ST1300 Heat Issues Poll [Archive] - ST-Owners.com Forums

Gamecock

05-08-2007, 09:56 PM

I'm a new ST1300 owner (2005). Although I've noticed some engine heat, I haven't found it to be as severe as some folks have indicated. Of course, I haven't ridden the bike in July or August yet.

I'd like to know just how common the excessive heat issue is among ST1300s and the extent to which most owners have gone to deal with the issue.

ST Dan

05-09-2007, 01:51 AM

no heat for me...kinda wish it did on those days when the temps get below about 38*!

6 votes so far and no comments, nobody wants to start a fi...er discussion!!!:D

Raven

05-09-2007, 02:45 AM

Welcome aboard Cutter -

I was at Carolina in the early 80's!

Meanwhile, I've an '06 and ridden in 100+ degree temps at which point just sitting in the sun is hot!! Can't say that my bike is any hotter than any other bike I've ever had.

RTETR

05-09-2007, 08:29 AM

I added a vent to the inner cowl plus the Honda fairing and mirror deflectors.

billxp

05-09-2007, 08:48 AM

Sure its hot but maybe my tolerance or expectations are lower than some so I voted no problem.

I am sitting on an engine out in the sun after all. I never expect to be cool once the temps reach over 90 with high humidity. I tell people its like sitting in front of a blow dryer, sure you get air flow but its hot air flow.

TLTONEY

05-09-2007, 09:10 AM

I added a vent to the inner cowl plus the Honda fairing and mirror deflectors.

+1
I also plan to wrap the headers in the future.

Trey
:biker:

UNTMatt

05-09-2007, 09:57 AM

It's so hot this is how I look when I ride my ST (note sarcasm)....:rolleyes:

I don't have a problem with any heat coming off the ST. Last years Texas summer was hot and sticky as usual which I rode in on our black ST. Any heat coming off the ST is in no comparison to the 1998 Triumph Daytona I used to own.

John Anthony

05-09-2007, 10:55 AM

I tend to ride in cooler weather, so heat isn't a big issue to begin with. I did install fairing deflectors a few years ago, and that helps. I've ridden in 100 degree weather and it's tolerable. Would I trade my ST for another ride with no heat issues? Heck no!!!

John

wjbertrand

05-09-2007, 11:40 AM

I voted for the not a problem category. I don't find my ST1300 to be any different than my ST1100 was with respect to heat. before I bought the bike I was thinking about getting the headers Jet-Hot coated or wrapping them but now at about 40K miles, it so far just hasn't been an issue I've noticed needed any attention, even at ambient temperatures over 110F.

STeve Kelly

05-09-2007, 11:49 AM

If you didn't get a little heat how else would you know it's running?

OH YEA, the TACH!

Horst

05-09-2007, 12:15 PM

heat ?

what heat ?

oh wait ... ST11's don't have a HEAT problem ! .... ha ha ha !!!!!

:D

ParkerBill

05-09-2007, 12:19 PM

My '06 puts out a little heat, mostly on the right side, but it normally doesn't bother me, even in the really hot weather. Maybe that's because I always wear boots? Heck, I've ridden in cold weather out in Colorado where I was actually putting one hand at a time down by the openings just to get a bit of a hand warming effect. :D

Ride Safe & Smart!

Gamecock

05-09-2007, 06:02 PM

Thanks for all the comments and votes.

This post-a-poll option is really great! Less than 24 hours and already 79 votes. A really great way to cut right to the heart of an issue - especially helpful to an ST newbie like me.

Based on the poll results so far, it looks like the ST1300's heat issues may be a little over-blown. Or maybe we're just spoiled by a great bike that doesn't give us many reasons to complain.

STreaker

05-10-2007, 12:26 AM

I rode to work today; 46 degrees. Had to wear my Gerbings, cranked up to medium rare. Rode home at a hellacious 66 degrees. Two hours later, I'm riding with my son its 55 degrees. WOULD SOMEONE SEND SOME HEAT TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST?

STindy05

05-10-2007, 05:47 AM

If you didn't get a little heat how else would you know it's running?

OH YEA, the TACH!

The Red and Blue lights in your mirrors!:policeST:

ajax5777

05-10-2007, 07:55 AM

First off, I like hot weather. Second, I'm new to the ST, only a couple thousand on my '05. It has been in the 80's lately and I haven't noticed any unusual or exccesive heat. I'm going with a previous post, holy cow, your sitting on an engine, it's going to be hot.

jahoobob

05-10-2007, 08:05 AM

I removed the inner fairings.

Imrubicon

05-10-2007, 08:16 AM

What heat ?

Jim C-G

05-10-2007, 09:25 AM

I've been thinking about running dryer hose from the top of the engine to just under the dash to get better heating on my upper body and running more to the front of the seat to keep off the frost. Has anyone else gotten enough heat off this engine to make riding year round tolerable here in Canada? Anyway, we're finally getting some warming up and i may get enough heat off the bike for June, July and August so I can hold off on heat modifications until Sept.

Phil

05-11-2007, 10:39 PM

Today I rode my bike home from the dealership, about 200 miles. I wore jeans (tsk tsk) and noticed some decent heat on my legs, but I think it was just the wind blowing up my skirt.

Phil

05-11-2007, 10:40 PM

2dogs

05-13-2007, 08:30 PM

Well I got the ST at the end of the season last year and only have just under 3000 miles on 'er.
So far any extra heat has been welcome (about 40* on the way home this morning) but on the one or two days that I've ridden in temps above 70* ... I can feel it, but it's not bad enough to peel off the plastic and start fixin' things..... time and temps will tell.

tommyboy

05-13-2007, 10:51 PM

I have added MCL highway blades to get my feet out of the heat (on days over 95F - really noticeable on the right side). I have both the right and left side covers including all inner farings right now for other farkling. I may wrap the headers while I have them off. I am concerned about any adverse effect on the exhaust from doing it, though. - has anyone had an adverse effect on their performance or fuel economy who has wrapped their headers?

DHTracker

05-13-2007, 11:08 PM

You folks that can’t stand it, get a K&N filter and if you can spring for it, get new pipes that breathe better. Those stock pipes retain the heat while spitting out the whisper exhaust note. It’s a trade-off.

Viggo

05-14-2007, 02:59 PM

I saw this poll earlier but had not ridden the STeed in anything resembling hot weather until yesterday - 96F. Hot? Sure, but I wouldn't say excessively so. My impression was that it was nearly identical to the heat my '85 Wing threw at me.

If I really thought I needed to change something to lessen the heat issue, I'd follow DHTracker's advice - improve the way the engine breathes with K&N filter and aftermarket pipes. The Staintunes eliminate the catalytic converter and has less backpressure so it really cools off everything from the headers on back. At least, that's my theory.

Gordie

05-14-2007, 05:10 PM

I had three mid 70's Gold Wings living in Bakersfield Ca. You know, Bakersfield where scorpions go when Death Valley isn't hot enough. I really couldn't stand the heat coming off the engine and unless you were book'in down the road, it was a PROBLEM. I understand Wings no longer have much of an issue with that. Now I have had over 30 bikes, Suzuki's, Kaw's, Truiumph's, Honda's and until I picked up my first of two BMW RT1100's I didn't know you could own a bike where the engine heat wasn't a problem, especially stopping or slow city riding on a hot as hell day. This year I sold my BMW and picked up my first ST 1300. What a sweet bike on the twisties and mountain roads of Oregon where I now live. I really feel like I can "ride" this bike, one day or weeks and have a ball but, the HEAT IS BACK! No doubt about it, Honda's larger than 750 cc's do not do the best job of displacing heat and if you slow down, it has a tendency to creep up you legs. I wouldn't recommend anyone getting rid of their ST's but the fact is, if you want to ride long, hard, cool and completely dry, you cannot believe what BMW engineering can do. I think Honda was headed that way and got sued by BMW for some infringment issues. Anyway, my ST is a "hot" bike and yes, I think Honda could do a better job of heat displacement. Or, we could all just ride and our great bikes and look at how awesome they are and not worry about the small stuff. Great riding everyone, your pal in Souther Oregon who is finally looking at an 80 degree day and is heading out. Blessings, Gordie

Bones

05-14-2007, 05:54 PM

I rode my buddy's Triumph Sprint ST last weekend. Gorgeous bike, tons of torque, gnarly sounds, loads of fun. Also hot. After 20 minutes my buns and boys were roasting. It wasn't even 70 degrees and I was wearing overpants.

liftnw8ts

06-06-2007, 05:56 AM

I know this sounds crazy but comming from owning 2 newer Honda Goldwings, there is a heat issue if One you are like me sometimes and wear shorts, I ride to college. This really becomes an issue in stop and go traffic. Two a Goldwing will spoil you on alot of things dealing with comfort and civility concerning motorcycling.

gregj

06-06-2007, 07:28 AM

I just came off a VTX 1800, and reading all the posts on heat prior to picking up the ST, made me think the ST just cant be hotter than the VTX?! With the VTX, I'm dang near sitting on the rear jug, and the rear header comes out right underneath my right thigh. In July/Aug it gets HOT when riding in stop & go traffic.

I have to say my 07 ST does get warm too. Is it hotter than my old VTX? Hard to say cause the VTX has forward foot pegs which put your feet in the cool air before it hits the engine, and the engine heat seems to flow out underneath your legs. But with the peg position on the ST, my lower legs do get very warm. And I ride in jeans or overpants, and Oxtar boots. There is enough warmth coming up that I can ride my 50 mi commute in the am, when it's 60-65*, in boots, jeans, thin leather gloves, and mesh jacket with liner in, and be very comfortable. This is partly because of the great wind management of the ST, and partly due to the "warmth" that comes off.

Yeah, I know it's a mc, and you're sitting on an engine, but there does seem to be a number of issues contributing to the warmth. What you are used to riding may also come into play. If you're coming to the ST from a fully faired bike, or one that had similar heat output, and have gotten used to it, the ST may seem normal.

Since I'm not ready to go the new pipe route yet (to get rid of the catalytic converts, and make the exhaust flow better), I'm going to try the deflectors sometime in the near future. But I'm still keeping my Silver STead! :cool:

STMikeK

06-06-2007, 08:05 AM

Heat yes:mad: on my 05, been in the high 80's all week and when I ride home after work my lower legs are smoking. I have read all the threads on heat fixes, and the only one I am willing to try is the air deflectors. If this doesn't help I am really considering on a different ride. Love the bike hate the heat.

curmudgeon

06-06-2007, 01:40 PM

I've been in temps up to 113 and ridden many times with temps exceeding 100. I don't wear protective pants just jeans except in the rain, and I wear ankle high hiking boots. Guess what I have no problem with any heat issues. Those of you that are overly sensitive to heat should just sell and buy a BMW RT.

Phil

Phillyrube

06-07-2007, 01:51 PM

No hotter than sitting on my Harley at idle...I'm going to wrap the pipes, but I did notice in the winter that the heat made it comfortable riding. The heat issue my wife hated was the stock windscreen and her riding behind me. 100' days, she was dying back there. Went with an aftermarket Bike-Quip and it's a little better for her.

wescus

06-07-2007, 11:02 PM

Voted heat no issue. I've had a half dozen bikes that I think were hotter. I'm truly at a loss to understand why some people have this problem and others don't. Could it be that there are so many that are new to the sport? I once rode an unfaired CB750 cross country in July-August 1976. I remember that being hot!! My ST is hot as compared to my Dodge truck, but not to other bikes I've owned...
Steve

samal

06-07-2007, 11:39 PM

try pre 06 Sprint ST first - then you will know what hot means :) ST was nothing in comparison.

twowheelerceu

06-23-2007, 09:28 PM

The only other bike I've owned is 94 Kawa Concours which also put off some heat, especially in the summer. My 05 ST1300 is comparable re heat. Riding pants are advised with either.

tommyboy

07-01-2007, 07:59 PM

unchargedken

07-01-2007, 08:20 PM

I voted for headers wrap and insulated the fairing pockets. But I really don't think it made enough difference to justify the time. It seems to me it is a cumulative effect about the third 400 plus day it seems more noticeable.
But your setting on a car sized engine wrapped in plastic the heat has to go somewhere. I may try to vent the inner cowl but it's not a priority I just wear Good pants and boots and no I woud'nt trade it for a 1400 connie.
Ken :04biker:

TxStPilot

07-21-2007, 08:05 PM

i didnt vote on this yet ...however being a new st1300 owner i do have a bit of discomfort with the heat, especially on hot days around here..

i think i will eventually wrap the headers at least...i may also add the faring extenders later on....

i have even thought about adding some additional cooling fans into the lower faring to exhaust more of the heat..but i have yet to finalize any plan yet.

tc

Coop

07-21-2007, 09:22 PM

Ah...heat issues again! Have you tried just riding when it's raining or snowing? LOL!!

RaYzerman

07-21-2007, 09:42 PM

I just got back from Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington where we ran into temperatures of 95-106F. Two of the guys had ST1100's and felt only the ambient heat. I felt engine heat the whole time, and you could really feel it coming out the sides of the fairing when you stuck your leg out on the MCL highway pegs. Right side has more. It was pretty hot if we were stopped for a couple of minutes and the cooling fans came on!! I have fairing deflectors and they helped deflect the heat away from my ankles. It was cooking hot, and thanks to my high socks, boots and riding pants, it didn't burn. I think we have to find a way to let that air exhaust elsewhere out the back/bottom of the fairing........ meantime, just keep your legs behind those fairings. The only other thing I did was to drill a bunch of holes in the inner cowls, but that just seems to cool off the top end a bit.
As far as cold, those guys were cool on some mornings below 60, whereas I'm never cold. On those days, you're glad you have heat.

Gearbear

07-23-2007, 12:46 AM

I've had my '05 ST for about a year now. Here in S.A. TX it gets pretty hot on the highway especially on black asphalt. Heat from the bike hasn't been an issue for me as long as I'm not riding over three continuous hours. After that it feels like the bike reaches its thermal capacity and starts radiating heat from every metal part. The frame gets so hot it feels like it will burn my skin.
I've only experienced this once, riding up from Port A. non-stop to S.A.

I am NOT overly sensitive to heat, if anything I'm just the opposite.
There are a number of suggestions for managing the heat from the engine. The best idea I've read so far is wrapping the pipes.

Gem STate ST

07-23-2007, 06:57 AM

I waited until I put 3k on my 06 that I've had for a month now before I voted.Most of my riding has been right at 100 degrees thanks to our heat wave.Haven't had any heat issues except once in awhile when the traffic and road is bouncing the heat back up at me.

redcloud

07-23-2007, 09:51 PM

Only 600 miles on my new 2007 ST1300 in about 95F weather but the only heat is with shorts on in under 50 mph stop and go riding. I notice it on my lower right ankle. Readjusted the rubber behind the right body frame and no more heat on my leg!
LOVE THIS BIKE...

macceS

08-14-2007, 01:56 AM

Not problem with my ST1300...
You know, we don´t have such high temperatures in Finland often. So it is more like heater for us :)

GRN

10-18-2007, 09:01 PM

I don't know... according to the press and some internet forums I own 2 of the hottest bikes made (see below), along with the FJR and new Connie. I really haven't noticed anything I didn't notice with my CB900 Custom, or ST1100, or 996, or even my CB750K for that matter... yup, I'm sitting in traffic in July on top of a combustion engine, who woulda guessed it would get hot? :rolleyes:

Imrubicon

10-18-2007, 10:19 PM

I started to say those who are having a heat problem should go back to their ??????
BUt it does seem that 80% + dont have a heat problem .
Those that do seem to miss the posts that pretty much narrow it down to wrapping the headers as that seems to get the most heat gone ?

cpsseals

10-26-2007, 06:42 PM

Heat! Darn wish there was some.... Was only 19 on the ride home last night!!!

gregj

11-01-2007, 06:29 AM

Heat! Darn wish there was some.... Was only 19 on the ride home last night!!!

LOL, I wont be complaining about the heat again, till maybe June or July. ;)

maxedout

11-11-2007, 12:25 PM

Right now I am looking for MORE heat!
Yesteday morning was 34 degrees.
The engine heat isn't a problem for me even in summer and I am in steamy SC.
I love this bike.

fredz43

11-11-2007, 12:48 PM

I first ceramic coated my headers, which helped maybe a little. Then I wrapped them, which helped a little. Finally I decided to try the throttle body balance adjustment (starter valve sync). In spite of those nay sayers that haven't tried it, this helped the most by far. Three local ST1300 owners, including me had this done by the same Honda tech. The one who said he had very little heat problem on his 05 turned out to have throttle bodies that required very little adjustment. My 05 had a much more pronounced heat problem than my previously owned 03 and it turned out the 05 was out of adjustment more than the first 05 mentioned above. The third guy had what he felt was a very bad heat problem and it turned out that his was by far more out of sync than the other two.

It made a major improvement in my 05 and tells me that is probably why I had no problem with the 03 , but had a problem with the 05. I have ordered an 08 ABS and will put some miles on it, perhaps 1,000 and then will have them checked and synced.

CaST

11-11-2007, 01:20 PM

I use MCL Wings when the heat gets too hot and put my legs up on them to cool down.

Flash86

11-23-2007, 04:13 PM

Once the Minnesota October arrived the minor heat was a blessing not a curse. As long as I wear jeans and boots, the heat is not an issue.

STingray

12-08-2007, 02:58 AM

Right now I am looking for MORE heat!
Yesteday morning was 34 degrees.
The engine heat isn't a problem for me even in summer and I am in steamy SC.
I love this bike.

For a little more heat to the feet, I just added the VP Jeans "Rain Guards"

http://www.vpaccessories.com/misc_.htm $35. They really do make a nice difference, and they're removeable whenever you want. Swore by them on my 1100, and glad to see he makes them for the 1300 (just in time! :D )

EASt

12-15-2007, 08:47 PM

32K miles and still waiting for the heat to show. There have been Fall days up here, and Summer days in the Rockies when I really wanted some. Stupid, cool-running ST1300... :cus:

kindofblue

02-09-2008, 09:07 AM

Heat is no longer and issue!!! I wrapped my pipes at Turbo-Tom's TechSToc yesterday. Ride home temp was 97F. No heat on my ankles, which was very noticeable above 85F and downright painful above 95F. Header wrap kit was about $50 and you have to take both sides off to do it. I would recommend that you have a few farkles ready when you do this one to make the best use of the time (Stebel horn, headlight modulator, power outlet in front faring, etc.)

Tommy,
It's been 7 months now since you wrapped your headers and I was wondering if you'd noticed any difference in performance, mpg, etc...

On my previous FJRs doing a TBS or richening up the mixture just a bit seemed to reduce the heat coming off the engine when it was 95+ outside.

Fastraveller

02-09-2008, 11:06 AM

I've ridden one '03, three 05's, and one '06. The owner of the '03 had made some wind deflectors that guided wind toward the legs so I can't speak for that bike except that he insisted the heat issue was for real and I don't doubt it for the early bikes. NONE of the other bikes have created more heat than I ever experienced on any other style of bike that I have ever ridden or owned. I rode every one of these bikes in temps of 90 degrees or more at highway speeds and around town driving in stop and go traffic. I recall reading somewhere that HONDA made some mid-year production line changes in 2004 that resulted in lower temps being emitted from the engine area to the rider's legs and from the back of the upper gas tank. I don't claim to know what the changes were, but I definitely read about it from a couple of sources by the time the 05's had been out for a while. Magazine articles written on post-'04 bikes have omitted any comments about high temps and some even commented that the ST's didn't seem to emit as much heat as earlier versions. Personally, I think Honda didn't want to acknowledge the problem because it was only occurring in the southwestern U.S. only while people were riding in stop-and-go rush hour traffic (at least that was what was reported by most people back then) so they came up with a mid-year change incorporated during the '04 production run and implemented it.

gah

02-12-2008, 08:51 AM

My bike has been hot since day 1. First I put Honda fairing and mirror extensions on. Then removed the inner fairing pannels. Took off the mirror extensions to let more air get through. Wrapped the headers, which seemed to help. But they kind of smell. Put on some Baker wings. They help but look funky. The bead seat works great. Nothing like running cool air under your butt. When its time to check the air cleaner I will put the carb sticks on the throttle bodies. I noticed the new o8s have have pannels where you see the shock on the other bikes. I believe its to control the heat. Thanks to the police for that. Honda has to make this bike right if they expect the police to by them, and were the one that will benifit. Halaluya

pdx-STer

02-12-2008, 10:17 AM

gregj

02-12-2008, 10:26 AM

I have only had my 06 ST a few weeks now and the warmest temperature I've ridden in has been 57 degrees last weekend. It already had the fairing and mirror deflectors installed, I wear Boots and I haven't noticed a heat issue. Other rides at 34 degrees weren't a problem either. :cool:

James

If you have the problem, or perceive that you do, it's usually apparent in mid summer when temps and humidy are high. I notice it a lot especially in slow rush hour traffic. Hopefully you wont notice it on yours. ;)

ToroGuy

08-01-2008, 09:12 PM

Heat from the bike is not a problem on my silver ST...it's heat from the SUN that does me in. The temp has read in three digits on my commute every day this week. Today it read 100 to 103 for the entire 38 miles...I like January much better. :(

brandanharmon

08-01-2008, 10:44 PM

I suggest you simply remove the inner cowling, It is a very simple job,,,a few screws and fasteners. I can ride in jeans and sneakers in the 100 degree texas heat with no problems. When the weather cools down I will pop the cowlings back in. This really works well and is much simpler than trying to wrap headers plus it is free and completely reversible.

patiodadio

08-02-2008, 07:57 AM

No heat issue for me....I don't think the ST is as hot as some of my previous bikes. My old Connie was way hotter.

TMUS2122

08-02-2008, 08:45 AM

As this poll shows, not a issue for most. So why is it one of the most talked about issues? :D

topgun

08-02-2008, 06:28 PM

Got my new ST '08 in April this year and have experienced no heat problems of any kind. However, I will say I never ride without my riding boots and that probably keeps most of the heat away. I say that because in the last two weeks we've had 85-92 degree weather and that's my frame of reference. A good boot should keep the heat to a minimum in my part of the country. If it's 95-110 degrees it may be a different story.

Topgun

Gamecock

08-02-2008, 07:54 PM

Well, since I started this thread over a year ago, I've had a chance to ride my ST for almost two complete South Carolina Summers, including a cross-country trip to the Wing Ding in Billings, MT last year where the temps reached triple digits almost every day of the trip. I have not found the heat to be excessive. Do I get hot sometimes? sure. About as often as I got hot on my Honda Shadow or Concours. I have no doubt that others experience heat issues with their STs, but I'm grateful to have apparently gotten a "cool" one. I would hate for a heat problem to have ruined an otherwise nearly perfect bike for me.

lanman1203

08-06-2008, 10:57 AM

Krynn

08-06-2008, 11:04 AM

My '05 ST gets hot, but so does everything else when it's above 95 or so. I was out a week ago on a run when it was 100-102... It was kinda like pointing a overly large hair dryer at your whole body, except it was very humid. Not exactly fun.

Aside from the oven I was riding in, above 40mph or so, I was feeling no undue heat off of the bike. Even below 40, it wasn't that bad. Sure, it's hot. Kind of uncomfortable at a stop. Not anything I'm going to waste a lot of time trying to correct though. Just wear long pants, good boots, and hang an ankle out in the breeze for a bit if it gets too warm.

Now, my cowling pockets are another matter... I'd guess from the bottle of water I stashed in there that the left one gets somewhere above 150. I'm going try adding some reflective insulation and see if I can make them stay a bit cooler. I might look into venting the inner cowl, but I view that as a last resort measure. I'm not expecting miracles, but I would like to see it stay below 120. *shrugs* maybe I just need to store coffee or hot chocolate there instead of water...

KURT44

08-06-2008, 05:53 PM

As some others have said. I found that wearing my leather work
boots instead of tennis shoes solved the hot ankle problems.:PoPoST1:

Gamecock

08-06-2008, 09:11 PM

Gamecock,
I live in Taylors, about 14 miles from Greenville. I have ridden all summer in Greenville , Pickens, Oconee, well all over SC,NC, & eastern TN wothout any real heat issues. I think the fact that I wear riding boots at all times helps. But, I will say when caught in traffic in town it can get pretty hot. On the road and moving it's no problem... GO COCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Lanman, my usual riding apparel includes a tall pair of HD riding boots. Like you, I think this helps a little bit for the heat felt on the ankles and shins.

I'll get the ultimate heat test next week. I'll be taking a week long MSF Rider Coach training course in Columbia at Midlands Tech. 9 straight days of slow riding and standing in a parking lot in the middle of the hottest place on Planet Earth (I'm sure our AZ and NV friends will disagree). If the ST doesn't melt my lower legs off after next week, she never will. I'm looking forward to seeing how they will keep the air-cooled Harleys from over-heating.

sstolten

08-07-2008, 08:54 AM

I generally ride with the seat in the mid(f)-mid(b) position, but I've found that putting it in the high-mid position provides a little more airspace between my leg and the fairing, which provides some relief. In the high-mid position I can also feel a little more wind hitting my torso, which is also a plus (cal-sci shield in lowest position).

When the cold weather returns, I'll put the seat back down and enjoy the warmth radiating from below.

lanman1203

08-07-2008, 10:05 AM

Lanman, my usual riding apparel includes a tall pair of HD riding boots. Like you, I think this helps a little bit for the heat felt on the ankles and shins.

I'll get the ultimate heat test next week. I'll be taking a week long MSF Rider Coach training course in Columbia at Midlands Tech. 9 straight days of slow riding and standing in a parking lot in the middle of the hottest place on Planet Earth (I'm sure our AZ and NV friends will disagree). If the ST doesn't melt my lower legs off after next week, she never will. I'm looking forward to seeing how they will keep the air-cooled Harleys from over-heating.

Good Luck on your Coach Training. I took the advanced MSF course at Greenville Tech to brush up on low speed stuff in early June. HOT,HOT,HOT!!
And you're going to be doing this in the place Lou Holtz was quoted as saying
"It must be built on top of Hell". Drink lots of water and again Good Luck..:biker:

moosulkwanman

08-07-2008, 11:20 AM

I noticed some shin baking when I first got the bike and rode with shorts. It's been hot lately here in MS with temps in the 90's F everyday and heat index sometimes 110F

But when I installed the fairing air deflectors, and some knee pads (1.5 in thick soft rubber) on top of the fairing deflector knee pad I haven't noticed any heat problem since. Seems to me those knee pads (about 6 in wide x 10 in long x 2 in thick) insulate that engine heat along with the air being deflected off now.

Plus I don't usually ride with shorts, I either ride with jeans or riding pants most preferably, but it's a lot of trouble changing clothes from commuting to and from work.

Ken - Natchez, MS