DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted April 20, 2008 12:15 AM
Engine Heat, How bad is it?
Hey everyone. I'm new to the forum and it looks like there's a lot of great people here with tons of useful knowledge!
I'm looking to buy the new C14. It sounds great in almost every way. One criticism that seems to find it's way into every review I've read is complaints of excessive engine heat. I realize that some of these people are the ones wearing shorts and tennis shoes, which is not how I dress to ride my VTX1800. I also realize that any full fairing bike will certainly get warm especially when it get's closer to 85 or 90 degrees which is very common here in the Savannah GA area.
I just wanted to know from folks like you that actually own the C14, how bad it really is. I'd also like to know where you live to get an idea of your typical weather.
If this has been addressed in another thread already, I apologize. I did search the forum first, but didn't come across it. If that's the case, a link would be great.
Thanks friends!
Drew
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
  
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wormgear
Expert Class
Posts: 339
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posted April 20, 2008 05:02 AM
Have a look here,
http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=42&TID=33244&set_time=
I live in Houston and I rode mine all the time in Aug and Sept. It gets pretty hot at temps over 85 but I've no experience with other big full fared bikes to compare it to. It was not an issue for me when I opened my legs a little getting my knees and thighs off the surface. I considered some little foam spacers between the inside of my knee and the bike then it cooled off. I may consider that again soon.
I never had the hot ankle problem.
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GodDamnit there's always such a big temptation to be good, to be good! (Tom Waits)
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DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted April 20, 2008 09:44 AM
Thanks wormgear! I know Houston must be a scortcher in the summer. Probably very much like here in Savannah. Well the bike shops open back up on Tuesday. I may be saddled up on a 14 before too long.
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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wormgear
Expert Class
Posts: 339
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posted April 20, 2008 09:57 AM
It's a great bike, You'll love it! Read up on pulling the flies and release the beast!
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GodDamnit there's always such a big temptation to be good, to be good! (Tom Waits)
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DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted April 20, 2008 11:13 AM
Yeah, I saw a lot of you talking about that. What exactly are these "flies" that you speak of? I'm an aircraft mechanic/inspector by trade, but haven't dove into bike innerds much.
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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Wildman
Expert Class
I only look confused
Posts: 318
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posted April 21, 2008 06:39 PM
Secondary butterflies in the throttle bodies. Sort of like the concept of cv carburetors done in fuel injection.
Love my C14....
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If you build something Idiot Proof, The world will build a better Idiot.
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wormgear
Expert Class
Posts: 339
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posted April 21, 2008 10:31 PM
1 get a PCIII from fuel moto and install it with the proper map
2 Pull the flies
3 Get a LOT more low end torque.
Read all about it.....
http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=42&TID=34311&set_time=
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GodDamnit there's always such a big temptation to be good, to be good! (Tom Waits)
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DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted April 21, 2008 10:35 PM
I'll keep it in mind if I decide to make the "plunge" and buy one. Thanks!
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted April 22, 2008 09:09 PM
So much for restraint. I went shopping today and got me a brand new C-14! I got a screaming good deal as well from a small Kawasaki shop. Those big powersports stores just didn't want to deal.
Anyways, WOW! That thing runs like a lawyer after an ambulance and it puts the OOOO in smOOOOOOOth. So much for getting vibrated to death above 65 on the v-twin. I feel nothing in the bars below 7K rpm.
My feet did get hot on both sides. It was about 70 degrees or so today and I was wearing jeans and a pair of heavy lace up boots kinda like the police special forces wear. No doubt it does put out some heat. By no means is it unbearable. There is also heat on the right inner thigh, but not terrible. This is an enormous powerplant! I don't think the heat is at all disproportionate to the neverending supply of nuclear reaction type power it produces.
I'll do some looking at the hot ankle thread and check out the items on there, but overall I'm happier than a pig in shit! Speed power comfort style and killer brakes. NICE...
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted April 22, 2008 10:55 PM
Drew, I can tell you for sure that first when the bike gets broken in the thing runs much cooler. Also when you make sure the foam is properly sealed your feet feel no excess heat.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted April 23, 2008 04:21 AM
That's good news. Good thing it's still spring-ish weather here in savannah.
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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