Originally Posted By: Mik
Originally Posted By: dr2152
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Actually, no...if it is properly designed, the rider gets little or no radiator heat!
How about some examples. All of my water cooled bikes sent heat back at me.
My VTR1000 gives off very little heat (this despite having the compression up to over 12:1, from the stock 9.4:1, which makes for a significantly hotter running mill) courtesy of the rad positioning. It must be said that this design is not the most efficient for cooling at very low speeds, but no issues with excessive heat, even on warm days... so it is possible...
I have to agree with this to a degree. There are some bikes out there, IF properly designed and can direct heat away from the rider, that would have to help.
Another example would be the Harley "Ultra" liquid cooled touring bikes with two radiators out away from the engine in the outside of the engine guard area. Some Harley riders with these bikes claim way less heat, then even older Harley bikes they owned with smaller engines.
The point being, when the radiator fans kick on, the heat is clearly directed to the outside of each side of the bike.
There are also examples of complete disasters like the Kawaski 16 and 1700 liquid cooled touring bikes of the years around 2010, 11, 12 etc. There were so many complaints about heat Kawaski had to design and retro fit customers bikes with heat deflectors to help with the problem but not get rid of it.
I suspect the new Harley touring bikes, both oil and water cooled are going to be better then previous years.
and ...FOLKS, lets also remember people posting in here are from all different climates. Many from cooler northern areas vs the deep south where someone doesnt have an issue but someone else will, just because of climate alone.
Bottom line, big engines = more heat but certain makers handle the issue better. Indian is not doing a very good job at it right now, according to professional magazine reviews. IN every comparison I have read, they comment on the heat from the Indians vs the Harley. Im just mentioning this as we are discussing heat, even with heat, some reviews favored the Indian for other reasons.