ( located in the stock exhaust) which operate at very high temps! However, I have no interest in louder pipes. Was there an increase in the noise level over stock pipes?

We need imput from knowledgeable engineers out there. Come on folks lets hear it!! Shot holes in my theory!!

[naturally wired]

Leave the restrictors in if noise bothers you but there out on mine after about 2k with the new pipes installed they started mellowing out a bit but at speed they have always been very quite......if you end up getting them you may find your self leaving them out also;) ...on flat superslab I run about 48mpg at 80mph to 56mpg at 65ish :D The bike sounds more like a little mussel car with a gear driven cam...instead of a George Jetson Singer sewing machine:eek:

[ironox]

"We need imput from knowledgeable engineers out there. Come on folks lets hear it!! Shot holes in my theory!!"

I found what I was looking for under the 1300 tech section/Engine ping detonation thread. :bow1:

Good news ;)

[100MPG]

I am no engine ear but I know hot when I feel it. Road to Maine from NY last weekend, 3 days after getting my NEW ST out of the crate. It was hot out, but not much heat on the bike most likely becuase it was raining most of the trip.

BUT, today, I thought I was on fire. So I started trying to find the source of the heat and I came to this conclusion.

http://www.100mpg.us/images/st1300/hotbike.jpg

The heat felt like it was coming right from here, and since my knees are a little further out the this area of the bike, the heat is sucked into the low pressure zone. I could feel the heat curling around the plastic from both sides and heating the family jewels to a VERY uncomfortable temp. I have 1100 miles as of today and this was the worst heat I have felt. There has to be a fix for this, other wise I am moving to Alaska so I can ride the bike in comfort.

Anyone?

[ironox]

MPG,
My bikes new also. It has 4600 miles to date. I've read that it takes about 10,000 miles before the engine cools a bit. . Venting the inner cowling and adding the Honda wind deflectors have helped many. Proper riding gear helps. I may install an aftermarket FPR and Stainintunes. This may drop the engine operating temp a few degrees. Which will help. Otherwise, the bike does everything else so very well. I Like it a lot.

[RibsST1300]

I am no engine ear but I know hot when I feel it. Road to Maine from NY last weekend, 3 days after getting my NEW ST out of the crate. It was hot out, but not much heat on the bike most likely becuase it was raining most of the trip.

BUT, today, I thought I was on fire. So I started trying to find the source of the heat and I came to this conclusion.

http://www.100mpg.us/images/st1300/hotbike.jpg

The heat felt like it was coming right from here, and since my knees are a little further out the this area of the bike, the heat is sucked into the low pressure zone. I could feel the heat curling around the plastic from both sides and heating the family jewels to a VERY uncomfortable temp. I have 1100 miles as of today and this was the worst heat I have felt. There has to be a fix for this, other wise I am moving to Alaska so I can ride the bike in comfort.

Anyone?

You picture is exactly my probem-heat coming up and roasting my nuts over an open fire.....maybe the air deflectors are the solution.

[naturally wired]

ironix

Don't for get to upgrade the air filter!

[ironox]

Blue,

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

:)

[100MPG]

You picture is exactly my probem-heat coming up and roasting my nuts over an open fire.....maybe the air deflectors are the solution.
Where do the air deflectors go? On the front of that opening or the rear?