I've tried to "tame the heat" also , with fair results. The noticeable improvements were raising the seat to the middle position and wearing riding boots. I can reach down and feel how hot my pants get though on hot summer days. Taller boots do make a difference.
If you have the legs for it, go for it! My 32" inseam prevents me from using the high seat setting..... I tippy toe on the middle setting also, mostly because of my RDL saddle I think.
That's the solution! Move to a cooler clime and ride on cold days!
This...
Yes, I'm alot of legs. 34" inseam. I'll try just the beads first, maybe.
I don't think I have a particularly hot ST13,,, but I decided to take my inner cowls out, shortly after getting the bike. Like many others,,, I never put them back in. Takes 20 minutes to do. Allows a ton of cooler air to dilute the hot air surrounding the engine. If you don't like the results,,, just put the inner cowls back in, which takes another whole 20 minutes. I have seen some fancy cutout efforts on the cowls,,, and even on the outer fairings, (gosh,, I could never cut my outer fairings). But I can guarantee that filling the inner cowls with holes and a few slots will never flow as much air around the rad, as simply taking the inner cowls out. Do the simple stuff first and see if you like results,,, if you don't, then put 'em back. Also,, for long legged pilots,,, realize that moving the seat up can open up a hot air channel that allows hot air to be sucked into the crotch zone (sing: "chestnuts roasting on an open fire") by the natural low pressure region between your torso and the dash. With my 30" inseam,,, I don't have this problem,,, but I have seen a tank to seat gap blocked up with piece of round foam pipe insulation. Again,,, easy to test and if you don't like the results,,, you are only out 10 minutes work and 99 cents worth of pipe foam. I ride locally with ankle boots and bare shins in the summer heat. So I don't believe that a hot bike can not be cured,,, cheers,, CAt'
I'll try to get some pictures later today, our internet is not working well, ( Windstream), but I'll get a few pictures, and add some instructions. Can't beat the price.
Cat, I'm with you . Easy stuff first. I'll try removing the inner cowl. I have a bead rider arriving in a couple days. Thanks . I'll post what I think.
Cat, because I have not removed any body work on this bike (or any) before, could you explain removing the inner cowls in some detail?
I hear ya. No hole saws to the Tup inner or especially outer. But— is somebody made some elegant scoops or ducts that would be a definite maybe for me. The question would then become where is that air going to go. But it would look cool. And maybe they could be made to have that very cool Airwolf sound at speed.
Well done on several levels. Watching some of these ride videos on the YT I don't understand why the author feels it's good to have loud bike had wind noises assaulting our ears. Maybe Noraly does it in post but I never notice the bike in her vids.
I'm sure cat will respond to your request. I'll try to help.....
