St Heating issue. (driver not the engine)

[x_caliber50]

Hello all. I wonder if you guys might be able to shed some light on this issue that seems to keep coming up as I research getting a ST myself. I've been reading reviews on the net and talking with some biker friends of mine about the ST1300. One drawback to this bike seems to be an issue with heat radiating out and making the rider uncomfortable. Especially for drivers in the southern regiens of the country. The opinion is that this issue has not been fixed by the manufactor till the 2006 model year. It is also the opinion that owners have succsesfully resolved this issue with thier own modifications.

I would really like to hear what you think of this reputation the ST has and any solutions that have been implimented by those here that have experienced it.

Thanks everyone.

x

[henryw]

I've ridden an ST1300 since November, 2003 and never had any issue(s) with excess heat.
That said, the inside of the fairing "glove boxes" do get warm. Don't leave a chocolate bar in there!
Now is probably as good a time as any to go public with my theory on this heat issue.

The ST1300 has a "closed loop" emission control system that uses oxygen sensors in the exhaust to provide data which, in turn, is used to control the "richness" of the fuel mixture. Not enough oxygen, lean out the mixture; too much, add a bit more fuel to the mix.
As I understand it, an engine running lean also runs hot (someone correct me on this if I have it wrong).
Now, I have always used Sunoco Ultra 94 gas in my ST. That also happens to be an oxygenated fuel that contains up to ten percent ethanol.
So...
my theory is that by using the oxygenated fuel, I fake out the oxygen sensors and actually cause the engine to run a bit rich. (I don't know if the higher octane plays a role here as well.) Hence, no heat problem.
I would be interested to know what kind of fuel is used by the people reporting heat problems with their ST.

Anyhow, I would be pleased to hear what others think of this.

Thanks, Bill

[eddiemack]

I have a 2004 model and yes it does have a little heat down by the legs but it isn't the kind of heat that will fry the boot. I do tend to ride in colder weather however as I live in New England and I always wear boots. I suppose if I wore shorts I'd feel more heat. Anyway.. I actually like the added heat and might even install adjustable vents so I can throw some of that heat on my legs when the weather gets really cold. I think a lot of the heat issue you hear about is due to the difference in riding climates and pain tolerance of the rider.

[curmudgeon]

Mark me down as finding the heat issue non-existent. I have ridden my 05 in temps up to 108 with no problem. I also haven't made any modifications for the so called heat issue. It's possible that humidity may be a factor here. In the west where I ride I believe the humidity is quite a bit lower then the east and south parts of the country.

Phil

[Jedei]

I have felt the heat; I wouldn't call it an issue. If you're riding wearing shorts in 90F+ you'll feel some heat off the engine.

My recommendation? Put pants on.

[dbst1300]

Trim the inner fairing liners to let ambient air into the fairing and all is good. I have owned three ST1300 bikes.........all are hot in the St Louis humid, muggy summers and trimming the inner fairing liners eliminates the problem. It takes about 30 minutes to fix the "heat" problem.

Dennis

[Tor]

I live in SC, and yes it gets hot down here in the swamps in the summer, but have never had any heat issues with my 05 ST. Yes I feel warm air coming up from the mill when I sit at red lights, just like you feel it on any other bike. I don't have any issues with it.

[Big Al]

This past summer one day it was 99' degrees, and I admit I couldn't help but change into my shorts on that day's ride. At about speeds of up to 10-35 mph I could really feel the heat on the shins. It was pretty intolerable at times, where as whith the pants on, it was barely noticable in comparison. - I've sinse added the Honda fairing deflector set on it and ,as I have noticed a slight difference in wind/heat deflection, there hasn't beennany conciderable hot weather here since, in the NorthEast, to measure it by.

[Rob (from Hoosierville)]

I can feel it on the right side under certain conditions, namely above about 80-85 degrees and in city traffic under 30 or so mph. Not really a big deal, and not as bag as my old GL1800 under the same circumstances. I was worried about the heat before I bought mine. It was nothing to worry about. One of my riding buddies has a Harley Road Glide and another has a Heritage Softail. Both of those radiate heat worse than the ST under the same conditions.

[CaST]

Trim the inner fairing liners to let ambient air into the fairing and all is good. I have owned three ST1300 bikes.........all are hot in the St Louis humid, muggy summers and trimming the inner fairing liners eliminates the problem. It takes about 30 minutes to fix the "heat" problem.

Dennis

What's the procedure? Mine gets very hot in the summer here in Sonoma, CA.

[Doobage]

This is one of the common, yet few complaints.

As best can be surmised is that it is "subjective" to the rider. Some people feel it and others don't.

I live in Houston Texas. It's hot, humid and all that good stuff. The only time I ever felt significant heat was when I got stuck on a freeway for about 45 minutes, standing on black asphault and the outside temp reached 109 that day (a few days before Rita). But upon getting the bike up to speed, the heat cooled down. All my other rides in 95+ heat have been difficult to feel heat, and I've tried, including taking my gloves off and reaching around the engine area at stop lights, while riding, etc... And I just can't find it.

I don't have any modifications for heat that some on the board have tried and felt it did the trick. The two primary ones are the removal of an inner cowl in the fairing and the other biggie is the wind deflectors. I don't think either is expensive or time consuming and seems to help those that find it hot.

What I'd like to do is meet with someone that does have the heat issue and switch bikes for a few miles to see if I feel it and if they don't feel it on mine. I'd find this very surprising if it were the case, but it's an experiment worth doing.

The glove boxes do get warm during the summer, especially if you are doing lots of stops and I've heard the removal/modification to the inner cowl does the trick to cool them down. My pockets haven't been as hot as others have reported, but it has been warm enough in there that I wouldn't put anything heat sensitive in there (I'd say mine might have reached as hot as 120).

Hope this helps.

[nurseBob]

The glove boxes do get warm during the summer, especially if you are doing lots of stops and I've heard the removal/modification to the inner cowl does the trick to cool them down. My pockets haven't been as hot as others have reported, but it has been warm enough in there that I wouldn't put anything heat sensitive in there (I'd say mine might have reached as hot as 120).
The glove boxes are "warm" in winter too. I wouldn't put any kind of electronics in either of them.
As to the broader heat issue, I'm in the group that hasn't noticed, when wearing my normal riding gear. (I've been in temps up to 115, and spent hours above 100.) But, on those rare occasions when I've not been adhering to my ATGATT philosophy, I've been aware of very noticable warmth on my lower legs in around town driving. I have no experience with higher speeds without proper gear.
HTH

Bob

[x_caliber50]

OK Looks like this is kind of a hit or misss issue. If I did feel it also looks like the kind of thing that would be easy and inexpensive to correct.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

X

[sherob]

You can put me in the same boat as Doobage ;) I live on the otherside of town from him and don't have a heat issue... I also see it as a subjective issue :) Heat... what heat... it's always hot :D

[nurseBob]

:) Heat... what heat... it's always hot :D Uhm... I think that's the Dallas (Katy) standard weather report. On the West Coast (SF version) in the summer it's "morning fog, burning off by 2 O'Clock in the city (SF), and in the 90's to low 100's inland (that's only 25 miles folks)" Seems to confuse tourists when packing.:eek:

[dond]

MoST of the complaints/comments about the ST's heat come from folks who don't own one :p:

[nurseBob]

I know, you gotta love it. Where else can it be 107 degrees, you get on your bike and in 30 minutes have 68 and fog. Nice.:cool: I will miss that if I leave CA.
When I used to commute from Walnut Creek to the City (the same 25 miles) it would be 70 in SF and 105 at home. I was riding public transit, leaving around 4:30 AM wearing a jacket. When I'd get back in the afternoon people looked at me, wondering what the Heck I was doing with a jacket in 105 degree weather. I think you just have to live that one.

I hope you don't have to leave this unique area. The microclimates must have had a role in creating all the wonderful twisties. Here's to things getting more stable!:bow1:

[sherob]

I know, you gotta love it. Where else can it be 107 degrees, you get on your bike and in 30 minutes have 68 and fog. Nice.:cool: I will miss that if I leave CA.

I have that here... 68 to 78 degrees in the morning... 98% humidity 100 degrees in the afternoon... 25 miles home, 76 degrees inside :D It's the same :cool:

[nurseBob]

I have that here... 68 to 78 degrees in the morning... 98% humidity 100 degrees in the afternoon... 25 miles home, 76 degrees inside :D It's the same :cool:
Sherob,

That's like saying "it's the same" to the last time I was in Death Valley where it was 115 in the shade and 70 "inside." NOT! (It's that darn "dry heat" thing agin):D

[RoadSurfer]

Trim the inner fairing liners

Sorry, could someone explain that one to me? What are the inner fairing liners and what does it mean to "trim" them?

On my last demo ride I did feel an uncomfortable amount of heat (and I was wearing just regular jeans rather than my usual riding pants), but I thought the fix was to get the fairing deflector kit so that the heat flowing out the side openings in the fairing woud be deflected away from your legs.

[Mike]

IT'S A DRY HEAT !

[dbst1300]

Trimming the inner fairing liners:

1. Remove both inner fairing liners...it involves about 5 plastic push pins and one machine screw per side.

2. Remove the ambient temperature sensor from the right side inner fairing (one screw).

3. Removing both inner fairing liners involves about 5 minutes once you are familiar with where and what they are. They finish off the interior of the fairing and direct virtually all fresh air from the front of the bike at speed through the radiator, around the engine, and exit near the heads/your knees.

4. I have taken the liberty to ride the bike with neither inner fairing liner installed and with the ambient temperature sensor safety tied to the middle (painted) fairing. However, I have found that by removing a substantial portion of the inner fairing liner with a utility knife, jig saw, etc. so that you leave only about a 1 1/2" perimeter (and the original mounting holes) you can re-install the inner fairing liners with the original hardware/screws/plastic push pins to maintain fairing integrity and strength.

I have ridden three ST1300s a total of 33,000 miles with this modification and with no problems in all types of weather. While some may not have a problem with the heat, I do. It is very humid and hot in the St Louis summertime and this alleviates a lot of the unbearable heat from the bike and allows me to ride in relative comfort. The bike was so hot as to be unbearable above 80 degrees with high humidity before this fix.

I ride with either Joe Rocket Ballistic or First Gear HT overpants 98% of the time and the bike is tolerable.

Dennis

[Medicine Bear]

You can put me in the same boat as Doobage ;) I live on the otherside of town from him and don't have a heat issue... I also see it as a subjective issue :) Heat... what heat... it's always hot :D

+1 for me. I make the triangle out of Doobage and Sherob. I only notice (emphasis on "notice" as it doesn't bother me) the heat in the rare times I'm on a short ride and not wearing boots.

I also find that twisting the handle on the right handlebar usually gets rid of any heat problem too. The harder you twist, the cooler it gets! :D

Fred :03biker:

[NormanPCN]

The primary heat complaint I have read about is around the shin. This is the radior exhaust contacting your leg. Depending on where you position your feet on the pegs you will fell the heat more or less. What I am talking about here is your shin bone. No "meat" in that area and can be more sensitive to heat. The inner cowl venting, or removal, you read about is letting ambient air mix with the radiator exhaust to lower its temp.

Been riding since Dec '03. Initially I had an issue with heat at times. No longer do. That is not to say it does not get pretty warm/hot down there. I do tuck my legs in closer these days. Not because of heat but because I prefer it. This happened by accident when I removed the tank pads to do a reposition and decided to keep them off. I have vented my inner cowls. Not for leg heat, but to cool off the fairing pockets.

A hot (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4912&highlight=mojave) story.

[ST/SV]

Well I'm in the middle of the triangle of Sherob, Medicine Bear and Doobage. Noticed the heat when I first got the :04biker: but don't even think about it now until after the ride when I reach for my disc lock in the fairing pocket and it feels like a hot potato. :eek:

[STArnie13]

I have noticed a little heat on my legs but nothing bad. The highest my thermometer has read while riding has been 94 degrees. I seldom ride over 90 degrees. Some ride well past 100 and say they don't have a problem and others have sold the bike because they can't take the heat.

As far as Honda improving the situation for 06-I wouldn't bet on it. Honda doesn't like to make many changes to the ST and if they did change something many current owners would be after them to do a recall.:03biker:

[FL-STRIDER]

I live just outside of Tampa Florida. I've read bunches on this heat issue and I too can honestly say I've never been bothered by it. I typically wear boots and bluejeans when riding and have never felt uncomfortable. I once washed the bike and took it around the corner for a quick spin dry while wearing just shoes with no socks and yea I could feel the heat then. Otherwise its never bothered me. What I find as a bigger issue is the heat in the fairing pockets. I'll deal with that the next time I take the plastic off. I going to try some thin quilted foil insulation material I got from my aerospace job. This material should reduce the internal temperature a few degrees.

[g17]

I think just about every review of the ST that I have read in magazines has indicated that the bike produces a lot of heat. However, I don't believe the ST puts out any more heat than other bikes that I've ridden. Summer in Louisiana and Texas is hot and I managed about 5,000 miles during the summer without any complaints. I did ride a few miles to the local store once wearing shorts..I know, I know..and felt heat around my ankles and lower shins. However, it was about 100 degrees outside and I'm sure I would have felt some heat even if riding a bicycle. Anyway, don't let the "heat issue" be your determining factor for not choosing the world's best bike.:cool:

[Just Joey]

I going to try some thin quilted foil insulation material I got from my aerospace job. This material should reduce the internal temperature a few degrees.

I wonder if using a good high temp paint and painting the under part of the fairing would help? I was thinking of doing that if I had any heat issues this summer.

I wouldn’t think I would have much of a problem though. I am already used to straddling a V-twin engine in upper 90 degrees and high humidly in Louisiana.

Joseph

[pablowablo]

Yes, the heat is there and no it's not that bad, to me, considering the following:

Let's see, we have a 125hp 16 valve 4 cylinder high performance engine burning 91 octane all covered up in a nice aerodynamic fairing. We're sitting directly behind it and the heat has to go somewhere right?

[Bones]

The most talk I hear about ST heat comes from my Beemer buddies who are looking for something to razz me about. I always wear riding pants and don't feel the heat. As I've mentioned before, in New England we're more likely concerned with finding ways to add heat.

The fairing pockets can get hot but I don't carry chocolate bars up there so it's not a big deal. (If melting sweets are an issue for any of you, I recommend Twizzlers.)

[Pred8tor]

When I first got my ST, I was somewhat bothered by the heat, especially on the warmer days of summer. During those early days of ownership, I was riding in jeans and sneakers. After I bought my boots, I no longer noticed any heat issues. My boots are fairly tall, and so my shins are protected from any heat coming from that portion of the fairing.

[x_caliber50]

Anyway, don't let the "heat issue" be your determining factor for not choosing the world's best bike.:cool:

Not at all, I just like to know what needs to be done before going in. In my experience all bikes have little thing that a person has to do to them in order to make the bike unique to that person. I don't think i'd have it any other way. I like being able to make my bike my own.

As it stands now i'm about 95% sure i'll be getting a ST. Im just waiting on Bike week so I can do some good test rides of the four machines i'm interested in. My first and current bike is a Suzuki Boulevard C50. Great bike by the way. But after having it a year and putting about 8k miles on it I decided I wanted to do a little touring. The bikes im looking at now are.

Suzuki M109R (My favorite bike. I love the sport styling on a cruiser bike. But the bike isn't going to be avalable til March and accesories are gonna be a real ***** to find for the first year its out.)
BMW R1200RT (The thing is just too damn much money)
Kawasaki Nomad 1600 (can't fit a helmet in the hard-bags and I kinda wanted to own a "sport" bike for a year to see if I like them as well as cruisers )
Honda ST1300 (seems just right)

[racer1735]

To me, the heat is not an issue. I never ride without wearing riding boots and Goretex riding pants, so they probably act as an insulation against the heat. Upper body isn't a concern, either. My previous two bikes (a Kaw. Concourse and a Suzuki Bandit 1200) were noticably warm themselves. Want cool? Drive a car.

[805gregg]

It's the exhaust that gets hot, some time when you have the plastic off just get some header wrap tape and put it on, exhaust heat then goes out the back, where it should be, also helps scavaging effect.This absolutly works, I rode 1 1/2 hrs to the motorcycle show, when I parked my bike a couple of ST riders from Pasadena came over, to talk, I showed them my wrapped headers and then opened my storage compartments, they could not believe how cool the compartments were, (they just get warm now never hot) both said when they had thir bikes open they would wrap theirs. Jegs .com about $40 get (2) sets of stainless clamps.

[tccox]

Comute to work here in Charlotte (Huntersville) NC... Rode in traffic with air temp 104 DEG F for several days this summer. NO heat problem at all with this bike, in fact its much more comfortable to ride in high heat than my last bike, a 2002 BMW R1150RA. The glove compartments do get a bit warm but certainly not hot enough to melt sunglasses as was reported in the BMW Owners news. Warm, not hot. This is the best bike I've ever owned for riding to work in our hot southern summers. Love it more each day I own it.

[OldWingit]

I think the magazine testers are correct, the engine heat did bother me. The good news is that the problem is easily fived, doesn't screw up the looks like most farkles and doesn't cost a dime. Just remove the two inner fairing pieces and chuck them under your work bench. I cut off the upper forward corner of the removed cowls and used that to tie the side fairing top to the under headlight plastic. I now bring the ice cream home in the fairing pockets. Well almost.

Ed

[NormanPCN]

It's the exhaust that gets hot, some time when you have the plastic off just get some header wrap tape and put it on, exhaust heat then goes out the back, where it should be, also helps scavaging effect.

I will disagree with that except in the situation when the bike is static or relatively static.

[Fireball18]

I had an '03 ST and experienced some heat. I did a few mods, including removing the inner fairing cowles, which made a difference. I had the heat saddle blanket for awhile, then took it off and didn't notice any difference in heat. In fact, there was no heat issue until the outside airtemp rose above about 80 or 85 degrees. Then I could feel some heat at the shin level. Also, as the fuel level in the gas tank went down, there seemed to be more heat coming from the back of the tank. Less gas in it to cool the heat, I guess. I never rode with just shorts and tennis shoes.

I did have a couple observations, though. One was the realization that the real issue isn't the heat--all engines produce a lot of heat. Its the management or lack thereof that makes the difference. Second, just how much heat I felt on my legs seemed to be related to how strong the wind was blowing and whether it was a cross wind or tailwind.

I dunno. I guess the heat thing is all relative. I was just careful not to put anything heat sensitive or meltable in the fiaring pockets. Oh yeah, when it's 105 degrees out, everything's hot!!

[Angus]

I've done the grid of holes in both inner cowles, and that keeps the fuel tank much cooler . Last Sunday on the freeway, the faster I went, the hotter my feet got. I'm sure the heat is coming from the headers that affects my feet at speed. I removed the lower left cowl to change the fluid in the clutch system and decided to remove the right as well and try that. I went for a long ride today with my heavy boots and leather chaps on and was amazed how much cooler my feet were. No one even noticed that they were missing! The only downside will be riding in the rain when my feet will be more exposed to the water from the front wheel splash, but it has not rained here for over three months so I'll continue to ride a lower naked bike for a while and enjoy the cool breezes. It will only take 10 minutes to remove both lower cowles, so give it a try.

[Towjam]

So far, I've only had the opportunity to ride in temps that topped out around 80 degrees. I did feel a little heat but nothing I would consider too uncomfortable. (But ask me again this summer when we daily hit 100+ and I'm doing my daily rush-hour commute in stop/go traffic.)

If you want to feel some real heat, try these:

Buell XB12 - when the rear cylinder fans kicks in, it blows directs hot air out the right side of the bike - right at your thigh. If you're not wearing leathers, you can actually develop a blister. I know this first hand.

Harley '06 tourer - To appease the EPA, Harley has leaned out the fuel mixture on the '06 touring line. You can cook one one of these in slow traffic. (In fact, excess engine heat was one of the primary reasons my local LEO agency dropped HD from consideration when they were getting bids to update their existing fleet of RT1150s.)

Harley '06 Dyna SuperGlide - another bike I had for a short time (traded in for my RT due to QC issues - this particular bike should never have left the factory. But I digress...) In slow traffic, the heat from HD's FI TC88 will make your legs sweat like a whore at prayer meeting.


my $.02

[deanrd]

I tried out an St1300 last summer in Manchester, NH and it was 94degs. I felt some on the highway about 65mph, but I felt that on mine bike on the way over. I thought it was hot in traffic thru town until I got back on my Multistrada to go home. I got more heat out of the naked bike at slow speed. Boots and riding pants on always. Like everyone else. When its hot - its hot.

[Highrider]

Ajaugust and I are trying an experiment to reduce radiant heat from the exhaust headers. The heat has been more of a problem for Alan on his '04, not so much for me on my '05.
We sent the pipes to Jet Hot for ceramic coating. If the heat situation is not affected, at least they will look real good for the life of the bike. The coatings are applied inside and outside the pipes and are suppose to improve the operation of the engine, as well. I've done a little porting work on the restrictive welded areas at the exhaust port as a performance experiment.
7 years ago I put these coatings on the exhaust headers of my 1935 pickup to protect the body paint from heat, about 1/2" from the header - and it works great.:D
We should have the bikes back together this weekend. After the weather warms up we will be able to give a report on how effective these coatings are to reduce the heat on the shins. Attached are some before and after pics of the pipes.

Dave
:biker:

[DubT]

Here is a post that I posted some time back.

I HAD a heat issue with my 03 ST but it is resolved! I am new to road riding and did not have a baseline, I did not like the heat so I made several changes and I am now happy with the bike.

Call it subjective if you want to, however to me it was hot, and now it is not.

Here is what I did:

1. Cut holes in the lower cowls to allow more air flow. A little help.
2. Installed the Honda fairing deflectors. Big difference, they really should be standard from the factory IMHO.
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. This is also a big help.
4. Used abs and plugged the holes in the tip over covers. Helps keep the heat off of the feet.
5. Installed Two Brothers Exhaust system. Might help some, can't tell for sure, really like the sound though.

At 97 degrees and 97 perecent humidity it is warm but but not an issue. I also wear Firstgear Mesh pants and Gaerne riding boots.

DubT

[lbo]

I have a 2006 with 1300 miles and the honda deflectors. Heat is still a problem, so the big "H" haven't solved it yet. I live in the desert with very high temperatures for much of the year. I will need to use one of the fixes on this site.

[sandman]

I only have issues with the ST's heat when the air temp is above 85 degrees. Once I added the mirror and fairing extensions the issue was greatly reduced.

Gordon

[LarryKathy]

Well, Since this is my first post, I just registered, it may not go so well.. You have got to be kidding me.... I dont feel any heat??? LOL
I bought my ST1300 on Saturday and you could fry an egg on my shins!!! That's just my humble opinion but.....
I'm going to be looking for some kind of mods to help with this.
Otherwise, I've had Z1's, 750-4s, and this bike is awesome. It's a little whinny, LOL, but I'm loving it!!

Later

[profbobbyb]

Trim the inner fairing liners to let ambient air into the fairing and all is good. I have owned three ST1300 bikes.........all are hot in the St Louis humid, muggy summers and trimming the inner fairing liners eliminates the problem. It takes about 30 minutes to fix the "heat" problem.

Dennis

Hi Dennis,
Can you please send me a detailed explanation of "trimming the inner fairing liners." Thanks. I live in FL and my 2005 ST1300 is H-O-T when the temps are above 90 degrees, like today. Please send your explanation to
rbarnesky@tampabay.rr.com and parsnboggies@yahoo.com

Thanks Dennis.
Cheers,
Bobby B.

[storm]

I have noticed some heat issues with the heat leaking through the faring joints. I normally wear light pants or shorts and always tennis shoes. I sealed up the joints with black duct tape under the faring parts so it does not show and this issue is no more. Most days here I wish more heat would excape onto me as it has been 50 to 70 and I have more cold issues than hot. I did also plug the idle air jets which richen the mix, this will lower the exhaust temps a bit and sure make the bike run better - st1100 (99)

[BamaRider]

:BDH:

[mshihrer]

with all this talk about heat, why hasn't someone actually put a thermometer and read what the temperatures are? Especially the people that have the problem? I'm thinking about doing it, I have a Fluke digital thermometer with an external probe wire. I think it even keeps track over time. That said, maybe can get a real number to all this and put this issue to rest. BTW, I don't have any heat issues at all, but I don't ride much around town, pretty much mountains and hiways and stuff.

[Actionfigurejoe]

The best solution I found is to wrap my lower legs in reflective, aluminized tape. Mid-thigh down to the ankle area is ideal. It's a little stiff and hard to walk at first. But after an hour the tape begins to conform to the shape of my legs. The only problem is leg hair. It hurts like a SOB pealing it off. I figure a little Nair should smooth out that problem. The stuff did freak out my wife the first time I came to bed. The dogs sniffed around it a bit too.

[CZman]

Can you please provide a photo or description of what you mean by trimming the fairing. I would like to try this on my 03'.

[sam7]

Actionfigurejoe
As curious as I am about your procedure to deal with the heat, I think it is best that you don't post pictures. Especially don't post pictures of the removal process. I'm not sure we could all handle that.

[gregj]

Hi Dennis,
Can you please send me a detailed explanation of "trimming the inner fairing liners." Thanks. I live in FL and my 2005 ST1300 is H-O-T when the temps are above 90 degrees, like today. Please send your explanation to
rbarnesky@tampabay.rr.com and parsnboggies@yahoo.com

Thanks Dennis.
Cheers,
Bobby B.

Look on page 3, post #22, he has the instructions there.

[kamranwpi]

I did, all of these seems a bit complicated with out any pictures. I am pretty technical comes to bikes, but I will like to see plenty of data before doing any of these operations on my bike.

Has any of you done on your bike such things? If so what sort of results you got?

Also one good thing living in New England is nice that you need as much heat as you can take during the winter times, and I bet it wont be an issue come september/october/nov/feb/march....I took Dec/Jan out of conversation cuz you just 4get about it, except it's over 40 deg out there.

Thanks

[Rotorhead]

Just remove those suckers altogether. I did on my "06 over a year ago with no ill effects. This way you don't hack up the OEM fairings in case you sell the bike later. The outers have no trouble what-so-ever with triple digit speeds with inners removed and the cooling effect is DRAMATIC....at least it is to me :)

[kamranwpi]

Just remove those suckers altogether. I did on my "06 over a year ago with no ill effects. This way you don't hack up the OEM fairings in case you sell the bike later. The outers have no trouble what-so-ever with triple digit speeds with inners removed and the cooling effect is DRAMATIC....at least it is to me :)

Remove what suckers? Please people give a bit more information... Couple photos will do good too...

[whittlebeast]

I have had my headers wraped for 6 months now. I never realy rode the bike without that mod. I just did the fearing thing in about 15 min. The differance is huge. Just remove the two pieces the are on either side of the forks. The triangle behind the tire does not have to be removed. I bet it is a 6 month mod, Put this stuff back and ride all winter the other 6 months. The only reason I did not do it sooner is I assumed all that this mod required removing the outer tupperware. Silly me.

AW

[tgillespie]

Has anyone come up with a good answer to the heat issue with the 2005 ST1300? I live in Northern California and on days when the temps are above about 80 it gets so hot that I have actually gotten heat rash on my legs from the hot air coming out of this bike. I made a bad mistake of riding in shorts the other day and it was so unbearable that I had to spread my legs out to keep from getting burned. When the weather is cold this problem becomes a benefit and it is kind of nice how it helps warm you?

[cmguerrero]

I ride in Miami where its always pretty warm and I've always felt some heat on the right side. On really hot days, the heat becomes very obvious. But I can see where the "heat" in a non-issue in cooler states.

[Rotorhead]

The "suckers" to which I refer are the inner cowls as described by WhittleBeast. I also added these

http://www.hondadirectlineusa.com/stores/product.asp?pid=2421&str=10&ID=888873162

Have'nt wrapped the headers. I'm still concerned/curious about long term effects on the stainless steel pipes due to the increase in heat retention due to lack of cooling. Engineer buddy says that it may cause premature cracking due to metal fatigue. Those pipes get plenty hot without the wrap.
Anyone have some long term experience???

Even so, I have no significant heat issues as opposed to intialriding without these two mods. Lower legs felt like fried chicken on Georgia asphalt in August!

[storm]

I am guessing this issue is only with the 1300 as the 1100 seems OK as long as your seal the joints in the tupperware. (for those that ride in shorts)

[Spencer]

Hmmm...I don't have a "heat issue" on either bike but for those that
ride in both hot and cold weather and do, would something like this 2-1/2"
aircraft vent (adjustable and closable) one installed on each side, solve their
need for venting in summer and heat in winter?

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/vistavents.jpg
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/vistavents.php

For $16 someone should try it?

Some other pretty cool NACA vents and stuff for airflow:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/ap/vents.html

Spencer

[Talonboy]

I just removed the inner cowls from my bike yesterday. Well, to no ones surprise, it does work. I guess by removing these more air goes around the radiator, so the air coming out the side of the bike is a mix of hot air, and cool air. The bike is much cooler to ride when the temp is over 80f.

[gregj]

I just removed the inner cowls from my bike yesterday. Well, to no ones surprise, it does work. I guess by removing these more air goes around the radiator, so the air coming out the side of the bike is a mix of hot air, and cool air. The bike is much cooler to ride when the temp is over 80f.

Mine is a brand new 07, and felt the heat since day one. Note I came off a VTX 1800, so I know hot when I feel it. I pulled my inner cowls off last night, the ride home this afternoon will be the test (ride in to work this am was fairly cool, below 70*). If works, this will be great. I can keep the cowls off till the temps drop, then pop them back on and ride till feb (or when the black ice keeps her in the garage).