ENGINE HEAT

[dogman]

The only thing I dont like about the F800GS is the engine heat directed onto my knees and the inside of my legs. Nice in the winter if I rode it then, but on days when the temp is anything over 21c, it gets effing hot and uncomfortable to the point of seriously impairing my enjoyment of riding. I can only think that it's the fairing design which points this hot air from the rad right onto your legs, as this never happened on my F800R - which is essentially the same bike. No other bike I have owned over 30 years has caused this issue either. I know these lean burn Rotax engines run hot and I have read about the Power Commander reducing the temp a bit when fitted. It could be my long legs are positioned slightly more forward than average height riders? Am I alone with finding this a problem?

 

[solidstate100]

Ive not noticed it being any worse than any other bike I have owned- altho I found that certain type's of clothing affect it - black leather trousers for example act as a heatsink etc. I tend to wear a BMW rallye pro 3 suit and trousers and this seems to be somewhat reflective which helps.....also when the fan kicks in you notice the heat more, is yours permanently running?

I did notice tho that my GS 1200 (and other boxer engined bikes) made my feet painfully hot on the hottest days so I bought a pair of BMW's sport boots which were excellent as well ventilated...

 

[v8legend]

Am I alone with finding this a problem?

I've never noticed it. I'm fairly sure with these bikes being 3 years old now that this would have come up before if it was a problem.

 

[ILMV]

This has been discussed before with varying levels of agreement.

On a hot day I notice increased temperatures around my lower legs when travelling any slower then running pace. It does get uncomfortable but doesn't happen often for me (I've got lanky legs too) so it's not so much of an issue for me.

The Afghan Heros ride through Wootton Bassett was the worst ride I ever did with regard to heat, loads of bikes, travelling close together, going slowly, on a very hot day...

I wonder if these wind deflectors will create a bit of low pressure near your knees and drag that hot air out a bit quicker?

 

[dogman]

There is a thread on ADV Rider re the deflectors with riders suffering the same heat issues, but these are more designed for wet and cold. I was thinking of fashioning something similar to the inside edge of that fairing gap to take the heat away from the legs, but the deflectors might also help with increasing the air flow around the knees. Re the fan, thinking about it, it does seem to come and go from hot to bl**dy hot which must be the fan coming on and off.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=546819

 

[colint]

I have the deflectors on mine, I have just got back from Istanbul where the air temperature was in the 30's at one point 39 degrees in the slow traffic around Istanbul but I never felt the heat from the engine even though the fan was on, so whether this is the deflectors I can't say as I have never ridden the 800 in these temperatures without the deflectors, I was wearing a Savanna suit with the vents open, being extra FB size I do notice the heat usually.
One of the guys I was riding with had an Africa Twin and he did feel the engine heat from the fan.