Overheating?

[AndyRR]

Twice now I've been in some stop and go traffic on relatively cool (around 80F) days and noticed symptoms of overheating. I understand that this is an oil cooled bike, so this can be an issue. I've never had this happen on my other oil cooled bike. Just trying to see if what I'm noticing is normal. I didn't don't notice anything until I stalled it the first time. Adding insult to injury, it doesn't fire up as quickly as usual when this happens. After that, I use more clutch than normal to prevent another stall. It will also ping for half a second or so after 1st is fully engaged.
Using Amsoil 20w50 and nothing but premium fuel.
Is this something I should be concerned about?

[Lion_Lady]

Using Amsoil 20w50 and nothing but premium fuel.Is this something I should be concerned about?

Even the Rockster doesn't require premium octane. 89 octane is what is recommended.

I'm using Amsoil as well and haven't noticed any sypmtoms like you describe. Even stuck in stop and go traffic outside Atlanta in July. (With a pillion.)

P

[challey]

Twice now I've been in some stop and go traffic on relatively cool (around 80F) days and noticed symptoms of overheating.

What kind of symptoms are you talking about: Cherry red pipes and the smell of burining oil? Those really would be symptoms of overheating but I suspect that's not what you had in mind. These bikes should be able to take some slow running in 80F temperatures without ill effects, especially with synthetic in the crankcase.

As far as starting goes, I've noticed that my bike becomes harder to start in the spring - right about the time the refineries switch to their summer gasoline formulation. Not really something related to the engine operating temperature though.

BTW, I agree with Lion Lady that premium fuel is unecessary and just wastes $'s. Mid-grade should be fine.

Charlie

[boxermania]

AndyRR

80 F days will not get your bike hot, unless you sit in trafic for more than 5 minutes. Unfortunately our bikes are air cooled and they need the air flow. In bumper to bumper traffic (dense traffic) we normaly shut down the bike and duck walk it.

Or pull of fand take a break, letting the bike cooldown. When the bike begins to get hot it will become slugish in all functions, including getting moving and starting up.

If you are concerned with temperature consider a temperature gauge a la Cyclerob, check his posts for the information.

BTW, operating oil temperature should be between 180 F and 220 F, oil break down begins at 240F (engine life will be compromised by added wear) these are guidelines applicable to motor vehicles.

[AndyRR]

I'm getting a hot smell, but not burning oil. Not sure if the pipes are red, it's too bright to tell.
Riding on the highway today, I'm beginning to suspect that I'm also getting some pinging when accelerating at highway speeds. It's hard to tell because wind noise masks it, but I'm definitely getting some kind of noise during lower rpm acceleration.
If I can stop riding long enough, I'll have to check the timing. That's the only thing I can figure.
I'm sure the bike would be fine on lower octane petrol, but I would have been putting 93 in after hearing this problem, just to make sure it isn't fuel related. Plugs are new and the old ones looked fine.

[duke]

Today (courtesy of Underground/Tube/Metro strike) the roads were abysmal. Filtering and moving was very slow.

So at some point I got my oil pressure light blinking when the engine was at idle RPM. If I revved the throttle to 2k RPM - it disappeared.

Luckily I was less than 1 mile away from the office - so I managed to hobble along.

2 hours later I fired up the engine (satisfied beforehand that there is enough oil). Nothing, nada, zip - no oil alarm light.

Was I overheated?

[Beemeridian]

887

[AndyRR]

I advanced the timing this morning from 1 to 2 deg, but didn't notice much change. I think Beemeridian may be right about the carbon build up. It has about 2k miles on the plugs and air filter. I pulled the plugs to do the timing adjustment, and they looked fine, but I'm starting to run out of ideas.
Duke - from what I understand, yes you were. Cyclerob said something to the effect of BAD - VERY BAD! I think that means time to pull over and cool off.

[Arbee]

Hold your horses

Firstly 80 deg F is 26.7 deg C
I do not regard that as cool more like warm and on a bike very warm.

Secondly whilst oil does provide a mechanism for evaporating some heat
bikes are not oil cooled, oil provides lubrication, they are liquid cooled
usually ethylene glycol & water mix or air cooled, the last time i looked
my BMW was air cooled... enough said...

That means it relies on positive airflow ninety percent 90% of the time
to remain efficient...

Hope this helps

[yen_kofu]

My R1150R(2003)bike happen ONCE in this summer(normally 35℃、third gear、3000RPM、milage~92？？kM) than have to start bike after 15 minute cooling, otherwise can’t start the bike

In Taiwan forum post(2005 sept.), two bikes(R1150R & RT) burn the circuit system on idle~very costly
One guy put the bike(R1150R、milage~700kM) to charge battery

Thanks

[Lobo1625]

I can't see how 80 would cause so many problems. I've normally commuted home on 95-100 degree days in stop and go traffic. The temp on the road easily exceeds 115 and with all the car exhaust it gets warm.

HOWEVER I've never noticed the bike stalling (unless i was in 2nd gear accidentally) I have pulled off to the shoulder a few times to get some fresh air over the engine and oil coolers though.

The best advice i would have to say would be to just pull over and stop, or turn it off and walk/roll. No sense abusing the bike letting it sit and idle in traffic.

Also the 'low rpm pinging' that was mentioned, what RPM/Gear was that? My bike personally doesn't like to accelerate below 2k in any gear. 3k and up for me.

[AndyRR]

The pinging is primarily in first gear, just as I have left off the clutch. Yes, the bike was getting hot, but I was going through normal city traffic. Traffic lights close together (and always RED ) with little room between to air it out. I'm hoping that there is a problem. I don't want this to be normal. I have an air cooled 1981 Jap bike that does better.
Put half a bottle of Seafoam in the last tank. I'll finish the bottle after another tank or two.

Lobo - when you say your bike doesn't like it - you mean it pings?

[Lobo1625]

Lobo - when you say your bike doesn't like it - you mean it pings?

Yeah, it pings, lots of valve noise and vibrates alot. Easily solved by shifting to a lower gear.