Hot Weather Riding

[fitzy2824]

Just curious, but if i was to go for a ride in 50 degree C temps (about 120F) how would the XB12's cooling go? bit of a heatwave goin on in southern aus at the moment, maybe its more like can i handle goin for a ride!!

 

[strmvt]

As long as you varied your speeds amd didnt do any long sustained highspeed runs you should be ok make sure the oil is at the right lvl the oil cooler fins arent plugged with anything and you should be good imho

 

[Odin]

It was pretty much 115 here the entire summer and that's when I bought my bike and rode it every day. my only complaint was how hot my legs got from the heat resonating off from the engine. but I got used to it (and didn't hold my legs tight into the sides anymore either)
but i had No problems with the bikes performance

 

[HOVERJOCKI]

Same here in Vegas, summer is stupid here... the only thing that stops me riding is it is just too hot and you can't cool down.
The heat on your right leg seems a bit more intense.
Bike performance is the same but it does like the cooler climate.

 

[ophawk]

yeah the same here in Phoenix. The bike survives fine, I usually use the mid grade gas for the summer here, and just the 87 octane the rest of the time. She pings when it get above 100-105f, which is fairly common in the summer. I usually shed some of my riding gear, just because, everything is drenched by the time you reach the end of a ride.

 

[dave_xb12r]

I think you'll want a ceramic coated header for sure, and maybe a right side scoop.

 

[fitzy2824]

yea it does get a bit hot piloting the bike on days like that. we only get a few weeks of this heat for summer each year, not long and it will be back to 30C (85F) I will give it go today and see how i go! cheers boys

 

[Odin]

Ophawk-you put cheap gas in it most of the time? i'd think that's the cause of your knocking and not the hot weather. I had Zero problems all summer here in the valley with the performance.

Dave-we'll see if the RH scoop that I just added will make any difference this summer!

 

[gbalias]

some testing revealed that the Rside scoop actually increased temps back there. ill see if i can find the write-up.

 

[Stevenc150]

Think I read that too or something similar. If I remember right, which rarely happens, the slower speeds & lack of airflow (like putting from red light to red light) with RH scoop actually hindered cooling because it partially blocked the heat from escaping. But at "riding" speeds with increased airflow, it cooled quite well......that is, again, if I remember right.

 

[bajabomber87]

You'll be fine, if your bike gets stupid hot it shuts off the back cylinder, then you'll know that you need to stop.

Ive only had that happen to me once while riding thru a town (25mph)110* out. I let it sit for 20 mins then got back to riding to keep it cool.

 

[ophawk]

Odin, sorry for the late post, I think you mis-understood me, when I start to get the ping, then I switch up to the higher grades, but you also have to remember that the summer gas is reformulated, and less efficient, ie a higher flash point, less energy in the fuel per giving weight, than the rest of the year. Also realize I don't have a Computer controlling my fuel mixture, just a screw driver, My ride is Carburetored.

 

[LeFox]

use 20w60 oil instead of 20w50.

that will improve your cooling at those temperatures.

note: do not use this oil in normal temperature

 

[Odin]

thanks for the further explanation though i'm sure i understood it in part. my only point is I always use whatevers recommended by the manufacturer (afterall they built it you know) and have never had troubles.
then again, for some reason I always presume when i'm reading posts that everyone has the exact same bike/year as me (not sure why) so yeah all those responses won't always apply.
as long as what you do works for you-go for it.

 

[ophawk]

No offense taken, the bike is nearing 13 years old, ita an early 98, last year for the carb, in the S series. I have rejetted it to match the free flow, air cleaner and exhaust, but I have to be careful as you now, with the emission tests here.
As far as the octane, before I had rejetted it I had to run the highest octane I could find, and it still had some issues. After that, I am able to lower the octane and still have more than enough power, and have no ill affects, just on the extremely hot days here in Phx, they will tend to cause it to ping on hard acceleration, I just back off a bit, and start running the higher grades, until it cools off.
Where about in the Valley are you?
I'm up around T-Bird and Scottsdale Road.

 

[Odin]

that would explain it. as i said, have the habit of just thinking about my bike, and basing the answers from there..

I'm in the SW corner of the valley:
I live around 91/Mcdowell but work 83/Union Hills
It was a great day to be out today (of course I say that practically every day I'm riding) [cool]

 

[ophawk]

Yep it was, both friday and saturday, of course I have to work both days, but after work on Sat I putted around for about an Hour, Scottsdale airpark area. At least I get to take the Bike to work on those days, its a custody thing with my ex and son.
I think we have a Thread Jack. Sorry Guys

 

[ophawk]

I for got to mention that I graduated from Maryvale and still have my Brother and some friends in that area, One of these days We should hook up for a ride, probably after I sell the store, or possibly on a Sunday That I can get away.
Later

 

[Odin]

nobody else appears to be reading here anyway right now
I usually take off on sundays, so that's a great day for a ride. We can figure that out in the upcoming months if you like!