When its cold out (low 40F) my temp gauge never goes above 1/4 scale which is the first tick on the gauge. But when its hot out (105F) my gauge will go just a hair past 1/2 scale. I'm surprised that there would be a difference in operating temperatures since the engine is water cooled and I believe the thermostat, in theory, should keep the engine at the same temperature regardless of ambient air temperature.

Do you have the same experience?

 

my temp guage (LCD temp readout on '02 and later models) varies with outside temp and riding speeds from 170 to 200+ The SH radiators don't do the best job at lower speeds so I wouldn't worry much about it. Once the water gets hot the thermostat stays open until it cools below 170 degrees but if the radiators don't dissipate the heat quickly enough the temp will rise above 170.

 

YES

 

And Yes. It's normal.

 

Same here.

 

So what your saying is that is normal? LOL, soryy I had to....

Mine does that too, I since a trend.....

 

Axed the question cause I was wonderin if my thermostat was working properly.

 

that is what I was wondering, then I thought holy crap is the coolant low, or worse empty....but alas, it was just the hawk, being the hawk....lol

 

During this last summer I added that WatterWetter stuff from Red Line and my engine temps rarely ever get close to the half way mark on my analog gauge. Don't know exactly what the engine temp. is but I do know that the stuff works great.

 

Here its usually around 100 degrees outside, and my bike will get up to 225degrees city and normaly around 215 freeway. Is it normal to be that high? Thank you.

 

I've got a new '05 with <500 miles. It's "damn hot" here in MS right now. I notice my temperature going up around 220 F. I know the engine is tight, but it seems mighty high to me. The manual cautions 251 F (122 C) as overheated.

Mike

 

My 05 with 3500 miles has not gone over 218 degrees this summer. That'd be in traffic and shortly before hitting the shade and "cooling speed". Which is completely different than "ludicrous speed;" that'll send you to plaid. WC