ST1300A-My Radiant Heat Shield 🛡️ project for ST

[jdmccright]

As the black boxes are clear in the back under the taillight molding, there's probably not much heat getting there from up front or below to the point of affecting potted and spec'd components inside the boxes. Just my $0.02 worth without empirical data to show otherwise.

I have an 1100, so you're wealthier than I. Its the main reason I won't buy a 2007 or earlier 1300.

 

[PanRider1300]

2006 and no problems.

 

[HelloEveryone]

We are all on the same journey together for the betterment of our ST, long live ST

 

[chrisemme1]

I admire the enthusiasm and the craftmanship, very impressive, but I wonder about the results.
Blocking the sides of the engine to stop heat from reaching the legs might just push more radiant heat toward the frame and tank. That area, right where the gas tank meets the seat, is already one of the hottest spots on the ST. Wrapping headers can make sense in some cases, but adding insulation or blocking airflow around the engine itself seems counterintuitive. It's not eliminating heat, it's just "blocking" heat arbitrarily, airflow is critical.
I’m genuinely surprised by the amount of time and effort dedicated to the task, but with all my respect, I don't see a solid foundation to support it.

I think we need to install a Mini Split heat pump to keep the rider comfortable and not worry about it anymore................ Just a thought..

 

[ST1100Y]

I think we need to install a Mini Split heat pump to keep the rider comfortable and not worry about it anymore................ Just a thought..

 

[ST Gui]

This looks like something you'd don for EVAs.

 

[ST1100Y]

This looks like something you'd don for EVAs.

That was always around (I guess that thread was another victim of "the great accidental 2026 delete"... )

COMPCOOLER Motorcycle Rider Solo ICE Chest Cooling System 6.0L Chest 12V DC Flow Control Mode with High Collar Vest

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There is even a version preventing swamp-crutch:

COMPCOOLER Motorcycle Rider Solo System with Seat Cooling Pad 12V Flow Control Mode

COMPCOOLER Motorcycle Rider Tandem ICE Cooler Cooling System will keep your body temperature at a comfortable range heat stress. Buy one today and stay cool!

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[HelloEveryone]

I have an 1100, so you're wealthier than I. Its the main reason I won't buy a 2007 or earlier 1300.

2008 ST13’s are pretty much updated, the 2010’s ST onwards are like the final revisions.

Yes 2008 and upwards good

Though if you refresh the 2007 and down with the updated items it’s pretty good too.

Hah

Heat's not coming ONLY from the exhaust. The entire engine is conducting/radiating heat away from the combustion chambers. The exhaust is just one exit route that heat takes. The cooling system, the heads, the block, oil, transmission, all of it is trying to shed heat as well. So, it's not a simple problem.

Many before have tried and experimented with wraps and shielding and ducting. Nothing wrong with getting fresh hands/brains on it, and time can yield advances in technology to better insulate the rider. I for one though would like to see more empirical data and not just butt "feels like" temp reports. Before and after data will show what works.

On that note, I also wonder if the excess heat is part of the reason why the early 1300s have ECU failures (the infamous flashing FI light). Curing one could prevent the other. To that I say good luck to you, Mr. Singapore!

The heat escapes out of the exhaust. No extra heat gets trapped in the exhaust or the engine. It all blows out the back. Wrapping headers is the most efficient way of lowering "underhood" temps. The only downside is that some have reported corrosion due to the wrap holding moisture. If this is a concern, then one would have to take this into consideration. If I was ever concerned with heat, I would wrap the pipes and if I had corrosion concerns, I would consider coating the pipes AND possibly wrapping them. The coating should help with temps as well as providing corrosion protection, but this is an extreme case... just saying. I never had much concern with heat with my ST.

It’s just for the fun of it, the ST13 is pretty much well designed overall.

The itch of tweaking

Heat's not coming ONLY from the exhaust. The entire engine is conducting/radiating heat away from the combustion chambers. The exhaust is just one exit route that heat takes. The cooling system, the heads, the block, oil, transmission, all of it is trying to shed heat as well. So, it's not a simple problem.

Many before have tried and experimented with wraps and shielding and ducting. Nothing wrong with getting fresh hands/brains on it, and time can yield advances in technology to better insulate the rider. I for one though would like to see more empirical data and not just butt "feels like" temp reports. Before and after data will show what works.

On that note, I also wonder if the excess heat is part of the reason why the early 1300s have ECU failures (the infamous flashing FI light). Curing one could prevent the other. To that I say good luck to you, Mr. Singapore!

Some just fun experiments as labour costs to do these over here is decent so can engage some of the craftsmanship to do whatever you can imagine. In this case the custom heat shield.

We’re really looking at radiant heat vs temp air heat. It’s just a fun experiment for $150 no brainer to see how it looks like after it’s completed.

As the black boxes are clear in the back under the taillight molding, there's probably not much heat getting there from up front or below to the point of affecting potted and spec'd components inside the boxes. Just my $0.02 worth without empirical data to show otherwise.

Have been riding with the knock sensor code issue in mine for several years now, just not to the point of triggering it at 4K RPM and resetting it as quickly as possible when I forget I'm still in 4th when merging onto the interstate!

Haven't gotten into heavy troubleshooting after trying several now but I know I have a melted right side knock sensor connector. I'll eventually get to it to see if that or the associated harness fixes it. Still getting high 40s mpg at 69mph so not sure it'll get much better regardless.

On your next side fairing opening, take a look at how close the exhaust is to the coolant reservoir tank (left side) and knock sensor wires.

On the right side see that the exhaust is just next to the right coolant hoses.

So some heat shielding will help offer life prolonging effects to some parts

Wrapping does help with the heat. I have them wrapped for two years now and very happy with the result.
I have the motor on the bridge now because the weather is to cold.
I can find nowhere bad signs from the wrapping. Cables are fine. Tupperware is also fine.

What you are doing would not help in my opinion.

Yes wrapping is the common way to go about it

Checkout the pics again.

There is heat shield between exhaust and the sides of the engine

There is heat shield preventing radiant heat from going upwards

But there is no heat shield towards riders legs or downwards

So the concern is not about feeling the heat, it is more designed to prevent radiant heat from headers back towards the engine and upwards

Back = ok
Down = ok
Up = blocked with air gap
Side towards engine = blocked

You are spot on

It is more about radiant heat protection

Yes same, I have no concern wit the ST Heat, Just prolonging the engine parts from being damaged by Radiant Heat

In all fairness, we can changeout the parts and wires then they are fried overtime by radiant heat and that’s that most owner does when it’s time to change

The irony of it is when the wire melts or have cross effect like shorting or some mechanical malfunction that we tend to ponder on whether it is age related, mileage related or something else (heat perhaps).

I admire the enthusiasm and the craftmanship, very impressive, but I wonder about the results.
Blocking the sides of the engine to stop heat from reaching the legs might just push more radiant heat toward the frame and tank. That area, right where the gas tank meets the seat, is already one of the hottest spots on the ST. Wrapping headers can make sense in some cases, but adding insulation or blocking airflow around the engine itself seems counterintuitive. It's not eliminating heat, it's just "blocking" heat arbitrarily, airflow is critical.
I’m genuinely surprised by the amount of time and effort dedicated to the task, but with all my respect, I don't see a solid foundation to support it.

If you really look at the simple heat shield design, there are air gaps all over it

The natural window from the front and the radiator fans will still flow though them as per normal.

The trap is the radiant heat just staying at the heat shield which will be cooled off by the airflow and the wind coming from the radiator fans.

That means the radiant heat is trap in an air gap around the exhaust area only preventing it from going any further if the heat shields weren’t there