It's getting hot in here so take off all your clothes

[Illini]

Like a good little boy I did a search on the topic of the boxer engine overheating and found it will if you leave it sit and idle. Does anyone remember the middle of July last year across the midwest (Colorado,Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois)

when temps hit 105 degrees? I happened to be returning from a trip and was caught in that heat wave with a watercooled bike that got pretty hot. And riding faster (more airflow ???) didn't help. My question is this: anyone have their boxer engine overheat on them while moving at a good clip because it was too damn hot to be out riding? (I used to say it's never too hot to ride ) You folks from Arizona where it really gets hot (yeah but it's a dry heat ) chime in

[Vincent]

As long as you are not sitting at idle long, over heat in higher tempuratures should not be a problem. I've gone through the desert several times with temps nearing 100, no overheat problems at all. My R1100RT stayed at 5 bars (temp), and sometimes 6 bars at high speed. (5 bars is normal for 1100RT's, even in the winter!)

[GelStra]

This summer I rode in to work (25 miles) a few times in +100, plus a few rides for fun. No problem with the bike. The rider, however, would have DIED without the Cool Vest.

[Whip]

2 up 600 miles....over 100 all day...no problem(with the bike)......August 2005....San Antonio to Dalhart TX.....On to the Rockies and Banff.....

 

Larry and Louise

[ProductUser]

I'm from Phoenix, so let me add this: it will not overheat. I typically ride (commute) in 110 degree heat during the summer. I've also sat in freeway traffic, idling for several minutes at times, when the temps are well into the triple digits with no side effects at all.

 

Before I switched to synthetic oil, I sat in traffic (US 60) for a very long time in 100+ degree heat. I was sure the dino oil was toast. I was so sure that I did an oil change as soon as I got home. And much to my surprise, the dino oil looked and smelled fine (burt oil has a distinct smell).

 

I now run synthetic oil just for a bit of added security. In the end, you will overheat before your boxer.

 

Oh -- I forgot to add one thing: I ride a R1150R -- so I don't have all of the tupperware and I don't have an oil temp guage

 

Tony

[BruceWA]

had the "pleasure" of taking a two week trip through the Rockies last July. We saw triple digits every day and my RT was "warmer" than usual, but never a problem. The wife's R12C also was trouble free. It was 108 in Hotchkiss, CO on lovely day Don't miss the heat from my old K11RS when it that hot

[BrianT]

I've ridden my previous R1100RT 2up in 118F without problem, as long as I kept moving. I've done many 100+ days through the desert 2 up and never had a problem with it. The temp gauge would run a bar or two higher than normal, but definitly not in the red zone.

 

Surprizingly the RT handled the heat better than my water cooled K1200GT. In those same conditions the temp gauge on the K bike would stay right under red while moving and go into the red when stopping momentarily. The heat from the motor literaly cooked my left calf through my 'stich leaving a red sunburn looking mark. And yes both fans were working and the coolant was full.

 

Also, during a construction convoy in 100 degree weather where we could only ride at 20 mph while escorted, I found that the K1200GT had an overheat light that activates when you get well into the red zone. Two other K1200RS riders from this board were with me on that convoy and had their lights activate as well.

 

Moral to the story I think is that the K bikes are water cooled because they have to, not because they want to.

[AZBaldur]

I'm from Phoenix, so let me add this: it will not overheat. I typically ride (commute) in 110 degree heat during the summer. I've also sat in freeway traffic, idling for several minutes at times, when the temps are well into the triple digits with no side effects at all.

 

Before I switched to synthetic oil, I sat in traffic (US 60) for a very long time in 100+ degree heat. I was sure the dino oil was toast. I was so sure that I did an oil change as soon as I got home. And much to my surprise, the dino oil looked and smelled fine (burt oil has a distinct smell).

 

I now run synthetic oil just for a bit of added security. In the end, you will overheat before your boxer.

 

Oh -- I forgot to add one thing: I ride a R1150R -- so I don't have all of the tupperware and I don't have an oil temp guage

 

Tony

Ditto on pretty much all of the above, except I'm still running dino. Tony, which synthetic do you use and where do you get it?

[ProductUser]

AZBaldur --

 

I run Mobil 1 synthetic 15/50. I buy this at Wal-Mart.

 

Tony

[dmenace]

Rode my 12RT last summer in 110 to 115 degree weather. Had to stop at lights occasionally......no issues with the bike. I did pour water onto my clothing under my gear which helped me personally for a short period of time. 110 to 115 is too friggin hot....but not for riding.