Riding temp of RS

Hey ya'll. I'm a noob but I look forward to visiting here often. I just found this place last week. I've been working on my '00 RS for the last month and was just able to get her on the road this week. I've noticed that the temp seems to be running high. During the cooler months, it usually sat around 181-182, now it seem to be a lot higher, often forcing the fan to come on around 220. My fluid is fine, I just topped it off before I hit the road, so my question is, what is a normal temperature for the bike while riding? What about at more idle situations, like traffic? Should I be concerned at the apparent higher temperatures or write it off as summer heat? Is there anything I could do, like putting in a bigger, or more efficient cooling fan?

Thank you for your time and help...

[Scottius]

Welcome!

I've got an 04 which has the newer motor that is supposed to run cooler. I have yet to see a temp over 220 - even on a hot day (low 90s) in traffic. I typically run around 175-185 depending on the ambient temp and twisties. My fan kicks on at 215 when things get slower.

Enjoy the site - ton o' good info here - good peeps too!

[jefftarlton]

The sprint hates stop and go traffic. Mine runs 184 almost all the time if I'm rolling but starts heating up immediately when I stop. My fan comes on at about 205 and I've never seen 220. Even when I'm running 60-70 mph in 95 degree heat mine runs 190 or so. 19 thousand miles and mine seems to run just fine. Using a sprint around town is a little like using a learjet to fly to the next county anyway.
I'd like to see pics of a naked sprint, got any?
If anyone is able to fit a larger radiator, please tell the rest of us.

[jellero]

my rs has never gotten hotter than 105. it sure is hot to sit on though when the temp is higher. wish there was some sort of deflector to shoot the hot air down. j

[ This message was edited by: jellero on 2004-07-09 21:59 ]

[Huladog]

Compared to Atlanta where you are, Hawaii is close with high temps - humidity so normal running temp I see is about 185, have seen it as high as 221 in traffic.

Your temperature range is similar to what I'm seeing.

Yeah, the hot air hitting your leg isn't fun but it helps dry your leg/boots when riding in the rain!

[ This message was edited by: Huladog on 2004-07-09 16:41 ]

[stevecro]

My RS has been sitting on 82C (180F) in consistent riding at normal road speeds.
Sitting at lights and dawdling in town traffic it heats up to 104C (219,220F)and that's about it. The fan cuts in and holds it steady.
Seems pretty consistent for the model. I've just put in semi-synthetic oil and I'll monitor any changes.

Same here: 105C is the highest I've had it.

Same for me...

I have an 02 RS

At 'cruising speeds' the radiator can work at maximum efficiency and my temp is 82-84C. However in stop and go traffic where there is no natural airflow through the radiator she heats up to 104 C when the fan kicks in...

PS Did I mention I love my RS?!?!

[niteowl955i]

Mine runs around 182-186 all the time fan kicks in at 218
I haven't overheated yet. You do have to watch the level in the overflow tank, they seem to leak once in awhile, I think it's coming from the overflow tube.
Later

On 2004-07-09 11:42, jefftarlton wrote:
I'd like to see pics of a naked sprint, got any?

Well, sort of. I am the third owner of the bike. The first owner totaled it at 800 miles or so. My buddie bought it and bodged something awful in order to get it legal. Really bad. He had a Ford pickup headlight attached to the front with shelf brackets. No lie, honest to God 90 degree shelf brackets. He also plastered the plastics with stickers. I just spent the last month or so putting a new front end on it to clean it up a little. The bike's still real rough looking, and has been down a couple times (not by me...well, once by me, but I couldn't tell if I did any damage..Ha..) So, I have pictures of the bike before I worked on it, but I haven't got any after. I'm a little nervous showing ya'll, because I fear you might think I've bastardized a beautiful bike. But here's what matters... the engine still rocks, it runs good, and as my first bike, I couldn't be happier. I'll take some pictures of it soon and post them if ya'll are still interested...