Fairing Air Deflector Set VS. Engine Heat

DWJ Honda

DWJ Honda

I once had a Gold Wing
Joined
Apr 20, 2005
Messages
67
Age
62
Location
Northern New Jersey
Bike
2005 ST1300A
I've owned an '05 ST1300 for about a year, and about had it with the heat. Am considering trading in for a different bike, maybe seeing what Honda's '07 line-up looks like.

I took out the inner cowls and still got a ton of heat on my ankles and feet. Put them back and am trying to pinpoint exactly where the heat is coming from. I don't get much from the tank or seat area, its almost all coming from the sides of the fairing where the engine sticks out on each side. (Big surprise!)

I live in NJ, today it was 75 degrees -- a perfect day! -- but I got cooked on my 1 hour ride.

Before I give up I think my next step is to purchase and install the Honda Air Deflector Set and give it a try. So my question is . . .

Can anyone who purchased their ST without it and then installed it describe the difference in heat on the rider's legs? That's the heart of it. Is it worth it? Will it really make a difference? Benefits? Negatives?
Or am I just wasting my time and $$.

The Mirror Air Deflector Set appears to be a secondary option to go along with the fairing set, but they appear to be up much higher than where my problem with heat is. Any pro or con comments on folks who have installed them as well?

THANKS all.

Dennis
 
I installed a set and while it didn't correct all the heat problem it did help a lot.. and I live in the Phoenix area and ride in temps exceeding 110 on a daily basis.
 
DWJ Honda said:
I live in NJ, today it was 75 degrees -- a perfect day! -- but I got cooked on my 1 hour ride.
Click to expand...

If you're getting "cooked" at 75 degrees, you won't find a solution by modifying the bike. Sounds like time to go bike shopping to me.

75 degrees to me is cool - very pleasant. Our bikes cannot be THAT different. If you can't find gear or riding position (to keep you away from the hot bits) that provides comfort, it's time to move on. You'll never be able to mod the bike THAT much.

Sorry - but it's time to face the facts.
 
Pred8tor said:
If you're getting "cooked" at 75 degrees, you won't find a solution by modifying the bike. Sounds like time to go bike shopping to me.

75 degrees to me is cool - very pleasant. Our bikes cannot be THAT different. If you can't find gear or riding position (to keep you away from the hot bits) that provides comfort, it's time to move on. You'll never be able to mod the bike THAT much.

Sorry - but it's time to face the facts.
Click to expand...

I agree. Sell the bike and get something cooler if 75 is hot to you. When I left on my ride today it was 78 degrees. It was 90 by noon, and 98 by 3 PM. At times I saw 100-102. It was hot today but I still enjoyed a 450+ mile ride. I guess we all are heat-conditioned and have personal tolerance levels for what is warm, what is hot, and what is "cooked". I surmise if one has low heat tolerance the ST is one hot bike. I have the air deflectors but since I have not ridden one without them I have nothing to compare it to. My bike gives off heat in the low pressure area just behind amd below the engine guards and the frame heats up next to the footpegs. I am used to it.

For what is worth - today I wore a Tourmaster Intake mesh jacket over a tee shirt and Joe Rocket mesh pants with Tourmaster Solution boots. Full face Shoei helmet.
 
Hi Dennis, I bought my 06 this winter and I could feel the heat on my shins
right away. Wearing boots puts some thick leather between my legs and the
heat and that definately helps a lot. But honestly, hands down no question
buy the Honda deflectors, and don't bother with the mirror things.
The deflectors are an easy install with sticky tape and a couple of small screws.
They flat work. They put a thick pad between you and the heat, and most importantly they make for more width for the heat to get around to get to you. I live in New Mexico and all summer it is in the 90's and with boots
and the addition of the deflectors, I honestly do not consider the heat to
be a problem. I think you should pay the two hundred dollars for the deflectors and install them, and of course wear good boots. I think
I could even wear my tennis shoes if I go ahead and tape wrap the headers
back to behind my ankles because I get heat in that area. I also took out
my inner cowls and drilled about six holes in each with a on inch hole saw on my drill, this venting did indeed help a lot to force air back to the problem areas. This is too magnificent a bike to give up on this, a mostly solvable
issue.
Norton
 
HEADER HEAT WRAPP. HEADER HEAT WRAP. HEADER HEAT WRAP.

Did I mention I heat wrapped my headers? No cutting of fairings, adding deflectors or engine blankets. Get rid of the header blast furnace heat and
your problem, my friend, is solved.

:04biker: :confused:
 
ST13Fred said:
HEADER HEAT WRAPP. HEADER HEAT WRAP. HEADER HEAT WRAP.

Did I mention I heat wrapped my headers? No cutting of fairings, adding deflectors or engine blankets. Get rid of the header blast furnace heat and
your problem, my friend, is solved.

:04biker: :confused:
Click to expand...
This is defently on my Farkle list to do .

Back to the question:
I had my bike 2 weeks before I took it back to instll the deflectors and two weeks later it has helped a lot in redirecting the heat as its been in the upper 90's to 100 for almost the entire time .I noticed a difference as I left the shop well worth the money.
Though I do agree if riding in 75 degree weather is hot I dont think this will make it bearable for you .

I wear Jeans and a short pair of hiking boots as I'm still shopping for boots for riding so I could tell it moved the heat to the outside of my calves quite a bit
 
I took the deflectors off - hoping to get MORE air. I am sensitive to the heat as well. I found that the deflectors did zero to reduce the heat felt at ankle level. I've got header wrap on the way. I expect a big reduction in heat felt at the ankle level after installation. The ST is a GREAT motorcycle. I would recommend fixing the heat first before buying a new bike. Hang in there!
 
i have the deflector set and while i feel the heat on my lower legs, its nothing compared to the heat in the seat and thigh areas. I have a corbin seat and the only thing i can do is adjust my airhawk seat cushion a bit forward so that I can lean back and spread my legs away from the tank, letting my knees catch some wind.
 
Hey all, I am really grateful for the many responses. They are diverse and passionate!

Okay, so I originally wrote I got "cooked" by the heat of my ST on a 75 degree ride . . . may have been more accurate to say I was uncomfortably warm. Not screaming in pain, not jumping off the bike on fire. I just wasn't as comfortable and having as much fun as I have come to expect from riding world class motorcycles. I was distracted by the heat and it took a lot of the fun out of the ride. Riding my old 650 Nighthawk without any fairing would have been much more fun.

I rode with a pair of Cruiserworks boots and blue jeans and a mesh jacket from 1st Gear.

I am VERY VERY interested in everyone's comments about HEADER WRAPS. Can a dealer do this for you? Is it an expensive job? Does it void the warranty or have any other negative side-effect?

Not giving up just yet,
Dennis
 
DWJ Honda said:
Hey all, I am really grateful for the many responses. They are diverse and passionate!

Okay, so I originally wrote I got "cooked" by the heat of my ST on a 75 degree ride . . . may have been more accurate to say I was uncomfortably warm. Not screaming in pain, not jumping off the bike on fire. I just wasn't as comfortable and having as much fun as I have come to expect from riding world class motorcycles. I was distracted by the heat and it took a lot of the fun out of the ride. Riding my old 650 Nighthawk without any fairing would have been much more fun.

I rode with a pair of Cruiserworks boots and blue jeans and a mesh jacket from 1st Gear.

I am VERY VERY interested in everyone's comments about HEADER WRAPS. Can a dealer do this for you? Is it an expensive job? Does it void the warranty or have any other negative side-effect?

Not giving up just yet,
Dennis
Click to expand...

What part of you is getting cooked?? Is it your feet & shins or thighs or crotch?
 
My ankles and feet are getting cooked, a.ka. uncomfortably warm.

My thighs and family jewels are comfortable. No problem in that region!
 
Hey Dennis..

A couple 2 tree tings...
Try to hook up with some fellow STer's....It would be good to experiment and switch bikes both riders wearing the same gear...

I think a bunch are coming together in South Jersey this weekend..Bill XP is nto far from you in Newburgh NY and if you are so inclined, make it up to CT and let's switch..I have the fairing deflectors on my 05..(Of course there is always CT-Stoc like last year.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom