wormgear
Expert Class
Posts: 339
|
posted June 12, 2008 01:10 PM
Engine Ice
It gets so hot around here in the summertime you could…. Wait, let me clean that up.
It gets really fucking hot around here in the summertime.
Yesterday I replaced the C-14’s coolant with a product called Engine Ice. Today I took her out for about 50 miles at 2 pm and 92F.
The bike actually seemed a lot cooler at highway speeds with less radiant heat from the fairings and I did not feel the need to spread my legs like I usually do in these temps to keep my inner thigh and knee off the surface. I also thought it was pretty impressive that my temp gauge was only showing one bar (above the bar with the C in it) for about 10 miles of the trip.
Once off the highway and onto a street with a 40 mph speed limit and stop lights every block it was pretty much biniz as usual with the gauge at three bars and plenty of radiant heat to add to the already hot enough air all around me. The fan did seem to kick in less often and run for shorter intervals than it used to for what that’s worth. Which for me wasn’t much.
Anyway up until now here in Houston, the summer between noon and 6 pm is the only season I won’t ride due to temperatures. These results are hardly empirical but now I just might be able to handle some more day trips during the Hell hours rather than opting for the cage and a/c.
This stuff’s expensive! Like over $20 for half a gallon so I would not recommend it to anyone who’s less than desperate for a little relief under extreme temps.
____________
GodDamnit there's always such a big temptation to be good, to be good! (Tom Waits)
  
|
brunobp
Parking Attendant
Posts: 18
|
posted June 12, 2008 03:21 PM
I used to have a similar problem with my ZX14 and I heard about a product called cool-aide by Maxima products. That is the actual name btw. It is not an anit-freeze so you cannot use it as such. It is added to your anti-freeze I believe. It did make a difference. For example: Tuesday night here in PA - 98 degrees and never hit the top 2 bars which I would normally hit all the time. I had not heard of the product you mentioned but you go with what works.
I am selling my 14 and switching to a C-14. i was hoping that the C-14 would run cooler, but that would still not deter me from buying it.
|
wormgear
Expert Class
Posts: 339
|
posted June 12, 2008 04:10 PM
I’m not saying the bikes particularly hot. More like I can’t handle the summers round here very well in general. I’m just too cool to handle the heat 
____________
GodDamnit there's always such a big temptation to be good, to be good! (Tom Waits)
|
oncourse
Expert Class
I hate flies!!!
Posts: 467
|
posted June 12, 2008 05:53 PM
Does it say what is in it??
Rob
____________
True intellegence is not measured by your degrees.
04 klr 250 Lots of mods and 70 MPG!!
08 Connie 2 bros. Carbon. Helibars. Flies out, PC3!!!
2003 kx 500 SOLD
2004 KX 500 In service now, whata BEAST!
|
BFDeihl
Parking Attendant
Posts: 13
|
posted June 12, 2008 10:34 PM
I've had good results using Redline's Water Wetter...(effective and inexpensive)
But then again, living in the Pacific Northwest, I seldom see triple digit heat...
|
cls
Expert Class
Posts: 410
|
posted June 17, 2008 08:26 AM
Hot and humid here in Atlanta, for sure. I sold the ZX14 (And my GSXR1000.) to appease the wife/grow up. Dying for another litre bike. I might substitute the C14, if the engine heat is not too bad. Sold my '05 FJR1300 for that. I don't want to do it again. I'm awaiting more feedback.
|
TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
|
posted June 17, 2008 11:03 AM
The engine heat is really not an issue once the bike is broken in and the heat foam is correctly positioned. They had issues where the foam was out of place and blew hot air on your lower legs. But once placed properly and the engine broken in the bike is about average and cooler than many.
____________
Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
|
cls
Expert Class
Posts: 410
|
posted June 17, 2008 11:43 AM
Please don't take this wrong: But, that's what I understand from many. Others say it's just hot. I've done a bit of research. The ST1300 has the same issues. Some said the older ('05 and older.) FJR's didn't have problems. Mine would roast you out of the cockpit! Different bikes, different perceptions, different locations, or a combination? I don't know.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm hoping to get a ride from a local guy's to see what I think. It's only one bike, but at least it's hands-on. We'll see.
|
TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
|
posted June 17, 2008 01:44 PM
The ones that say it is hot will be the ones that have not fixed the foam. OR the bike does not have enough miles on it. Mine cooled down after a few thousand.
____________
Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
|
cls
Expert Class
Posts: 410
|
posted June 17, 2008 01:53 PM
I hope that's the case. If my test ride goes well, it'll be that or a litre bike. Probably the CBR1000RR. I just don't want that much weight and bulk, yet. OTOH, I really don't need another litre bike either. More info. and soul-searching. It's a good problem to have, though.
|
wormgear
Expert Class
Posts: 339
|
posted June 17, 2008 07:08 PM
Ride the C-14 and from about 5 mph and up ask yourself how heavy it feels. To me this thing feels like it looses 100 lbs as soon as it gets rolling. Even more so with good tires on it.
____________
GodDamnit there's always such a big temptation to be good, to be good! (Tom Waits)
|
cls
Expert Class
Posts: 410
|
posted June 18, 2008 11:42 AM
Understood. The engine heat is the real biggee. That, and the mad desire for another litre bike I don't need. It's a burden, I tell you...
|
wormgear
Expert Class
Posts: 339
|
posted June 18, 2008 10:11 PM
Ha! I hear ya. I recently got a SV1000 track bike and realized what I’ve been missing. Kinda have the itch for an inline 4 liter rocket scooter myself. They are a LOT of fun.
____________
GodDamnit there's always such a big temptation to be good, to be good! (Tom Waits)
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC