Burning HOT 2005 ST1300

[profbobbyb]

It was 93 degrees today in Florida and my lower legs and the area around my knees were ready to burst into flames. The two fairing boxes felt like a hot stove element. I'm riding with heavy duty enduro boots, and RoadGear over padded pants. I would appreciate any and all fixes to get rid of this excessive engine heat coming off the engine. So far, I've read about the HONDA fairing deflectors, plugging all the gaps and holes around the seat/tank/frame and cutting holes in the lower fairing and trimming the inner liner back on the fairing to allow for more air-flow.

ANY and ALL rider engine heat reduction ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Bobby B.

[RTETR]

plugging all the gaps and holes around the seat/tank/frame and cutting holes in the lower fairing and trimming the inner liner back on the fairing to allow for more air-flow.

These are most common and I have done them all with great results plus I added the fairing deflectors to push the air away further. Others also wrap the headers or send them out for a ceramic coating treatment for a couple hunderd bucks...

Try venting the inner cowls or removing them first to see the impact and buy some "wide" adhesive backed foam weather strip to place under the seat between the tank and the seat... really helps stop the heat cooking the coconut sack.

[Burger]

While it's obvious different people display different tolerance to the heat, too much heat can also be a sign of a badly tuned engine. I've read a number of times of engine heat reducing drastically when the throttle bodies are balanced for example. So before trying to attack the symptoms, you might want to consider attacking the cause.

Regards,

[RichKirk]

the faring deflectors made a difference for me on my lower legs , with out them the heat hits you right below the knee as it comes out the side vents the deflectors push it out a little further and make it a little better

[TPadden]

It was 93 degrees today in Florida and my lower legs and the area around my knees were ready to burst into flames. ......ANY and ALL rider engine heat reduction ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Bobby B.

Bobby,

Something is wrong with your bike; I rode my 06 in Florida yesterday in Tampa traffic, and felt none of the symptoms you talk about. My bike is completely stock other than a Corbin seat, with no "heat" mods.

Tom
Weeki Wachee, Fl.
Gainesville, Mo.

[ST13Fred]

Search topics on this site of wrapping the header pipes to the collectors. Problem solved!!!!!!!!! The cost is minimal; the result huge. I am not a fan of cutting panels or changing something permanently.

:04biker: ;)

[LandRover]

Search topics on this site of wrapping the header pipes to the collectors. Problem solved!!!!!!!!! The cost is minimal; the result huge. I am not a fan of cutting panels or changing something permanently.

:04biker: ;)

Hi Fred

Have you noticed any changes in the way the bike operates? Does the temp cause the fan to run more often or longer? Has the restricted heat flow caused your oil to go "old" faster? Have you noticed changes / damage to the cats or the o2 sensor?

I ask because it seems to me that by doing this, you are forcing the heat to travel through a smaller area (as opposed to releasing from the pipe-walls immediately). Doesn't this cause more heat at the other end, at a level not accounted for in the design engineering?

I'm all-for wrapping, as long as it doesn't cause other problems further down the road ....

Thanks for any / all insight and thoughts ..... :04biker:

Cheers!
Bill

[bikemiser]

Anyone with a burning hot ST, you can give it to me!

[HankSTer]

Bobby,
check what Burger (Dave) said, I believe he is spot on. Before I got all upset and started tearing things apart and drilling holes and spending bunches of money on aftermarket stuff, I'd go with verifying the throttle bodies are in sync.
This has alot to do with how the bike runs, and running hot because they are way off isn't uncommon.
I ride in Florida weather also, I dont' sit in downtown traffic during the middle of the day, but not much of a heat issue here.

One thing about throttle bodies someone told me a long time ago. When you start a fuel injected bike, you should *never* sit there and blip the throttle. The mechanic actually said you should never even *touch* the throttle. He said it will whack the synch and the only way to get it back to correct is to do the full adjustment.

So I have never touched the throttle on mine when warming up. It always goes back to normal idle by the time one bar heat shows. My pipes hardly yellow at all. the heat is normal.

Coincidence? maybe.

Good luck,

[DeSTy]

One thing about throttle bodies someone told me a long time ago. When you start a fuel injected bike, you should *never* sit there and blip the throttle. The mechanic actually said you should never even *touch* the throttle. He said it will whack the synch and the only way to get it back to correct is to do the full adjustment.


Sorry, but that's rubbish.

The reason that you should not open the throttle on any EFI-engined vehicle while cranking, is because all you do is increase the length of time required to start it. Opening the throttle does nothing more than confuse the ECU by giving it an unexpected reading from the TPS or MAP sensor.

Opening the throttle won't do *any* harm at all, just make the engine take a moment or two longer to fire.

[HankSTer]

Sorry, but that's rubbish.

The reason that you should not open the throttle on any EFI-engined vehicle while cranking, is because all you do is increase the length of time required to start it. Opening the throttle does nothing more than confuse the ECU by giving it an unexpected reading from the TPS or MAP sensor.

Opening the throttle won't do *any* harm at all, just make the engine take a moment or two longer to fire.

And you may be correct, all I know is what I stated, nothing more. As I said it could be a coincidence, I don't have enough knowledge about how this works to confirm or deny what this mechanic told me.

But I do know how mine runs, (non) heat issues, etc. And that it was a reputible mechanic that told me that, so I'll continue to abide by it even if you think it's rubbish.

Regards,

[Computer Nerd]

Hunka hunka burnin' Honda!

I's been 95 today, and 97 yesterday, and while I felt some heat, (I even had on my ventilated boots) it was hardly any worse than my old FZ, or even my old ZX-10.

I guess you can do mods to the pipes, like get them coated, but so far I am happy with the comfort in reguards to heat.

[Bob Hughes]

East coast of Florida and not quite as hot here but even at 90 degrees I find no problem with the heat. I'm not saying that there is none, just that it is not a problem for me. Hope you find your answer.

[Hunter]

I purchased my ST1300 last fall and for 99% of all the riding I have done since I wish I had more heat off the bike. With the seemingly vast differences in experiences with “the heat issue” I must conclude that Burger is correct or it is something along these lines were something is making some bikes run much hotter than others.

[John H2]

I do think that individual bikes vary in temperature. Mine is Hot! I just received a pipe wrapping kit from Turbo City. All the parts and instructions too. I'm not a mechanic, but it looks like something I can do.
Regarding balancing or synch the throttle bodies, I was going to have that done too, but in studying the threads in the ST tech forums, I find that all this does is adjust the starter throttle settings and would have NO effect on warm running.
This is only effective if one is having trouble with starting or idleing. Don't think I'll do that now. Here's the thread:

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4616

I also plan on doing something with the inner fairings

[BigBadblue]

I purchased my ST1300 last fall and for 99% of all the riding I have done since I wish I had more heat off the bike. With the seemingly vast differences in experiences with “the heat issue” I must conclude that Burger is correct or it is something along these lines were something is making some bikes run much hotter than others.


Hunter, I live in Cali and even I agree with you, I love post like this, nobody complains about the "heat" in the winter when guys on other bikes are getting frostbite on their legs/feet. IMHO think things can get warm on this bike but it does so many other things so incredibly well I am more than willing to deal with any perceived minor shortcomings. How Honda got a bike this big and heavy to handle so well I'll never know. And like Hunter says the heat is a feature taken for granted in cold weather. I don't want to eliminate the heat, but I would like to figure out a way to regulate it, to be able to turn it on/off.

[MrClean]

I don't understand , I rode in 95 degree heat and was just fine .
Later , it was 85 and it got hotter .
I notice this before , it's never the same , the heat
Looking forward to 100+ degree heat

[John H2]

Well, I wrapped my pipes today with the Turbo City kit. I found the asbestos straps a few inches short. I wrapped and rewrapped several times and it's really hard to get it to come out perfectly where the entire pipe is wrapped. In all fairness I called Tom at Turbo City and he offered to send me a "custom length" ( a few inches longer). I hope he adds just 3 to 4 inches to the shorter length and 4 to 6 inches to the longer length (which is now almost 10 feet) to make it an easy install. I don't want to wait for a new shipment, it's close enough.

[LDD]

Lived in Tampa for two years with my 04 ST so I feel your pain. Two most beneficial mods are cutting vents in the inner cowls and mounting lower deflectors. If all else fails and you are tired of broiling in the cross city commutes add the heat blanket and lower your seat to prevent the superheated air from flowing to your lower extremities. Nothing completely rids the bike of the 125 degree plus heat rolling across your shins but I have now lived in New Mexico for 18 months and no longer endure the pain even the the temps often rival Tampa. I've ridden the bike all over the country in summer time heat and have never had the problems I had to deal with in Florida. I would recommend a move north over giving up on the bike.

Cheers
Lloyd

[TLTONEY]

Well, I wrapped my pipes today with the Turbo City kit. I found the asbestos straps a few inches short. I wrapped and rewrapped several times and it's really hard to get it to come out perfectly where the entire pipe is wrapped. In all fairness I called Tom at Turbo City and he offered to send me a "custom length" ( a few inches longer). I hope he adds just 3 to 4 inches to the shorter length and 4 to 6 inches to the longer length (which is now almost 10 feet) to make it an easy install. I don't want to wait for a new shipment, it's close enough.

Let us know how the wrap works. :bigpop:

Trey
:biker:

[GOPHER]

I felt a lot of heat in the seat/tank junction of my ST when temperatures got to about 75. I installed Turbo Toms wrap kit a week ago. I agree with John H2 that Tom's wrap is too short. I wraped the first header about 6 times before just giving up and saying "close enough".

The wrap definately didn't make the bike cool, but I think it's good enough. The sides of my tank are still getting pretty hot when temps get up to 85 so I just ride with my knees out a little. The fact that the fairing creates such a still pocket of air probably makes the bike seem hotter than it should be.

I think I can live with the heat that's left though.

[John H2]

Yes, that is exactly my experience. The wrap brought it down a bit, venting the inner cowling helped. It's all in the still hot, but OK realm. And for those that are sensitive to it, I am officially not going to be complaining anymore about heat!!
John

[RibsST1300]

I wrapped mine this week too. It seems so far to be a vast improvement. I still feel heat-Duh, its a V-4 between my legs!-but not enough heat to make life bad..

I like my bike again!

I might try the inner cowl mod next if I still feel hot..

I bought 50ft of 2inch wide wrap and found it to be more than enough. I wrapped back about to the footpeg area. The exhaust does a couple of size changes back there that made it difficult to proceed. Since I was even with my feet I said FAR ENOUGH!

It took 2 evenings(about 6-8 hours) to disassemble everything, wrap, spray with that high temp silicone paint, look for coolant leaks and reassemble. I also wrapped my glove boxes with aluminum AC joint tape..lets see how that feels...

[ST13Fred]

:) :) Hi Fred

Have you noticed any changes in the way the bike operates? Does the temp cause the fan to run more often or longer? Has the restricted heat flow caused your oil to go "old" faster? Have you noticed changes / damage to the cats or the o2 sensor?

I ask because it seems to me that by doing this, you are forcing the heat to travel through a smaller area (as opposed to releasing from the pipe-walls immediately). Doesn't this cause more heat at the other end, at a level not accounted for in the design engineering?

I'm all-for wrapping, as long as it doesn't cause other problems further down the road ....

Thanks for any / all insight and thoughts ..... :04biker:

Cheers!
Bill


I ran my 04 a few weeks when new, to get a good idea of the type/direction of heat I had before doing the wrap on the HEADERS ONLY, stopping at the collectors. Absolutey nothing changed/failed in the bikes' 33K, to date. I run either Rotella or Mobil gold cap synthetic oils, with no issues. The exhaust gases will travel a little faster due to some increase in temp and temp at the exit feels no different nor any discoloration in the 'CAT' zone. I wrapped 20" each pipe (80" total), a minimal change in anything would result. The bike has been flawless and runs perfectly, no leaks, breaks, one flat tire.

:04biker: :) :)

[MidLife]

:) :)


I ran my 04 a few weeks when new, to get a good idea of the type/direction of heat I had before doing the wrap on the HEADERS ONLY, stopping at the collectors. Absolutey nothing changed/failed in the bikes' 33K, to date. I run either Rotella or Mobil gold cap synthetic oils, with no issues. The exhaust gases will travel a little faster due to some increase in temp, not diameter and its' temp at the exit feels no different nor any discoloration in the 'gold' zone. I wrapped 20" each pipe (80" total), a minimal change in anything would result. The bike has been flawless and runs perfectly, no leaks, breaks, one flat tire.

:04biker: :) :)

Did you have to remove the headers to do the wrap or can you do it with the headers in place?

[John H2]

wrapping the headers is fairly straight forward. No need to remove them. Just remove all the fairing and cowling (there's help on that in another thread on this site) and wrap away using stainless hose clamps on the ends. Just make sure you have enough length.

[ST13Fred]

Did you have to remove the headers to do the wrap or can you do it with the headers in place?

No, the headers stay put. But I removed both L/R Cowls, and crash bars to gain access; a must in doing a good job. Again, with what little length of piping is wrapped, no significant change is noticed by the bike, but big change in comfort to the rider. Good luck.

:04biker: :)

[lorenzell]

Last year I had some heat problems but nothing serious. This spring I had the 8000 mile service done and it actually seemed that there was more of a heat problem than I ever noticed. It may be that some have a heat "problem" because of certain settings while others do not. I have noticed that my gas mileage seems to have gone up.

Anyway I tried the cheapest heat solution suggested: Remove the inner cowls. It took only 20 minutes last night. Went out in 100 degree heat this afternoon. Heat problem gone. It makes perfectly logical sense. If you really look at the bike, there just isn't a lot of ventilation, especially to allow the air that comes in the front to flow out. It's no wonder it gets so hot in there. More air flowing around the engine and the radiator and the machine will be cooler.

Have a great ride today.

Loren Zell

[scott99]

What heat? :-)

[saaz]

Bring that heat over here. Was just out on a sub 5c day ride, windy, rainy, sunny all in one. Need a hot winter bike!

[Old Vic]

I went on a week long bike ride with several friends last week and experienced temperatures as high as 105 degrees ... it was hot but I had a cooling vest on and made the ride tolerable. I felt engine heat on my shins and legs above 85 degrees, but it still was tolerable. I was wearing high topped boots and summer mesh Joe Rocket trousers.

I traded bikes with a friend for a while ('92 ST1100) and noticed it was alittle cooler than the ST1300. I noticed that the ST1100 has an air vent or slot running vertically along the front leading edge of the middle cowlings on each side and the ST1300 does not. I suspect that simple omission on the ST1300 is the root of most heat complaints. It carries just enough heat away to avoid any comfort complaints ..... too bad Honda didn't include it on the ST1300.

[Sailormilan2]

I just did a ride down from Vancouver, WA. The second leg of the trip was from Redding down to Bakersfield. The temps got into the triple digits when I got home to Bakersfield, air temp reading 104*. As long as I sat about 1" - 1 1/2" from the tank, there was no heat issue in the crotch/inner thighs. Snuggling up the the tank, and things got hot, fast. The other issue was the outsides of my legs. They felt like they were scorching. I was only wearing jeans. I use a large Clearview with center vent, and with the screen in my normal riding position, about 1" - 2" below eye level, I felt lots of heat on the legs. Lowering the screen to the lowest level made the heat problem go away, or at least aleviate it to a large degree. So it was tolerable.

[John H2]

I had put four 1 1/2 inch holes in each of the inner cowls before up near the top of the plastic. The other day I just took them out. So far, I think it really helped. It hasn't been hot enough around here for the last few days to be definitive.

[robert kreider]

I live in the midwest and own an 05, the heat is not an issue with me. In the summer I just slide my feet to edge of the foot peg which allows air circulation between your legs and the bike when moving, in the winter I slide my feet up next to the frame and the warmth feels good on those cold mornings. Due to the design of the st there is no way to eliminate heat completely. Still a great machine and if mine were destroyed today, I would seek out another!

[dteel]

Without a doubt the most effective heat reduction method I've seen is to remove the engine and replace with an electric motor. Others have noted that the heat is instantly reduced to near ambient.

Of course the fun factor is completely gone as well......


:D :D :D :D :D :D


Seriously though; since you asked this question in May Bobby, have you found a solution or are we all just sitting around talking about heat again for the heck of it? Can't we discuss the benefits of synthetic oil vice dino oil instead? (ok, I knew I couldn’t stay serious for more than a few seconds :) )

[stickman]

Just picked up my '06 last night. It was 84 degrees here in Jersey. The bike was hot on my legs and even more suprising was how hot the little glove boxes on the top of the fairings got. I had some keys in the right one, by the time I was done riding, my keys were scorching.

On a good note, I hit a thunderstorm and rain for the next 50 miles home. Temps dropped to the upper 60's, and I was extremely comfortable. Probably the most comfortable and enjoyable ride in the rain on a bike I've ever had! I was so well protected on the ST, and the heat kept me warm. Didn't even have a jacket on, just my frogg toggs.

Seriously though, the bike should not get that hot.

[Geoff]

Maybe I'm missing something here..if it's 95 outside its darn hot to begin with..now we get on a bike with a 125 hp engine between our legs cranking along at about 4000 rpm's..I now know why its hot under there...I find spreading my legs out a little from the pegs helps considerably...Hey guys and girls..What Price Fun?..:) :)

[BigBadblue]

...On a good note, I hit a thunderstorm and rain for the next 50 miles home. Temps dropped to the upper 60's, and I was extremely comfortable. Probably the most comfortable and enjoyable ride in the rain on a bike I've ever had! I was so well protected on the ST, and the heat kept me warm. Didn't even have a jacket on, just my frogg toggs.

Funny how rare it is that folks notice how the "HEAT" makes the ST so wonderful to ride in could weather!!! Luv my ST!!

[MrClean]

Many of us here have ridden many other bikes with no heat issue , this is why we are bothered by the ST's heat .
It can be a little confusing that Honda would make such a nice bike having such a serious problem for many .





Maybe I'm missing something here..if it's 95 outside its darn hot to begin with..now we get on a bike with a 125 hp engine between our legs cranking along at about 4000 rpm's..I now know why its hot under there...I find spreading my legs out a little from the pegs helps considerably...Hey guys and girls..What Price Fun?..:) :)

[GaryWayne]

I must have a weird ST. I just got home form a 3,000 trip (only saw 2 other ST's) and this is my heat experience...Mine has always felt hotter on the left side (me on the bike) so befor I left for the trip I thought I'd try something. Took the one inner cowling off and drilled if full if 3/4 inch holes. Now it seems like I'm getting even more heat on the left side. The strange part is that its not always the same. Rode in 90 degree some days and it was hot enough that you never forgot it was there..other times it didn't feel as hot. Today coming home it was only about 75 and I thought my boots would melt. On this same trip I rode my buddies FJR and its much hotter than the ST. Also roda my other friends new DL1000 Vstrom.....very nice bike and MUCH cooler than mine. I just can't figure out why I notice almost no heat on my right side.

[stickman]

I stopped at my local cycle shop to pick up some oil filters, going to do the first change now at 130 miles. This shop caters mostly to racing (I race an F2with the old guys with WERA), so I asked him what effects wrapping the pipes really has, as I've seen many race bikes do this. He said it mostly helps dissipate heat from the engine quicker, creates a sort of vacuum that makes the heat exit the bike via the pipes faster. It has no detrimental effects on the engine, in fact probably helps it as it runs cooler (ie more horsepower for racing).

Anyway, I'm going to wrap the pipes to see what happens, I can't hurt.

Does anyone know how much wrap I need to do the ST? He sold a kit with 50'

[Talonboy]

I think Turbo city sells a kit with everything needed.

[Mellow]

Here ya go..

http://www.turbocity.com/product_info.php?products_id=631

http://www.turbocity.com/images/ST%20exhaust%20web%20a1%20copy.jpg

[stickman]

Thanks. I was thinking of getting this adhesive heat barrier (http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Adhesive-Heat-Barrier-p-19087.html) and putting it on the inside of the cowls that are near my shins. I went for a ride tonight, 75 degrees, and that plastic near my legs was really hot to the touch.

The sides of the engine are really throwing out a lot of heat. I'm not sure wrapping the pipes are going to do much.

Otherwise, the bike is really run to ride. I went riding on some roads I normally do on my cruiser. The ST just wants to move, and it does it so easily. I was doing 90 on some country roads thinking I was doing about 60. I'm going to get a ticket on that bike.

[100MPG]

The operating temp of the bike is about 180 degrees. You are sitting on top of this engine, a V4, so while it is really hot, there is no problem with the engine. I believe most of the heat comes from the exhaust. Riding on the open road, I do not notice the heat, but when I get to traffic lights, stop sign or stop and go traffic, it starts cooking... I am not boiling over, the bike is still running at 3 bars, so the only thing that is hotter is the exhaust, from constant acceleration with little or no time to cool down.

I have ridden for 1-2 hours, in 85 degrees on the open road and I have no heat issues. but 30 minutes though small towns with lots of lights, and I have to ride with my knees out to the side to get some wind in there...

[fredz43]

I must have a weird ST.. I just can't figure out why I notice almost no heat on my right side.

Gary,

I'm with you on this. I have made several mods to my 05 and now I feel no heat on the right side, but the left side is still too warm for my tastes. Not as bad as when stock, but still there.

Btw, what I have done so far:

Installed the supplied rubber tank guards on the sides of the tank-helps insulate from the heat produced when the top tank is empty-no problem now.

Installed Honda fairing deflectors- helped deflect heat from side vents.

Ceramic coated the headers- very little improvement.

Cut out center portions of front inner cowls. Undecided, like you, it seems to be hotter than with them stock. I'll take some temperature readings in the future to compare, as I still have a set of stock cowls.

Put thermo tech insulating wrap on top of the ceramic coated headers- helped some.

Noticed that the lower (grey) cowls had steel liners that my 03 ST1300 did not have. The 03 did not burn my feet like the 05 does. Took the steel plates out, as the only thing they can do is absorb heat, then reflect it after they are heat soaked-this helped quite a bit to the point that I only have some discomfort on the left boot.

I plan to do the throttle body sync, as some say it helped. Like chicken soup, I figure it might help and can't hurt. Perhaps the left cylinders are running leaner than the right ones?

As others have said, I have had many bikes over the last 41 years that I have been riding and never experienced the discomfort on my feet and lower legs that the 05 produces. Also I know that there are differences in ST's as I rode my 03 for 24,000 miles without this discomfort and all I did to it is install the tank side pads.

[MidLife]

.....I know that there are differences in ST's as I rode my 03 for 24,000 miles without this discomfort and all I did to it is install the tank side pads.

Several posters have mentioned that the position or type of windshield affected the heat flow on their bike.

Am just curious and wondering if you had the same shield on both bikes?

[fredz43]

Several posters have mentioned that the position or type of windshield affected the heat flow on their bike.

Am just curious and wondering if you had the same shield on both bikes?

Yes, stock shield on both bikes. I agree that heat seems less with shield in lowest position.

[John H2]

OK. I'm just back from a 17 day ST trip and catching up on posts. As a previous poster on this thread, I now have an update. I've read this one with interest as I was really surprised at how hot my '06 was when I got it. To anyone that wants to wrap the pipes....I did it and I don't think it helped much, maybe a bit. If you order the kit from Turbo Tom, ask him if he lengthened the asbestos wrap a bit from his earliest offerings. It was just about 6 inches too short on each side for an easy install. It's not a mistake to wrap the pipes, but the change was small.
I also drilled 4 inch and a half holes in each inner cowl, up near the top. Again, modest heat dissipation results if any. I also put self adhesive heat reflective material around the glove boxes. This did lower the temp in the boxes themselves.
I put a strip of foam in between the tank and the seat to keep excess heat from coming up into my "boys". That helped a bit.
Still the bike was uncomfortably hot for me on hot days. Then I remembered reading that simply removing the inner cowls worked for a few. Well, I got to tell you, five minutes later, this was the "mod" that made the most difference. By the way, my wife and I just put it to the test on our trip. A good portion of our route was HOT. I'm talkin' Death Valley in July. Las Vegas etc. When it got down too only 100 degrees, we thought it was cooling off!! So anyway, The fairing doesn't look shaky with out the inner cowlings, you can't see the absence without really looking for it, and I really feel now that the heat (that is still there) gets carried away comfortably.

[maxib]

Thanks for the report John. What did you do with the temp sensor?

[dagnabitboy]

I too have been having problems with heat on my '05. Here's what I've done: 1: removed inner baffles, this made some improvement. 2: did the throttle body sync, also made some improvement (mpg up too), and finally added the lower wind deflectors, this made another level of improvement. The 3 together now make the bike much more rideable. This weekend I made a 400 mile round trip to Grass Valley, CA, it was 95 when I arrived. I was hot, but was not getting cooked by the bike any longer. The lower wind deflectors also really reduce the wind buffeting I was experiencing, and they look nice as well!

Phil

[John H2]

Thanks for the report John. What did you do with the temp sensor?

I just took a small length of galvanized wire and hung it from the plastic that is beneath and to the right of the headlight. It's out of sight and secure, works fine.

[CZman]

I live and ride in Georgia. My 2003 ST runs hot when the weather and the temp is above 90. This is an empirical statement, not a subjective one. It's a hot running bike, hotter than my in-line four naked 919, by a fairly wide margin. The seat gets hot and my ankles get hot. I have attempted several creative and even a few stupid modifications, excluding the pipe wrap and ceramic coating. For me, diverting the heat as it poured from the fairing was the most effective solution. Nothing has changed except where and how the hot air moves, which is now away from my body instead of against it. You can spend the money on Honda's pretty trim package that diverts the heat out and away, somewhat. Or, you can create your own cheaper method. I used long pieces of flexible plastic attached along the back side of the fairing where my knees rest. It is not as pretty as Honda's solution, but it cost less than 5 bucks. I had to be willing to drill a few holes in my fairing to attach the plastic. It was a tough decision until my first ride with MUCH less heat.

[PizzaHog]

I live and ride in Georgia. My 2003 ST runs hot when the weather and the temp is above 90. This is an empirical statement, not a subjective one. It's a hot running bike, hotter than my in-line four naked 919, by a fairly wide margin. The seat gets hot and my ankles get hot. I have attempted several creative and even a few stupid modifications, excluding the pipe wrap and ceramic coating. For me, diverting the heat as it poured from the fairing was the most effective solution. Nothing has changed except where and how the hot air moves, which is now away from my body instead of against it. You can spend the money on Honda's pretty trim package that diverts the heat out and away, somewhat. Or, you can create your own cheaper method. I used long pieces of flexible plastic attached along the back side of the fairing where my knees rest. It is not as pretty as Honda's solution, but it cost less than 5 bucks. I had to be willing to drill a few holes in my fairing to attach the plastic. It was a tough decision until my first ride with MUCH less heat.Pics?

[MrClean]

I've never had a problem with heat on my ankles .
Else where , yes , from the tank area mostly .
Today , I removed the upper cowl and , yes , big difference .
Still , there's heat , but , it's the amount that's to be expected .
It was 95 today , according to the bikes temp .
Tomorrow , if it's hotter , I will ride again to see what's up with the heat

[GaryWayne]

Noticed that the lower (grey) cowls had steel liners that my 03 ST1300 did not have. The 03 did not burn my feet like the 05 does. Took the steel plates out, as the only thing they can do is absorb heat, then reflect it after they are heat soaked-this helped quite a bit to the point that I only have some discomfort on the left boot



I may try this and see what happens. I feel little to no heat around the seat area, its all around my feet. Its not so hot to stop me from riding but I would like to cool it down a bit. As I said I think I feel more heat with the holes drilled in the left side. Could be that taking them all the way off would work better and is a easy thing to try.

[Raven]

Raven 1 never felt hot, even at 122+ in the Mojave Desert in July. However Raven 2 definitely runs hotter.

Something to check out is your idle speed. Raven 1 always seemed to idle just a tad high while Raven 2 idles at around 900 rpm and seems to throw some noticable heat. I often keep my house keys in the glove box and they're too hot to pick up even after a short trip across town. On Sunday, I set the idle on the high side of the 1K mark and took a 3 1/2 hour trip from Tucson, AZ to Las Cruces, NM. The bike was noticeably cooler and I could take the house keys out of the glovebox without branding my hand at the end of the ride.

I was amazed at what just a slight idle adjustment made, which makes me think those who've advocated a throttle body sync are definitely on the right track!

[John H2]

I was amazed at what just a slight idle adjustment made, which makes me think those who've advocated a throttle body sync are definitely on the right track!


Hmmmmm.. Are there any good threads about throttle body sync procedures?
I heard that they are at least semi complicated.

[MrClean]

Adjusting idle speed when you spend 99% of the time crusing at high speeds some how does not compute

[Raven]

A bike that runs lean tends to run hotter? At least that's true in thumpers. Low idle speed tends to be leaner.....

[MrClean]

Okay , I knew this , but the difference , I don't thimk would much .
Well , if it's way off , then yes ,most likely

[ST1300 Alicia]

I almost burned up on my ST1300 the other night. I was absolutely roasting. It was 104 degrees. I always ride with ATGATT. It got much better once I started the bike and put it in gear and started moving. By the time I was out of the parking garage I was cooled down. My 1300 is much hotter setting still in the Sun than it is Moving.

[dteel]

So Bobby started this thread 3 months ago and this is the 63rd post and he's never answered if he's found a solution.

I strongly suspect that this is just another troll event, oh, and Bobby is a well fed troll at that.

I think for post #5 he should ask about what type of oil he should use.

[CaST]

It was 93 degrees today in Florida and my lower legs and the area around my knees were ready to burst into flames. The two fairing boxes felt like a hot stove element. I'm riding with heavy duty enduro boots, and RoadGear over padded pants. I would appreciate any and all fixes to get rid of this excessive engine heat coming off the engine. So far, I've read about the HONDA fairing deflectors, plugging all the gaps and holes around the seat/tank/frame and cutting holes in the lower fairing and trimming the inner liner back on the fairing to allow for more air-flow.

ANY and ALL rider engine heat reduction ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Bobby B.

Get Motorcycle Larry's Hiway Wings. When my legs get hot, I just prop them up on MCL Wings. Cools all the way up to the crotch.

[killerST6]

I've never had a problem with heat on my ankles .
Else where , yes , from the tank area mostly .
Today , I removed the upper cowl and , yes , big difference .
Still , there's heat , but , it's the amount that's to be expected .
It was 95 today , according to the bikes temp .
Tomorrow , if it's hotter , I will ride again to see what's up with the heat


If you remove the upper cowl, can it be put back on to say add some of the heat back for winter riding?

Is there a write up, or pics on removing the cowl?

Thanks.

Pete

[gregj]

If you remove the upper cowl, can it be put back on to say add some of the heat back for winter riding?

Is there a write up, or pics on removing the cowl?

Thanks.

Pete

Yes, that is what I plan on doing.

This is a good link to reference. It's also linked from the st1300 maintenance page.

http://www.touringmotorcyclists.com/tech%5Ftips/st%5Ftech%5Ftips/front_fairing_removal.html

[100MPG]

I just discovered that when it is hot, and you raise the windshield, you obviously are blocking the wind from hitting you but I could feel it sucking the heat from the engine into the vaccum thta the shield up position creates.

[MrClean]

I just discovered that when it is hot, and you raise the windshield, you obviously are blocking the wind from hitting you but I could feel it sucking the heat from the engine into the vaccum thta the shield up position creates.
Yes , that's right , I posted this before

[MrClean]

If you remove the upper cowl, can it be put back on to say add some of the heat back for winter riding?

Is there a write up, or pics on removing the cowl?

Thanks.

Pete
I did not use nay photos , just went and did it .
Took 20 minutes .
1 screw driver and and that's it

There is still heat , it does help , though

[Britman]

I used a plastic tie wrap and kept mine in roughly the same position.

[killerST6]

Tnks guys,
I may do this or wait till next summer as we are starting to get some cooler weather finally!.
I was just curious on what the bike looked like without them, as well as how much you are removing.

I kinda like the idea of a tie wrap and leaving everything in place unless it buffers a lot and messes the finish and fit up.
Your near me Britman, maybe I need a trip up your way soon :D

[FLSTRDR]

I would like to figure out how to cool the Aluminum frame. It holds a lot of heat, can't leave your bare fingers on it, when riding in town or at slow speeds. A type of scoop to force cooling air into the frame and exiting out the bottom would be ideal. Mother Honda would probabily have to do that though. I'm sure that would help.
Sonny