riding with the wind to your back

warmpudgy · October 18th, 2012, 02:19 PM

i would imagine this doesnt happen very often

but today we have strong +25 mph west winds and 35mph gusts

well while riding to work, heading east, at about 35 mph
i was nearly over heating!

there was virtually no wind while moving, the poor little radiator fan just couldnt keep up with cooling

i was shutting off the engine at lights and coasting as much as possible to keep the rpms down

has anyone encountered this before? there any clever ways to prevent this?

maybe i should just take a different route to work when the wind gets like that

csmith12 · October 18th, 2012, 02:30 PM

Welcome Michael,

I think you need to ensure you have the proper level of coolant and ensure you purge all air. You should be able to ride in 106 degree temps with no wind without much issue unless you find yourself sitting for long periods of time without moving.

alex.s · October 18th, 2012, 02:34 PM

idling means the water pump is not pumping much. mid range rpm means not too hot, good amount of cooling. high rpm means high heat high cooling.

Alex · October 18th, 2012, 02:44 PM

Ride faster.

NevadaWolf · October 18th, 2012, 03:23 PM

I know exactly what you mean. It isn't "no wind" it's equal wind!

I was cruising along Hwy 50 going 70 when I saw a "cloud" sitting on the ground, it was so odd I pulled over to get a picture ... And was promptly blown off the bike! We'd been going the same speed as the wind and keeping up with the dust cloud. Once back up to speed I was able to stick my hand out with no resistance at all, felt like I was just sitting still.

Weirdest feeling! But never noticed any issues with over heating, sorry can't actually help there.

lgk · October 18th, 2012, 03:27 PM

rode in 100degree temps, stuck in slow moving bridge traffic.

the fan kicked on a bunch of times, but i did not overheat.

check the radiator cooling fins for debris and use some water wetter.
if it happens too much you might have issues with the thermostat, also.

warmpudgy · October 18th, 2012, 04:02 PM

omg, went out side on my break to check the radiator and there was a farking plastic walmart bag covering up about half the fins

i didnt think anything of it cause i checked it yesterday

that should fix it

lgk · October 18th, 2012, 05:04 PM

October 18th, 2012, 02:19 PM	#1
warmpudgy ninjette.org newbie Name: michael Location: nw arkansas Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 kawasaki ninja 250 Posts: 3	riding with the wind to your back i would imagine this doesnt happen very often but today we have strong +25 mph west winds and 35mph gusts well while riding to work, heading east, at about 35 mph i was nearly over heating! there was virtually no wind while moving, the poor little radiator fan just couldnt keep up with cooling i was shutting off the engine at lights and coasting as much as possible to keep the rpms down has anyone encountered this before? there any clever ways to prevent this? maybe i should just take a different route to work when the wind gets like that

October 18th, 2012, 02:30 PM	#2
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Welcome Michael, I think you need to ensure you have the proper level of coolant and ensure you purge all air. You should be able to ride in 106 degree temps with no wind without much issue unless you find yourself sitting for long periods of time without moving. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

October 18th, 2012, 02:34 PM	#3
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	idling means the water pump is not pumping much. mid range rpm means not too hot, good amount of cooling. high rpm means high heat high cooling. __________________________________________________

October 18th, 2012, 02:44 PM	#4
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Ride faster. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

October 18th, 2012, 03:23 PM	#5
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	I know exactly what you mean. It isn't "no wind" it's equal wind! I was cruising along Hwy 50 going 70 when I saw a "cloud" sitting on the ground, it was so odd I pulled over to get a picture ... And was promptly blown off the bike! We'd been going the same speed as the wind and keeping up with the dust cloud. Once back up to speed I was able to stick my hand out with no resistance at all, felt like I was just sitting still. Weirdest feeling! But never noticed any issues with over heating, sorry can't actually help there. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

October 18th, 2012, 03:27 PM	#6
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	rode in 100degree temps, stuck in slow moving bridge traffic. the fan kicked on a bunch of times, but i did not overheat. check the radiator cooling fins for debris and use some water wetter. if it happens too much you might have issues with the thermostat, also. __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

October 18th, 2012, 04:02 PM	#7
warmpudgy ninjette.org newbie Name: michael Location: nw arkansas Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 kawasaki ninja 250 Posts: 3	omg, went out side on my break to check the radiator and there was a farking plastic walmart bag covering up about half the fins i didnt think anything of it cause i checked it yesterday that should fix it

October 18th, 2012, 05:04 PM	#8
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	__________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

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