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Old July 10th, 2012, 07:18 PM   #1
greenaero
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How hot does your bike run in hot weather

Now that the weather is warming up I was wondering how hot most pre-gen ninjettes run in hot weather. During the cooler months my bike has always run in the lower third to quarter of the operating range on the temp. gauge.
Since fully enclosing the front end of my bike it has begun running hotter, on hot days (~100*F.) getting almost to the upper limit of the temp. gauge operating range. I have opened up the air intake in front of my fairing but its still running in the upper third of the gauge range. I don't want to increase the internal airflow more than it is needed for adequate cooling so I was wondering what other ninjettes typically run at in the summer time.
thank you, GA
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Old July 10th, 2012, 07:33 PM   #2
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my experience has been different since i got the thermobob.
it has been consistently running at 190-200, according to my datalogs.
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Old July 10th, 2012, 07:46 PM   #3
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During the summer, my bike runs with the temp needle at about the 11:00 or 11:30 position, which is a little under 100 degrees C, according to procal. At long stoplights, it tends to edge up to 12:00 and push a little over 100 degrees C. During the winter, it's way lower, so I cover 1/3-1/2 of the radiator with cardboard, depending on how cold it is outside. Works like a charm to get that temp needle to about 10:30 or 11:00. The bike always seems to be more responsive to the throttle when it stays up at temp. Nothing like a rich bike that gets put out in the cold. Power!

A thermobob would be nice in the winter to get it to temp quickly and keep it there. hmmmmm winter project maybe.
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Old July 10th, 2012, 07:56 PM   #4
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During the summer, my bike runs with the temp needle at about the 11:00 or 11:30 position, which is a little under 100 degrees C, according to procal. At long stoplights, it tends to edge up to 12:00 and push a little over 100 degrees C. During the winter, it's way lower, so I cover 1/3-1/2 of the radiator with cardboard, depending on how cold it is outside. Works like a charm to get that temp needle to about 10:30 or 11:00. The bike always seems to be more responsive to the throttle when it stays up at temp. Nothing like a rich bike that gets put out in the cold. Power!

A thermobob would be nice in the winter to get it to temp quickly and keep it there. hmmmmm winter project maybe.
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i installed it long after the cold weather was gone, but i'm sure it will work well.
before i installed it, my temp stickers never got above 150f.
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Old July 10th, 2012, 08:46 PM   #5
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I live in Texas, and last summer it was 105+ for the whole summer. The lil Ninja ran strong. I can count on one hand the amout of times the fan would come on.

The pre gen are tanks. The best starter bike in the world.
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Old July 10th, 2012, 08:50 PM   #6
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mine runs like a champ in hot weather
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Old July 10th, 2012, 09:04 PM   #7
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Thanks for all your replies, It looks like I need to greatly increase the airflow through the radiator as I have a 2500 mile road trip from here in the SF Bay Area to the MidOhio Racetrack for a fuel economy competition. The trip there will be through lots of desert in CA, NV, UTand WY and the rest of the way doesn't look to be a lot cooler.
I'll change my coolant but I don't think that will make much difference. I'll probably just open up the area covering my headlight and then reinstall it for the fuel economy run.
Many thanks, GA
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Old July 10th, 2012, 10:42 PM   #8
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My bike runs with the temperature needle at about the 11:00 position on the highway, but at long stop light it climbs almost to the 13:00 position - about 2mm away from the white line.
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Old July 11th, 2012, 02:57 AM   #9
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Greenaero, what exactly does a fuel economy competition look like? If you're at mid Ohio the ninjette and I might consider saying hi if we can. I'm getting some 15/45 sprockets, so highway travel might actually be doable for me haha depends how my lung is doing if I feel comfortable going that far. When is your competition?
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Old July 11th, 2012, 03:25 AM   #10
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My gauge goes from one end to the other with my riding all the time. I've only heard the fan get turned on once though and it was after I had parked it.
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Old July 11th, 2012, 03:21 PM   #11
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170f
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Old July 11th, 2012, 03:25 PM   #12
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My gauge goes from one end to the other with my riding all the time. I've only heard the fan get turned on once though and it was after I had parked it.
Mine did that once too, and Mine feels like GREAT BALLS OF FIRE in the summer time
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Old July 11th, 2012, 03:28 PM   #13
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Get on a 600 and you will understand hot, its not even funny. My 250 felt like an ice box compared to bigger bikes. My gauge will hit 216f if I'm sitting at a light too long
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Old July 11th, 2012, 03:29 PM   #14
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Get on a 600 and you will understand hot, its not even funny. My 250 felt like an ice box compared to bigger bikes. My gauge will hit 216f if I'm sitting at a light too long
still????
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Old July 11th, 2012, 03:30 PM   #15
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still????
no lol But I havent been in traffic for super long, 175 was the hottest I have seen. Its running retardedly cool
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Old July 11th, 2012, 03:32 PM   #16
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no lol But I havent been in traffic for super long, 175 was the hottest I have seen. Its running retardedly cool
it was running retardedly hot before. it should never get above boiling in a normal system.
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Old July 11th, 2012, 03:33 PM   #17
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it was running retardedly hot before. it should never get above boiling in a normal system.
216 is sadly normal for these bike, fan doesnt even kick in till 214, over heating is 224+ and the bike will shut its self off
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Old July 11th, 2012, 03:35 PM   #18
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yeah... but... it shouldnt overheat normally. the fan shouldn't need to kick on. i think most engines are designed to run arouund 170-180
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Old July 11th, 2012, 03:40 PM   #19
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yeah... but... it shouldnt overheat normally. the fan shouldn't need to kick on. i think most engines are designed to run arouund 170-180
Agreed, but the 636 is notorious for heating up
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Old July 11th, 2012, 04:00 PM   #20
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Is there anyhting we can do to keep the bike running cooler? A specific kind of antifreeze or antifreeze water mix?
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Old July 11th, 2012, 04:09 PM   #21
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Is there anyhting we can do to keep the bike running cooler? A specific kind of antifreeze or antifreeze water mix?
people seem to like the engine ice.

i have not had a chance to try it yet.
i'm waiting for my next service interval.
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Old July 11th, 2012, 04:11 PM   #22
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Engine ice is ok, but I wont ever put it in my bike again. Water wetter all the way! Ive had great results with it, even racing in 105+ degree weather it keeps my bike cool

But it freezes, so for everyone that isnt in California will have to change there coolant as it gets colder
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Old July 11th, 2012, 04:16 PM   #23
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Old July 11th, 2012, 04:17 PM   #24
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Engine ice is ok, but I wont ever put it in my bike again. Water wetter all the way! Ive had great results with it, even racing in 105+ degree weather it keeps my bike cool

But it freezes, so for everyone that isnt in California will have to change there coolant as it gets colder
what made you quit using it?
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Old July 11th, 2012, 04:23 PM   #25
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Engine ice? The **** is so expensive! And I saw NO gain with it, and you cant mix water into it (unless im remembering wrong)


I run straight distilled water half of the time, thats whats in there now
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Old July 11th, 2012, 04:53 PM   #26
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Engine ice? The **** is so expensive! And I saw NO gain with it, and you cant mix water into it (unless im remembering wrong)


I run straight distilled water half of the time, thats whats in there now
imo, they are both expensive...

ill most likely stick with the standard coolant, until i start doing track days.
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Old July 11th, 2012, 04:54 PM   #27
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imo, they are both expensive...

ill most likely stick with the standard coolant, until i start doing track days.
get the non pre-mixed water wetter, $9, will last you the life of your bike. Ive changed mine out 5 or 6 times now and have over half a bottle left
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Old July 11th, 2012, 05:03 PM   #28
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get the non pre-mixed water wetter, $9, will last you the life of your bike. Ive changed mine out 5 or 6 times now and have over half a bottle left
why is the pre mix so expensive?
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Old July 11th, 2012, 05:06 PM   #29
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why is the pre mix so expensive?
Its for lazy people lol
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Old July 11th, 2012, 05:08 PM   #30
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Its for lazy people lol
well i'm more cheap than lazy so ill just get the $9 bottle.
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Old July 11th, 2012, 05:09 PM   #31
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well i'm more cheap than lazy so ill just get the $9 bottle.
same lol So instead of 15-$20 a coolant change with the premix its like $.5 a change with the concentrate
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Old July 11th, 2012, 08:17 PM   #32
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Eh, I use engine ice cuz I have to worry about the engine freezing in winter. I don't notice any difference between it and the normal green coolant except color.
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Old July 12th, 2012, 10:21 PM   #33
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Chris, The Vetter Challenge will be on the morning of July 20 at the Mid-Ohio Racetrack. It will be part of the AMA Vintage Days group ride. If you think you'll make it, let me know. I should be in Ohio by 7/18 or 7/19.
all the best GA
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Old July 13th, 2012, 04:34 AM   #34
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Old July 30th, 2012, 04:54 PM   #35
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What is the % of mix of coolant to water in a bike?
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Old July 30th, 2012, 04:59 PM   #36
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mine runs like a champ in hot weather
+1

Though the underside of my thighs feel like they're getting steamed after a while, lol
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Old July 30th, 2012, 04:59 PM   #37
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50/50
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Old July 30th, 2012, 05:05 PM   #38
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50/50
Thanks man!
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