Engine Heat?

[brianm767]

I'm thinking about getting rid of my Hayabusa and getting a sport tourer. I really dont think the FJR is enough of an st for me. )i'd rather have another cbr1100xx with bags)
I'm going to start commuting several hundred miles a day untill my wife returns from Iraq, I'm not looking forward to it , but my job is being relocated to San Francisco and I live in Fresno Ca, and I cant afford to go on unemployment with my wife gone with the National Guard.
I love the look a feel of the ST1300 but I'm concearned about how much heat it puts out since thats all I ever seem to hear about it. I used to own a CBR1100XX and man it got hot too, the tank and frame rails would get so hot they were hard to touch with the bare hand, I've ridden the FJR but I have not been able to ride an ST1300. is it that bad? It does get in the 100's here but I dont even ride my Busa much when its that hot. I know every one is different and this might be a bad question to ask , but i just wanted some feed back, I often see New st1300's with very low miles for sale and I always think they must be getting rid of them because of the heat issue? thank you .

[ST1300NH1]

At 85 degrees or less it's a non-issue. Above that it's really only an issue when you're stopped or don't have proper riding gear on your legs. In NE we have many more cool/cold riding days than the hot stuff, so it's actually a plus.

[Mellow]

I never had any heat issues when I had mine. In fact, I probably get hotter on the Wing due to the lack of air flow and the air buble that the fairing provides.

I'm in TX and have ridden many 100+ days on the ST, I don't know of a bike that won't get hot at those temps.

Some guys have issues and some don't, mine had the mirror and fairing deflectors which might have helped push the heat out.

I also always wore First Gear Mesh Tech pants regardless of the temps.

Oh, and there aren't any bad questions except those that aren't asked.

[dond]

Brian, as we slowly head towards fall and the cooler weather..(I know it'll be a bit longer) the thought of some extra heat will sound better all the time. :p:
The heat is not as big an issue as it's made out to be, Ride 'er hard and lots and as the miles pile up, the heat is less and soon juST a memory.
Thanks to you and your wife for your contribution and sacrifice.

[DubT]

I HAD a heat issue with my 03 ST but it is resolved!

Here is what I did:

1. Cut holes in the lower cowls to allow more air flow.
2. Installed the Honda fairing deflectors.
3. Used foam weatherstripping (1 1/4 X 1 1/4 square) to plug all of the holes in the seat/tank/frame area, this keeps the heat from migrating out under the seat.
4. Used abs and plugged the holes in the tip over covers.

At 97 degrees and 97 perecent humidity it is warm but but not a serious issue. I also wear the Firstgear Mesh pants.

DubT

[sokay]

Couple of weeks ago, for the first time in years, I took my ST instead of the bicycle to the beach. In the confusion of altering old beach-going habits, I wore shorts while on the ST. I thought there was a fair amount of heat on my legs. Later the same day I was riding with my jeans on. No heat. So. My new theory, ahem, which is my theory, ahem, is that one wants to wear something with loose trouser legs. The air between the fabric and the leg is an insulator. That is my theory which is mine. Ahem.

[kevinkrumnow]

As far as the heat goes, I drive over 100 miles per day commuting to and from work. This summer has been one of the warmest in several years. I haven’t any problem with the heat from the motorcycle.

[nurseBob]

brianm767,

I commute from Napa to SF, about 110 miles per day (I know it's far shorter than yours will be). Napa's not quite as warm as Fresno, but with my gear on I've really not noticed the heat on my legs. On my previous bike, an Intruder, I was always aware of the engine heat, especially when the radiator fan kicked-in. So, echoing a couple of others' comments, I really don't think it's as severe an issue as it may seem to the casual reader.

However, given the commute you're talking about, the seat is _very_ likely to be an issue. You'll likely want to look at some of the more comfortable seats (Corbin, Sargent, Russell).

Sorry to hear that circumstances are forcing you into some challenging times. Went through similar financial/job issues over the last couple of years myself. Hang in there!

Bob

[brianm767]

Thanks guys, I think if I do have to do the commute , I'll try the ST, after all most of my riding for fun is out of the valley and over to the coast where I'm usualy cold anyways so maybe it will be a bonus? And another bonus will be my wife will be able to ride with me when she gets back, She can only do about 100 miles on the busa and she's done for the day.

She likes the goldwind but I just cant picture my self on that yet, I've ridden them and man their like riding a huge sport bike but for $18K I'd probably get a me a Honda Civic to commute in and keep the Busa for fun?

[Rider]

Thanks guys, I think if I do have to do the commute , I'll try the ST, after all most of my riding for fun is out of the valley and over to the coast where I'm usualy cold anyways so maybe it will be a bonus? And another bonus will be my wife will be able to ride with me when she gets back, She can only do about 100 miles on the busa and she's done for the day.

I'd heard about how much heat is an issue with the ST before I bought it.
I won't deny that it's noticeable. As others have said, when it gets over about 85 degrees and it's humid (and it's always humid in Ohio), you notice it. But not enough to ruin my enjoyment of the bike at all.

She likes the goldwind but I just cant picture my self on that yet, I've ridden them and man their like riding a huge sport bike but for $18K I'd probably get a me a Honda Civic to commute in and keep the Busa for fun?
Since you've ridden one, you know what a capable and surprisingly quick bike it is. Never say never. You might have one in your future someday. :D

[drhude]

I live in Tucson Arizona where we ride in 90 to 100 degrees all the time. At first my legs got a bit warm so I put on on the Honda air deflector kit and it made a big difference. I always wear long pants and I feel that is a must and probably smart too. The heat is not that big of an issue. I ride my friends VTX 1800 and it puts out some heat too. Thats my opinion for what it's worth.

[brianm767]

Hey thanks again, and of course I allways wear long pants when I ride , usually First gear speed pants since I ride a sport bike but sometimes I do wear jeans.
And drhude I think your weather is very simular to Fresno's weather, so if you can do it I guess I can too, like I said my XX used to get very hot and when I sat at a light it would roast my legs so when I took off I would open them out to bring cool air into the bike and seat area to cool it off.
I dont know how Suzuki does it but my Hayabusa puts out absolutly no heat to the rider

And I do see my self on a Gold wing in the future, maybe when I'm a grandpa? Wait a minute I am a grandpa. And only 41 years old too , but I will be 42 tomorrow maybe its Goldwing time?

[td86]

My '00 ST1100 has the infamous heat problem. As long as I keep riding, it's tolerable; but if I stop in traffic...it heats up quick. I've removed the air thingies (my official term for them) that stop the air flow under the plastic tank by the front forks and it didn't really help. I just know to keep moving or it's going to get warm!

I can't wait for the cool weather to come to Texas!

[Horst]

Man, your ST1100 should not have any heat problems ... yes when you stop some heat comes up, but what are you stopping for ? ;)

The main difference between ST11's and ST13's is .. the location of the fuel tank ! ... the ST11 has a Gold Wing-style 'tank under the seat' which prevents most heat from getting up in the first place. The ST13's more typical tank location seems to be the problem.

Plus, all that weight on top ... think I'll just keep my '02 for awhile :D

[Carl_T]

Put on Honda air deflectors and there is no heat at 100 humid degrees with First gear air pants on (well, some warmth when standing still if the fan kicks on)... course that is with the faster color red 2005 model :D :03biker: :04biker: ~~~~~~~~~ :biker: You may or may not however decide you want to add a few bucks to spring for an aftermarket seat (which the wife would also appreciate).

[kingprawnokay]

Maybe some of you will find this interesting.

www.2wheelinnovations.com/ST1300_Heat_Blanket.htm