Erratic Thermostat.. or normal operation?
 

I've only put 1500 miles on my SHawk since buying it used about 5 months ago so I am still learning what is "normal."

Today was my first ride in the rain. Temperature swings were wider than what I would expect so I am suspicious I have a sticky thermostat. Was very steady temp of 195 F at a constant 70 mph in 85 degree dry weather conditions in 6th gear at the beginning of my ride. This was on a 65MPH Interstate. Then about 50 miles from home I encountered several brief showers. In each rain event the temp went down to about 175 at 50- 60 mph. But in the dry intervening times afterward temp would occasionally go above 200, once or twice up to 218 when the rain quit at 40 mph. These were mostly mixed speed limit 2 lane roads. Speeds varied from 35- 60.

Is this normal temperature experience for this machine???

Seeing lower coolant temperatures when you're riding in rain is normal. If you're travelling at 50 to 60 mph., a mixture of air and water at 85 degrees F. will suck more heat from the radiators on your VTR than air alone at 85 degrees F.

That doesn't sound too abnormal to me. What it sounds like is you had a little evaporative cooling going on during your "rain events". In other words, any moisture entrained with the airflow in contact with your engine and flowing past the radiators was more effective at carrying the heat away thus lowering the temp for those brief periods.
And from my experience at least, rural speeds at higher outdoor temps will not generate enough airflow through the radiators to effectively cool the engine, thus the cooling fan is there to assist.
My fan kicks on at about 218 - 220 degrees and turns off at about 208 - 209. In city driving, it will cycle the fan as needed.

+1

During a canyon ride today with my wife on her SV, my bike was over 200 continuously in mid 90's temps.

A couple of weeks ago, in low 70's temps, my temp gauge was showing as low as 178 on the same ride.

And as I was writing my first lengthy reply, Comedo awnsered your question.

Yeah... that happens.

Thanks all. I know water is a much more effective coolant than air, I was just surprised how fast it popped up above 200 when it dried out. So it's reassuring to hear this is normal for this bike.