Author |
Message |
D2wing
| Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 10:18 pm: |
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I noticed that the frame gets hot on a long ride, Has anyone used some kind of knee pads or guards? It's got a comfort kit. Do those airflow inserts help? |
Sweetfish89
| Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 10:26 pm: |
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SpecOps makes a heat barrier you could try. http://www.specialops-online.com/11401.html |
Natek
| Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 11:51 pm: |
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But it's like having leg warmers! :P So far I've enjoyed the warmth of the frame, but the ambient temps are hardly even warm so far. |
Wesman
| Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 09:44 am: |
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Riding pants or kevlar jeans do the trick for me |
Xbeau12s
| Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 10:01 am: |
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well - if you'll consider chaps. they work great for keeping the heat off your leg. And they are not that hot on a 90 degree day. |
Firstbatch
| Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 10:11 am: |
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Yep, yet another "special" feature of the XB motorcycle. I lined the inside of the fuel rail/frame with reflective heat barrier Thermotec and it provides some relief and combined with odies blanket it does a good job of reducing the temp. I 'm sure if you search thermotec you will see some pics and more details in those threads. Sometime ago I remember using the laser temp gauge on the frame/fuel rail after a ride to record the temp and when the bike was shut down and it was a pretty toasty number. In the cool weather it sure is a big plus. |
Froggy
| Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 10:25 am: |
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What kind of pants are you wearing? I have never felt the heat in proper riding gear. |
Biffdotorg
| Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 11:31 am: |
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Before installing the comfort kit, I had burns on my inner thigh while wearing jeans. Mind you, these were not skin melting burns, but something similar to a sunburn that would discolor the skin and make it painful for a day. Now, I don't get near that much heat on my xt. |
Tiltcylinder
| Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 01:47 pm: |
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The gripster pads on the outside of the frame add a little insulation value, got those from American Sport Bike. The reflective self stick tile inside the frame adds more, from rider's wearhouse. Wrapping the pipe from the O2 sensor to the collector helped more than the other two. The biggest bang for the buck however, was a couple inches of foam rubber automotive weather stripping where the airbox cover and front of the seat meet the frame. Blowtorch like heat would escape from there at certain speeds. Do all of the above and the area by your leg will only get warm, has never gone to 'cook the thigh' temps again... even in traffic at 95 degrees. (Message edited by tiltcylinder on May 14, 2010) |
D2wing
| Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 02:07 pm: |
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Thanks for the tips. I have chaps and leather riding pants but I prefer jeans and pullover rain pants if I need them. Riding pants look a little too serious for me. Most places I ride to, I don't want to deal with changing pants. I've added some foil insulation under the seat and will check into the weather stripping and pipe wrap and SO stuff if needed. |
D2wing
| Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 06:25 pm: |
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Update. I added some insulation under the seat and some weather stripping. Today I rode 120 miles in 85 degree heat, did not have the blast on the right leg I used to. But after awhile the frame rails and front of the seat got hot. I'm getting a little sick of this and other issues like poor low speed running, and I may have a bad fork seal as well. I like the power, smooth ride for a small bike, very good handling, but I like some comfort too. It's not fun to roast tender parts. |
Paralegalpete
| Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 07:32 pm: |
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I've never had a problem with heat on my leg, although mines an 09 and has the little blocker plus I always wear riding pants. I wonder if that little blocker traps the heat under the seat as I have had a problem with a hot ass. The comfort kit seems to have helped but I havn't really tested it on a super hot day. |
Jim_williams
| Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 09:03 pm: |
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Funny. I don't feel the heat at all in my Motoport stretch pants. Roadcrafter my right leg is smoking! Never rode in anything else so can't say. |
Pizat
| Posted on Monday, May 24, 2010 - 09:18 am: |
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I rode my '07 for abut 200 miles this weekend. I was wearing my Olympia AirGlide pants and my right leg feels like it has a bad sunburn now. I put some weather stripping in last night and ordered the '10 style RSS/heat shield from American Sportbike. Hopefully these things help to curb the issue. I don't mind hot, but not to the point it's frying my skin. |
Towpro
| Posted on Monday, May 24, 2010 - 09:29 am: |
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The change that helped me fix the RS heat the most was a piece of weather strip foam in the gap between the frame and seat on the RS. I already had the blanket and comfort kit. But yes the frame gets warm, but it was the hot air blowing out between the frame and seat that was causing 1st degree burns on my RS inner knee area. Not griping the bike with your knees helps with the warm frame discomfort. |
Metaldude
| Posted on Monday, May 24, 2010 - 03:20 pm: |
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I found that using metal foil furnace tape over the three open spots above the engine helped cut down on heat escaping from those areas. (Right and left side plus the space where the seat connects near the airbox.) The first time I fired the bike up it smelled a bit like burning adhesive, but no issues since. |
Pizat
| Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - 06:24 am: |
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Update: Wow, what a difference! I rode for a couple hours yesterday for the first time with weather stripping installed. I would say the heat felt on my right leg was reduced by 50% or more. Still warm down there but a definite change for the better. |
Motorbike
| Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - 10:17 am: |
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I received my Special Ops Uly Maximum Heat barrier yesterday and installed only the front half last night. I took the bike out for a spin in the 95 degree heat and rode for about an hour at mostly slower speeds in town with only a few miles out of town. This barrier really makes a difference! It blocks the heat I used to feel coming out of the gap between the right front part of the seat and the frame and airbox cover. Go to the Special Ops website and take a look at the pics. You will see what I mean. The Special Ops Uly Maximum Heat Barrier is a very nice product and I highly recommend it. Thanks. This is a very nice product and I highly recommend it. Thanks. |
Motorbike
| Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - 10:20 am: |
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Oops, not sure what happened on my last post. I only meant to highly recommend the product once! |
Tiltcylinder
| Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - 12:52 pm: |
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Pizat, the weather stripping was by far the bang for the buck mod. At around 20, 40 and 60 mph it seemed like someone was turning a hairdrier on my right thigh. Every bit helps, now it just gets warm (still a little too warm) fairly evenly on both sides. Great until the temp rises over 80 degrees, then I can't hug the frame full time, sticking the knees into the breeze once in a while provides relief. I wear armored riding pants, but they're unventilated and am looking for something more mesh like for summer. |
Pizat
| Posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - 06:43 pm: |
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Tiltcylinder, the weather stripping was easy and free and provides some relief. I have a '10 Right side scoop and heatshield on the way that hopefully will help a bit too. Maybe someone with an RSS can say whether it helps any with heat. P.S. Olympia Airglide riding pants are great quality mesh pants. I wear gym shorts under mine and the airflow is great in summer. Same with their jackets too. |
Griffmeister
| Posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - 09:26 pm: |
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I've had foam weatherstripping under the seat for a year now. I couldn't believe it when I took the seat off and there's this big opening with the rear head sticking through. Only problem is keeping that foam stuck in place. The frame is broad at one point but then narrows down and this is where it walks out. Does the SpecialOPS shield eliminate the need for foam? |
D2wing
| Posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - 11:35 pm: |
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I've made some progress. I cut some foil backed foam duct insulation sheet to cover the frame openings and inside the frame next to the rear head. Also cut some to fit under the seat and seal the space between the rear of the airbox cover and frame with duct tape. The seat and frame get warm but not too bad. There was a sheepskin pad that came with an old KLR that fit ok and helped some too. After a 40 mile trip it felt ok. The tape on the aircover to frame under the seat seemed to help the most. Thanks for that tip guys. The fan runs a little more but I'm not too concerned about that. My hard working private parts are of prime importance. I'd like to try the Special Ops heat barrier but so far no response to email or a call from them. I suppose he is pretty busy. I also tried some cheap muffler tape on the header but it burned off, went into the fan and blew a fuse. |