High Heat from Engine

JAB · Jul 10, 2014

Hello guys, I wanted to know if it's normal for the VRSCDX to emit tons of heat. If I idle for more than a few minutes the heat coming off the bike is pretty extreme, you can feel the heat cooking you through your pants and boots and it's unbearable if you're wearing shorts.

After riding for about 5 minutes the fan will kick on and it won't stop running until after you shut down the bike. The heat feels like you're holding your leg over a flame. It only really affects the right side of the bike and when it gets hot, there isn't a good place to put your foot to get away from the heat.

My old bike was an 883 iron, and that warmed up a bit after you idled for awhile. While that may have been mildly uncomfortable this feels insane. I thought liquid cooled bikes were supposed to run cooler.

Let me know if you think something is wrong or if I'm just being a sissy and this happens to everyone.

rc4man · Jul 10, 2014

If you're in stop/go traffic the fans will run often, and it will be hot.

LL Cool K · Jul 10, 2014

Yup...it gets hot sitting in traffic and the fans kick in. The bike is also very lean from the factory, and that doesn't help at all.

JAB · Jul 10, 2014

I read a few other posts that said it gets hot. But I thought it just meant hot and uncomfortable, not hot and causes pain.

rbabos · Jul 10, 2014

Can't say as I've ever noticed any real heat. The odd time it feels warm when the fans come on and the wind is just right otherwise nothing worth while. 217* when the fans kick in is a hell of a lot cooler then the airhead running close to 300 head temp in traffic.
Fans should cycle approx from 217 on and off at 208. If they don't there is a cooling issue somewhere.
Ron

Hoffa65 · Jul 10, 2014

Somethings not right fans should not run if you have been moving at a descent speed for some time

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gadgetgirl · Jul 10, 2014

My DX will start burning my right leg hamstring/inner thigh through jeans when I'm in stop and go traffic. So far, it's only 1st degree burns, but it hurts like hell. I try to sprawl my right leg back so my toes are even with the rear tire to avoid the heat. I've been researching ceramic coating the header pipes this week. DXs are like sharks, they're best when they never stop moving.

Wind Walker · Jul 11, 2014

No offense to anyone, but who would ride a bike in shorts?

rc4man · Jul 11, 2014

Wind Walker said:
No offense to anyone, but who would ride a bike in shorts?

:them:, Might as well add flip-flops to that.

J&P Cycles sell various length "add-on" pipe heat shields that could be clamped over the existing one for additional inner leg protection pretty reasonably.

Hoffa65 · Jul 11, 2014

Shorts ?? Hell ya!
Must be a FL thing ;-)

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Glock30Eric · Jul 11, 2014

It's all normal. If you got K&N Air Fitler and the heat will be 2X hotter. I don't mind just move your legs around at the stop and it helps. Or use your glove to block heat going to your legs.

gritgolfer · Jul 11, 2014

Shorts ain't a Florida thing. The asphalt here is full of shell and will strip your skin like you were captured by the Predator and hanging from a jungle tree.

Hoffa65 · Jul 11, 2014

Asphalt is asphalt from MN to FL. Unless your wearing leather its gonna eat you and your pants

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JAB · Jul 11, 2014

Wind Walker said:
No offense to anyone, but who would ride a bike in shorts?

Haha, well it's really easy to find parking when you're on a motorcycle so I'll use it to park in the city but I want to wear shorts once I'm at the beach, the zoo, or whatever. So I'll wear shorts if I'm just riding 10-15 minutes to get somewhere in the city.

H-D Heathen · Jul 11, 2014

Don't be this guy !

black1125 · Jul 22, 2014

Plain ol jeans won't stop that from happening either..

HercDriver · Jul 22, 2014

gritgolfer said:
Shorts ain't a Florida thing. The asphalt here is full of shell and will strip your skin like you were captured by the Predator and hanging from a jungle tree.

Best quote ever IMHO.

lause:

RustyG · Jul 22, 2014

JAB,
You have a recent vintage DX. Those come tuned real lean from the factory to satisfy EPA requirements. Real lean means real hot.
You might try getting a tuner and have the bike re-tuned for a richer mixture. I don't recommend H-D Dealers for this because they are bound to tune to EPA requirements. Get an after market tuner such as a Power commander or TTS Master tune etc. Have the bike tuned by a independent that specializes in this sort of thing.

Icenine99 · Jul 28, 2014

I'm glad I bought the F. There is no problem with heat from the exhaust even in shorts.

JAB · Jul 28, 2014

RustyG said:
JAB,
You have a recent vintage DX. Those come tuned real lean from the factory to satisfy EPA requirements. Real lean means real hot.
You might try getting a tuner and have the bike re-tuned for a richer mixture. I don't recommend H-D Dealers for this because they are bound to tune to EPA requirements. Get an after market tuner such as a Power commander or TTS Master tune etc. Have the bike tuned by a independent that specializes in this sort of thing.

That may be the case. I took it into the dealership for them to check it out.

While I was riding I noticed my check engine light briefly lit up, then when I slowed down to pull over the light went away. Not sure if it's related to the heat, but hopefully it all gets figured out when they take a look at it on Tuesday.

High Heat from Engine

JAB

rc4man

LL Cool K

JAB

rbabos

Hoffa65

gadgetgirl

Wind Walker

rc4man

Hoffa65

Glock30Eric

gritgolfer

Hoffa65

JAB

H-D Heathen

black1125

HercDriver

RustyG

Icenine99

JAB

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