The heat is killin me

[Jess Tolbirt]

what do you guys do about theat that comes up between your legs on these bikes? I have the bakers but sheech the heat is just more than i can take... thinking about a different bike at the moment,,

[solo1]

I have the Bakers upper and lowers on my Valk and I don't seem to have a big problem with heat with the lowers adjusted for max air.  Mine is a standard with a Clearview windshield.

[FLAVALK]

I've had several bikes and they all get hot...especially when it's 90+ degrees outside.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

what do you guys do about theat that comes up between your legs on these bikes? I have the bakers but sheech the heat is just more than i can take... thinking about a different bike at the moment,,

The heat controller is located on the right side bar end, twist it "rearwards" for cooler air.

Raymond

[rmrc51]

I know you don't wanna hear my solution.

I just don't ride in the hot weather, 'period'!!!! I "HATE" the heat. My riding is mainly done in the fall, spring and some of the warmer winter days. Never in the hot summer! But then again,,, that's me.

[Daniel Meyer]

The heat controller is located on the right side bar end, twist it "rearwards" for cooler air.

+10 

[Robert]

This really should have been on the technical board, I haven't had a problem here in S Fla in the summer with the heat out of the bike. The sun yes the heat from the bike no. But I have made a few changes, a cooler thermostat, water wetter, and recently the addition of Baker Air wings. The thermometer I just put on the bike showed a temp of 110 while riding and that is accurate lately here.  The heat off the super slab felt like a hair drier but the heat off the bike was minimal in fact I agree that with the addition of the wings and not even set to wide open just a little beyond straight provided me with a ride that the heat from the road was the only heat I felt. I dont mind the heat its the sun beating down on you that is hard to deal with. This aint no Harley that will bake your legs and the motorcycle cops had to put fans on them in summer to help.

[Demo]

Love my bike but it is a hot one (std with hondaline windshield, baker airwings, and lower fork deflectors).  Only way I can ride anyplace other than the highway in the summer is to remove lowers on the front forks.  Next step to help is the windshield, next step is to park it.

[Lyn-Del]

what do you guys do about theat that comes up between your legs on these bikes? I have the bakers but sheech the heat is just more than i can take... thinking about a different bike at the moment,,

I can't think of any of the bikes that aren't as hot as the Valk in summer time.  I can't even ride the Rocket in the heat, I get 2nd degree burns from it (without touching the pipes!).  The V-twins radiate more heat, closer to my legs than the Valks do.  Even the Gold Wing is as hot or hotter, so it too stays home while I roam the country on my I/S in the summer time.

[Oss]

on my interstate I took off the fixed piece of the bakers and only use the moveable wing part, set to straight back I get lots of air.

Also I have one of those vests that you soak in water that keeps me pretty comfortable on long rides when the temps are 90/90humdidity

[cutter]

What Raymond said........ 

[RP#62]

I've found that above 108° you're cooler standing still than you are when you're moving.
-RP

[Blackduck KS]

ICE IN LAP WORKS FOR ME 

[Black Pearl's Captain]

I'm calling BS on the picture, it must be photohshopped. No way anyone has four balls on their head.  

I don't mind temps at 100, I did 100 miles last night in 95 degrees, that was half what Motomama did as she rode all the way home from my house, I only escorted her 50 miles and turned around.

I also had a fresh Motomama made Strawberry pie waiting for me in the freezer. The ride home to the pie went real fast (I didn't think she would ever wave my off byebye so I could roll piebound).
 
Raymond

[Willow]

Some folks are just a bit older, a bit more sensitive or not really ready to be out in the elements.  I'm just not there yet, but I'm sure I will be someday.  My advice would be turn off the air conditioner and get out in it more.  You'll find it won't really kill you.  When it hurts a little, smile and know that it means you're still alive.

I'm only 58 and I really am not looking forward the days when I start whining about the heat and the cold and how bad my butt feels after I ride for more than 300 miles in a day.

Incidentally, I don't notice the engine heat so much on my Standard.  I really didn't know what folks were talking about until I rode an Interstate for a while.

Just so no one gets his feelings hurt, my comments weren't referencing anyone in particular.  I personally think most of the American population and a large percentage of even the motorcycle riding public are a bit on the wimpy side.

 

[Dogg]

the reason I have never owned a bike with a  windshield...I like the air. all those addons rob ya of free air. 

On eally hot days, I stay more local than normal. usually, going 300-400miles on a ride is great but always within a few hours of home, but on the hot days, I stay a lil closer than that and try to refresh myself a little bit more than normal so, I do the "hop" thing til the sun goes down:D

[Michael K (Az.)]

Some folks are just a bit older, a bit more sensitive or not really ready to be out in the elements.  I'm just not there yet, but I'm sure I will be someday.  My advice would be turn off the air conditioner and get out in it more.  You'll find it won't really kill you.  When it hurts a little, smile and know that it means you're still alive.

I'm only 58 and I really am not looking forward the days when I start whining about the heat and the cold and how bad my butt feels after I ride for more than 300 miles in a day.

Incidentally, I don't notice the engine heat so much on my Standard.  I really didn't know what folks were talking about until I rode an Interstate for a while.

Just so no one gets his feelings hurt, my comments weren't referencing anyone in particular.  I personally think most of the American population and a large percentage of even the motorcycle riding public are a bit on the wimpy side.

 

Willow, I like your sig line about excessive comfort and since I first read it I've been trying to achieve the comfort level of which you speak. So far, excessive comfort has eluded me but I'll have you know, I continue on my slothful search!
Now the ridin part:
I just bought a Go Pro camera, found a place to mount it and am headin out for a test ride here in the toasty desert. I'll let everybody know how this little bugger works out!

[Black Dog]

Well, like we say in Wisconsin...  Don't like the weather?  Wait a bit, it will change 

Here is my driveway, just over 5 months ago!



Today, we're gonna be close to 95, in my neck of the woods.  Heck, it's already 85, at 10:30 in the morning (MUGGY too!).

Hey Dogg...  Pulled my windshield/Hoppe fairing off on Saturday...  Whole different experience puttin' on some miles without the protection...  Just about ate a huge Dragon Fly    Smacked me in the left cheek, and about filled my ear, with bug gutts!

Stay Cool Everyone 

Black Dog

[Willow]

Willow, I like your sig line about excessive comfort and since I first read it I've been trying to achieve the comfort level of which you speak. So far, excessive comfort has eluded me but I'll have you know, I continue on my slothful search!

Yeah, I do know.  That whole "excessive" thing is so subjective, isn't it?  One man's excess is another man's norm.

My whole beef is with finding myself depending upon something that's not really a necessity.  You know, such as, "I can't function in the morning until I've had my first cup of coffee," or "I can't go to InZane because I only ride two hundred miles a day and it would take me a week," or ... Well, I'm sure you get the idea.

[Willow]

I don't mind temps at 100, I did 100 miles last night in 95 degrees, that was half what Motomama did as she rode all the way home from my house, I only escorted her 50 miles and turned around.

Just for the record, Raymond, she only rode 160 miles yesterday.  It's only when I'm leading that it takes us 200 miles to get there.   

[Spirited-6]

There is no "HOT" like riding a V65 Magna. I could feel my inter legs cooking at stop lights. My Valk.Tourer is no way that hot, now I`m not saying it is COOL. 

[Al in AK]

    
 We are looking forward to some heat.  

Inzane bound in 17 day's.

I like what Willow had to say.  


Check out this temp. !!!!!!!

[Michael K (Az.)]

Willow, I like your sig line about excessive comfort and since I first read it I've been trying to achieve the comfort level of which you speak. So far, excessive comfort has eluded me but I'll have you know, I continue on my slothful search!

Yeah, I do know.  That whole "excessive" thing is so subjective, isn't it?  One man's excess is another man's norm.

My whole beef is with finding myself depending upon something that's not really a necessity.  You know, such as, "I can't function in the morning until I've had my first cup of coffee," or "I can't go to InZane because I only ride two hundred miles a day and it would take me a week," or ... Well, I'm sure you get the idea.

Yep!

[Cruzen]

I live in Arizona.  I am a transplant from Chicago.  Chicago had temps of 100 with a humidity factor of 90%.  Arizona has temps of 120 with a humidity factor of less than 10%.  It’s much easier to ride in Arizona’s 100+ degree temps than in Chicago’s high temps and high humidity.  Maybe it's not the heat that's bothering you but the humidity.  If you have a windshield on your bike take it off for the summer.  This will improve airflow over your body.  You may also consider periodically dousing yourself with water, especially you jeans.  Yes get wet, the moving air will cool you almost to a chill. 

Switching bikes may not help unless you significantly downsize.  A 600CC engine such as the Honda Shadow will put out about half the heat of your Valk.  I ride 364 days a year.  I take my Valk Interstate on the long road trips but ride a Magna, 750CC, V4 around town and on short trips especially in our 100+ degree Arizona heat.  One of the reasons is because it produces less heat than the Valk and does not have a windshield.  A side benefit is it is easier to handle so I am not working up a sweat trying to muscle the big bike in the high temps and it is a bit faster than the Valk.

The Valks have big engines which produce a lot of heat and you are sitting on top of it and heat rises.  Like they say, if ya can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen.  In this case move to Arizona where it’s a dry heat.

[Dogg]

Hey Dogg...  Pulled my windshield/Hoppe fairing off on Saturday...  Whole different experience puttin' on some miles without the protection...  Just about ate a huge Dragon Fly  tickedoff  Smacked me in the left cheek, and about filled my ear, with bug gutts!

Stay Cool Everyone  cooldude


carry salt. protien and a salt shaker make the bugs tolerable;)

Ive only experieinced a bike with a windshield 2 times. 1st on a gold wing. I could smoke a ciggy with no glasses behind that tall windshield. was real nice cuz it was like 79F that day. the 2nd was on an ultra classic. the batwing was ok, nothing compared to the wing but, still made a difference. in ocean city, at night the rear cylinder was shutting down from heat. I was cookin....decided that I will Only have a windshield if I am going to go anymore than 300 miles. I enjoy the wind on me, and mad6gun has a back rest with no windshield. might have to try it to take the pressure of my back:D
 

[BF]

It's a car engine strapped between your legs.  It's gonna get toasty.  

However, in this hellish pressure cooker type heat we've been having lately, I've turned the Baker's out so that they're kinda like big air scoops so that they grab the air and blow all that motor heat past me.  Plus, the windshield comes off when it's hellish hot like it is now.  Of course, when stopped, that do nothin'.  

If the heat still gets to me, I'll simply park it and drive the truck for awhile untill this pressure cooker heat subsides a little.....it's got a/c.  

It won't always be this hot....hopefully.  

[Jess Tolbirt]

I live in Arizona.  I am a transplant from Chicago.  Chicago had temps of 100 with a humidity factor of 90%.  Arizona has temps of 120 with a humidity factor of less than 10%.  It’s much easier to ride in Arizona’s 100+ degree temps than in Chicago’s high temps and high humidity.  Maybe it's not the heat that's bothering you but the humidity.  If you have a windshield on your bike take it off for the summer.  This will improve airflow over your body.  You may also consider periodically dousing yourself with water, especially you jeans.  Yes get wet, the moving air will cool you almost to a chill. 

Switching bikes may not help unless you significantly downsize.  A 600CC engine such as the Honda Shadow will put out about half the heat of your Valk.  I ride 364 days a year.  I take my Valk Interstate on the long road trips but ride a Magna, 750CC, V4 around town and on short trips especially in our 100+ degree Arizona heat.  One of the reasons is because it produces less heat than the Valk and does not have a windshield.  A side benefit is it is easier to handle so I am not working up a sweat trying to muscle the big bike in the high temps and it is a bit faster than the Valk.

The Valks have big engines which produce a lot of heat and you are sitting on top of it and heat rises.  Like they say, if ya can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen.  In this case move to Arizona where it’s a dry heat.

Hey Cruzen,,
my daughter was born inb Phoenix in 81....it was 117 in the shade,,,8 more degrees and i could have cooked a brisket on a sidewalk in that dry heat...me, i prefer the humidity,, i sweat and the wind cools me down...

to the others, i turn my wind wings to scoop the air across me and the buffetting is terriable,,,wind or buffetting,, hmmmmm, guess i need to slow down a little,,,i was only getting 21MPG the other day,,,big head wind,,,,
thanks for all the replies at least i know it just aint me,,,,

[Ghillie]

Our first 100 degree day today in Dallas, Leave a little earlier, stay at the office a little later so traffic clears and I am moving more of the time, take full use of the HOV lanes. Half helmet instead of full, loosen the mesh jacket to maximize airflow. Moved the pegs back a bit this weekend to open my sitting stance a bit and catch more air. Yeah it's hot but not as bad as my ex wife's Vulcan OMG.

[alph]

The Valk is a hot bike.  End of story. 

I’ve got Bakers Air Wings on mine and they do a great job in holding in the heat with the dams closed, but with the summer heat I’ll be taking off the fork deflectors, and probably the inner deflectors and just keeping the outers on, and divert the wind into my legs, that’ll keep you cool! 

[humshark]

I tend to agree with Willow on most points.  After moving to TN, I wish i had a dime for every time I hear how hot it is.  What's funny, and Blackdog can verify this - it's hotter in WI now where i used to live than it is here in good ol' TN!

As for the VALK being hot, YES it is.  6 cyliders makes for a lot of combustion surface area, and that translates into heat!  Interstates do a fantastic job of keeping the heat off the rider ( pods and radiator seal ) unless you extend a leg "just so" and allow the heat from the pods to come up your leg and into your lap.  But there are hotter bikes to ride.

Wife is getting over burns from her FJR while riding this past weekend from TN to TX and then back.  We stopped for our hydration and stretch when she came gallopping over and pulled me from the Valk to touch her tank where your inner thighs rest.  I couldn't keep my fingers there but for a second. 

In this heat every bike will be uncomfortable by most standards.  You just have to decide for yourself what your limit is.  But I'd plead to have you push your limit and drink twice as much water!  Take the last couple of swallows and pour it on you, and then start 'er up and twist the throttle.  The wonderful feeling of the water hitting that wind on your skin makes up for the "too hot" feelings a moment before!

[Rocketman]

I've found that above 108° you're cooler standing still than you are when you're moving.
-RP

Moving air is about efficient heat transfer.  If the air is lower than 98.6, it's efficient at cooling you.  If it's higher, it's efficient at heating you.
The other factor is evaporation, which biases that number upward a bit.  If you're not wet at all, a 98.7 degree wind will not cool you down.  If you're wet, the equation is a bit more complicated.

So, dump some water on your head, and twist the throttle!!!

[fiddle mike]

what do you guys do about theat that comes up between your legs on these bikes? I have the bakers but sheech the heat is just more than i can take... thinking about a different bike at the moment,,

Road pegs are the answer. Get your feet forward and the heat blows under your legs instead of on them.

Rocketman makes a point.  I rode couple hundred miles in temperature over 105°F soaking my head and a bandanna tied around my neck and lived to tell about it.

[Willy]

The heat from the engine has never been unbearable to me. (I ride a Tourer) When it's 100 degree outside I just pick a route that gets me to the Interstate with the least amount of stops. As long as I'm moving I'm happy.