Normal operating Temp?

[TheDooman92]

I've been concerned about the temperature of my bike for some time now. This is my first GS500 and I'm learning quite a lot about it. I'm wondering if it's normal, on a hot day, for the cooling fins to get hot within 5 minutes of running the bike from "cold." After about 3-5 minutes I can hold my hand on the top of the cooling fin for about 5 seconds before it starts to hurt. Should I be concerned?

Thanks!
Andy.

[mr72]

Don't do that. It's an air cooled motorcycle. The fins are supposed to get hot.

[Bluesmudge]

Do you live somewhere that you have to regularly sit in gridlock traffic and the temps are over 100 degrees? I think this is a problem unique to the Southwest of the United States. Everywhere else is either cooler, or allows lane sharing/splitting.
Personally, I dont think the GS is well suited for city duty in Las Vegas, Phoenix, etc.
Anywhere else on the planet it should be fine. Normal operating temperature is too hot to touch. Nothing wrong with your GS. Good for warming your gloves and hands at gas stops on cold rides. Just be careful not to burn yourself.

[TheDooman92]

Thanks guys! Really appreciate your responses. Im in Canada, so the weather right now on a hot day is around 41-42 degrees with the humidex. After a good 20 minutes of riding, I can really start to feel the heat travelling up my legs, even when I'm in motion. During stop and go it can get pretty hot. After all, it is air cooled I do think I'm overthinking it.

On a side note: What would be the signs that the engine is going to overheat before it happens? What happens if the engine were to overheat?

Best,
Andrew.

[herennow]

Overheating  generally = seizing.

Go to canadian tyre (tire?) and buy one of those IR thermometer guns for 15 bucks. Folks say aliminium should not go much over 120 to 130 real degrees, but Im not sure. (not that farenheit crap )

PS the bike does not care about the humidex   I suspect it cools better when humid.

Hmmm, brings back memories,  wish I could just pop into a candian tyre.......

[mr72]

BTW my GS is cool as a cucumber compared with the Triumph. In a couple of years of riding in the Texas heat, never a single issue with overheating. I have not even heard of any GS500 overheating in this forum. I think you are pretty safe.