Superhawk running temperature
08-20-2004, 10:40 PM
#2
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
My bike fan cuts in at 104 C (219.2 F) when in traffic. and yes it has become hotter 106 C (222 F) on a hot summer day.
I get worried about the exhaust pipe tempreture, as I have a belly pan fitted and the pipe can be seen glowing red.
Usually it runs about 80 C (176 F).
I get worried about the exhaust pipe tempreture, as I have a belly pan fitted and the pipe can be seen glowing red.
Usually it runs about 80 C (176 F).
08-25-2004, 02:35 PM
#3
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mine also usually runs in the 170s-180s or so, when ambient temperature is about 70-75 degrees or so, and no stop/go traffic.
in stop/go traffic, mine easily goes to 205 or so, and stays around there. I have not noticed the fans kicking in, but haven't paid much attention anyways.
I think yours is running normal.
in stop/go traffic, mine easily goes to 205 or so, and stays around there. I have not noticed the fans kicking in, but haven't paid much attention anyways.
I think yours is running normal.
08-28-2004, 08:48 AM
#5
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That's about right. Best was when I found a rock jamming my fan. Pulled the rock and forgot to check the fuse, the next day in HEAVY traffic the temps soared WAY above 220... didn't notice until the guage was blinking. Pulled over and swapped out the blown fuse and all was well. Man, I about had a heart attack.
08-31-2004, 12:16 PM
#6
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
I used to be a salesman at a bike shop during the summer of 03, where we sold Ducatis, the salesmanager was a Ducati nut!! He said that Vtwins actually performed better running hotter........I was like what the F*ck?? I dont know how true that is, but I think he was just trying to make a sale.
08-31-2004, 02:09 PM
#7
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
I would happily run normal operating temp. on mine up from 80 C (176 F) to 98 C (208 F) .
The preasure cap is 13lb/sq.in and boiling point is 138 C (280 F) ,.. so there is quite a safty margine. (as long as everything is in good working order).
Most cars run at these tempretures to get economy and power.
The preasure cap is 13lb/sq.in and boiling point is 138 C (280 F) ,.. so there is quite a safty margine. (as long as everything is in good working order).
Most cars run at these tempretures to get economy and power.
09-01-2004, 05:18 PM
#8
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
I'm very interested in this topic, I've had my Superhawk up as high as 240! Is there a possibility of additional/different fans, or thermostat that would help this?
09-01-2004, 07:21 PM
#9
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
The higher temperature is great for fuel efficiency and power,.. BUT.. it is limited be to composition / construction of the gaskets and the stress design of each individual engine.
To run a higher temperature by changing the thermostat and fan switch may warp the engine construction, leading to a failure.
I guess that Mr Honda did his homework,.. and gave us a safe reliable engine.
For my part I am running a product call ' Bi-Tron' (2-4-6) ,.. in the engine oil. Just on trial at this time. I have put it into Cars / RV's, and it works great.
To run a higher temperature by changing the thermostat and fan switch may warp the engine construction, leading to a failure.
I guess that Mr Honda did his homework,.. and gave us a safe reliable engine.
For my part I am running a product call ' Bi-Tron' (2-4-6) ,.. in the engine oil. Just on trial at this time. I have put it into Cars / RV's, and it works great.
09-02-2004, 06:39 AM
#10
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
It's been helpful to read the replies so far, but I wish we had more specific numbers.
Unless I'm traveling over 50mph my bike consistantly reaches 215 degrees and the fan kicks on. I guess that's just the nature of a twin. I'm just about ready for the next tune up so I'll ask the Honda mechanic and see what he says.
Unless I'm traveling over 50mph my bike consistantly reaches 215 degrees and the fan kicks on. I guess that's just the nature of a twin. I'm just about ready for the next tune up so I'll ask the Honda mechanic and see what he says.
12-09-2004, 11:34 AM
#12
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
Having left the SuperHawk world for the VFR world for four years and now back, it's so funny to see parallels and this thread is one.
Only new model owners with the digital temp readout are "complaining" about high temps. Us with analog guages aren't. Here in the fall, my fan comes on between 1/4 and 1/2 on the scale. That sure "looks" a lot cooler than seeing 215f or 225f !
Same thing happened in the vfr lists with they switched over in 98.
Also, the side rads aren't as effective (IMO) at very low speeds and need more airflow over them to pull the BTU's effectively.
Doug
Only new model owners with the digital temp readout are "complaining" about high temps. Us with analog guages aren't. Here in the fall, my fan comes on between 1/4 and 1/2 on the scale. That sure "looks" a lot cooler than seeing 215f or 225f !
Same thing happened in the vfr lists with they switched over in 98. Also, the side rads aren't as effective (IMO) at very low speeds and need more airflow over them to pull the BTU's effectively.
Doug
01-02-2005, 09:18 AM
#14
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
in the summer 90deg and up my fan comes on at 215 but temp my temp never has gone higher than 220 in town stop and go when it not hot as hell 210-211 is norm on my bike i don't know if that help ya or not
01-02-2005, 09:24 AM
#15
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
i usually don't worry about my temp my last bike was a harley so no matter what my temp reading is i know that is not even close to what my harley ran i know this cuz my superhawk doesn't roast my bag at a stop light in the summer 
01-18-2005, 08:14 AM
#16
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
Mamisano makes a good point about the cooling fan and overheating. The day I bought my first VTR, I ran into a bit of afternoon traffic, and the temperature gauge suddenly shot-up past the half-way point (on the pre-2002 temp gauge).
Once I saw that the VTR was overheating--and rather quickly, at that--, I rode along the highway shoulder so I could take an exit ramp and pull into a gas station about 1/2 mile away. I was still new to the world of VTR, so I didn't yet know that listening for cooling fan operation is part of routine riding procedure.
I then checked coolant level and allowed the VTR to cool for about twenty minutes. I was then able to ride backroads to keep the bike moving (and thus cooling sufficiently) until I got back to the dealership--which, by the way, should have checked cooling fan operation before they even sold the used VTR.
They found that a large bug had become lodged in the cooling fan blades and that the fuse had consequently blown. They removed the bug, replaced the fuse, and I was off, cooling fan functioning properly.
I now make it a point to listen regularly for proper cooling fan operation, especially since SuperChicken III does not yet have the '02-and-up instrument cluster that includes a digital temperature gauge.
(Fuses are much less expensive to replace than engines are.)
cheers,
--HotStreetVTR
Once I saw that the VTR was overheating--and rather quickly, at that--, I rode along the highway shoulder so I could take an exit ramp and pull into a gas station about 1/2 mile away. I was still new to the world of VTR, so I didn't yet know that listening for cooling fan operation is part of routine riding procedure.
I then checked coolant level and allowed the VTR to cool for about twenty minutes. I was then able to ride backroads to keep the bike moving (and thus cooling sufficiently) until I got back to the dealership--which, by the way, should have checked cooling fan operation before they even sold the used VTR.
They found that a large bug had become lodged in the cooling fan blades and that the fuse had consequently blown. They removed the bug, replaced the fuse, and I was off, cooling fan functioning properly.
I now make it a point to listen regularly for proper cooling fan operation, especially since SuperChicken III does not yet have the '02-and-up instrument cluster that includes a digital temperature gauge.
(Fuses are much less expensive to replace than engines are.)
cheers,
--HotStreetVTR
06-16-2005, 05:15 PM
#17
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
I would like to revisit this topic for a couple minutes, I was just wondering if anyone has successfully mounted a bigger oil cooler, and if so did it make a difference? I was also thinking that a couple small fans on the cooler (maybe CPU fans) might make quite a difference. As another thought I was wondering if there were any fans that would look stylish that could be mounted to the outside of the radiators to help pull through air. Thoughts?
06-16-2005, 08:49 PM
#18
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I don't think more fans are the answer. Better airflow would probably work better...?
My bike has sat for 15 minutes in traffic after being run hard, and never got much past 1/2 on the gauge. Certainly never anywhere close to 3/4! I need to change emy coolant though, and I'll add some wetter water, just for fun (I think it's supposed to make the bike warm up slightly faster). I'd be willing to bet that even when getting raced, oil temps don't get too bad. Keeping in mind, a synthetic is good to over 230F.
Adding a larger oil cooler would be super easy, just cut the metal lines, flare them and use a nut. Another oil cooler off a similar bike would probably bolt right up to the stock location, given the lines are long enough. I just don't think there's a need until I see some oil temp data.
My bike has sat for 15 minutes in traffic after being run hard, and never got much past 1/2 on the gauge. Certainly never anywhere close to 3/4! I need to change emy coolant though, and I'll add some wetter water, just for fun (I think it's supposed to make the bike warm up slightly faster). I'd be willing to bet that even when getting raced, oil temps don't get too bad. Keeping in mind, a synthetic is good to over 230F.
Adding a larger oil cooler would be super easy, just cut the metal lines, flare them and use a nut. Another oil cooler off a similar bike would probably bolt right up to the stock location, given the lines are long enough. I just don't think there's a need until I see some oil temp data.
06-17-2005, 02:50 AM
#19
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
Well I dont know about a fan on the outside of the radiators , but I had a riding buddy last year who would constantly commute to chicago ( which is about 45 min from here in good traffic ) on his hawk . He went to a local junk yard and scored another fan from a wrecked vtr to use on the other radiator which I guess seemed to work out pretty well in heavy traffic . I guess all he did was up the size of the fuse and tap in to the existing wiring . Ive never had a problem with mine getting hot it usually stays right about 200 . I dont know good luck .
06-18-2005, 07:19 PM
#20
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
I've though about trying out a coolant additive this summer called WaterWetter.
Anybody else tried this stuff before?
http://www.redlineoil.com/products_coolant.asp ....
Anybody else tried this stuff before?
http://www.redlineoil.com/products_coolant.asp ....
06-19-2005, 01:06 AM
#22
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
I used to think that my hawk might not be getting the propper airflow since it's got sharkskinz on it and no internal directional ducts anymore, but now I've realized that without those directionals, the radiator is still getting air when you are moving, but also, when you're stopped, there is less crap to keep air from getting to your radiator so it was actually a blessing in disguise.
06-22-2005, 12:55 AM
#24
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
Did a run to the top of Mt.Evans at almost 14k feet and temp rose to an alarming 225 F but never over that. Bike actually started after parking it on top for an hour. Temp that day was 90+ F. Amazing bike. Very forgiving.
Certainly I should have leaned-out the carbs for such a journey!
Certainly I should have leaned-out the carbs for such a journey!
06-24-2005, 06:52 AM
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
I sucked out some of the antifreeze-laden fluid last night and added more straight water, and it seems to be cooling a little better now. May be that at my base altitude (4500feet) less antifreeze is needed, can anyone confirm or deny this? I also have some water wetter in it so that could have been too much junk for the amount of water. I'll know better when it's 100F this afternoon in traffic.
06-28-2005, 06:34 AM
#27
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
I sucked out some of the antifreeze-laden fluid last night and added more straight water, and it seems to be cooling a little better now. May be that at my base altitude (4500feet) less antifreeze is needed, can anyone confirm or deny this? I also have some water wetter in it so that could have been too much junk for the amount of water. I'll know better when it's 100F this afternoon in traffic.
Antifreeze has a lower heat capacity than water, meaning it does not absorb and transfer heat as well.
Pure water will transfer heat better than antifreeze.
Antifreeze serves to raise to boil temp (and lower the freezing temp), as well as protecting the internals from corrosion, but it will not make an engine run cooler. In fact, it can make it run hotter.
So, check your coolant mix.
Should be about 50-50.
Changes in altitude will affect boilng point (boiling point drops as you go up in altitude) But, I do not think this would affect you cooling. It might affect it from the standpoint that there is "less air" at higher altitudes, therefore less air moving across the radiator fins to carry away heat. But I doubt if that is the problem. Too may engines perform at high altutudes without problems.
BTW and FWIW, Octane requirements drop as well when you go up in altutude.
Hope you get it all squared away.
06-28-2005, 06:53 AM
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Re: Superhawk running temperature
Not that I expect it to make you feel any better, but up here in sunny Salt Lake I have had mine up that high before. I swear altitude must have something to do with it. However, adding more straight water has seemed to help mine. It still regularly gets up into the 2-teen range, but cools off much faster when the fan kicks in, or I get some open road.
