Air-cooled - overheating

[dirtz]

Just wondering, coz I'll be riding my bike sometimes in temperatures like
40 degrees Centigrade. So being aa air-cooled can the GS500 take it.

Coz even the air around is hot, how is the engine gonna cool

[JohNLA]

In LA heat 8 hours a day for 5 days a week and no problems

[yamahonkawazuki]

as long as you're moving, and not sitting still for too long

[The Buddha]

Well 100 degree air will suck heat off a 250 degree motor.
Cool.
Srinath.

[KevinC]

Even water cooled bikes are air cooled - the radiators eventually dump the engine heat to the air.

No motorcycle, air-cooled or water-cooled, likes sitting in traffic in hot weather. They all need air-flow to cool properly. Lots of the water cooled bikes have to have fans that come on when the coolant temp gets too hot, that dump all the hot air onto the rider.

There are ways to minimize the heat soak on an engine. If you reduce the load on the engine 5 minutes before you are going to have to stop, the engine will be a lot cooler. So if you are cruising at 80 mph, slow down to 65 for a few minutes before leaving the highway. If you are giving it shaZam! in the twisties, slow the pace before stopping at the cafe.

Air-cooled engines are fine if the oil is kept clean and full. An oil cooler definitely helps.