since the gs is air cooled, are there temps that could be too hot for the bike to be ridden in?  i realize how open-ended this topic is.....i'm trying to reduce potential stress on the engine if in fact there could be issues.

here in dallas right now the temp is reported at 102 degrees (heat index of 107) and practically no wind.  this is pretty much normal and won't go away for a while longer.  we also have no legal lane splitting.  so with temps like that, neverminding me being in gear, am i stressing the bike riding it when it's so hot out?  

thanks,
brandi

Not sure on the air temp vs. engine ability to cool itself but, I would suggest that you rejet the carbs to richen them up a bit if you haven't already.  At least the engine will run slightly cooler by way of not being too lean.

Paul

Riding it?  no  

Sitting in traffic idling. yeah that can be bad.

I think you are safe there, Brandi. Keep those fins clean and the engine will be fine. There probably is a theoretical threshold but you would not be out riding at that point.

the other day I was listening to talk radio and Jessy James was on.

Apparently he has an Old Harley with an "fan" in front.. it was called teh parade duty fan.. I am sure we can jerry rig something for the GS.

They put them on the front of police HDs.

Lita is contemplating putting a full fairing on her GS. If she does I want to put an oil cooler and fan on the front.

good to know.  now i can ride with no worries...especially when the delerium from the heat kicks in.  i can laugh histarically to myself all the way home.    :lol:

thanks for the rejetting tip as well.  i plan to rejet as soon as possible.  

brandi

I try not to idle for real long periods of time in traffic during extreme heat but for the most part, I think these machines can take a lot. I remember having a Honda 3-wheeler when I was 10 and it would idle in extreme heat, stop and go, I can't even remember how much abuse I dished out to that wheeler and it kept going and going and going.

Quote from: jangofettI think these machines can take a lot. I remember having a Honda 3-wheeler when I was 10 and it would idle in extreme heat, stop and go.

He said Honda...  :guns:

So, how do you know if the engine is getting too warm? It's not like there is a temperature gauge. Are there any indications?

I practiced figure-eights and slow speed turns last night for about an hour in 75 degree weather... it hit me just as I was finishing that driving around in 1st gear for that long with such minimal air flow might not be great.

If the front fender starts to warp or the paint starts to bubble.

I have a underbelly fairing on mine and have had no problems with driving it around slow speeds etc. Tho I didnt mount it too close to the headers when I first did it and the paint wasnt quite cured so I have a bubble there but havent had any since.

what does it mean to "rejet"? why do you do it?

Woah dude...3 years old.

Rejetting involves changing the orafices through which gasoline flows in the carburators.  It would adjust the air/fuel ratio.

Search for "rejet" to get more information.

-Turd.

I have both a gs500f and a suzuki intruder 1400 and both are air cooled.  I have ridden both bikes in the hottest of weather in stop and go traffic.  I am convinced that both of these bikes are bulletproof as I have never had an issue with heat.  I ride every day in the dallas area and this summer we have had over 40 days of triple digit temps.  Both bikes handled it very well.

Quote from: DriveUntilFound on September 05, 2006, 06:16:52 PM
what does it mean to "rejet"? why do you do it?

That's a really frequently asked question, therefore:

Why does one Rejet a Motorcycle?
HOW TO: Rejet your GS500

I doubt you'll have a problem with the heat... I've riden home in an hour of stop and go traffic while it was over 100 and didn't have any problems what-so-ever.  

If it gets to hot, it will stall and probably not want to start back up right away.  If this happens, let it sit for half and hour or so and try to start it again.