Hot Weather Riding

Sassifrasstea · #1 07-29-2008, 04:20 PM

I was just wondering if it was too rough on the motor to ride in 100+ degree temperatures. Have you guys ridden any distance in this kind of heat? I can't seem to find anything on this subject. I live about 12 miles from work and would like to ride, even in this heat, but don't want to hurt the bike. Thanks for any thoughts on this.

jasonh · #2 07-29-2008, 04:27 PM

I don't see a real problem with riding in hot weather. As long as you don't leave the bike just idling with no air movement, you should be fine. Quite a few motorcycles use air-cooled engines much larger than these. Hope that helps.

**Dave31** · #3 07-29-2008, 06:12 PM

Here in AZ I ride well above 100deg. all summer long. Lose a little power do to the heat but other then that no plroblems. Last July made a 140mile trip to Mexico in the heat, just stopped a lot for a few minutes every now and then but that was more for me then the motor.

datz510 · #4 07-29-2008, 06:15 PM

I ride my HT in 115F temps with no problems. They run fine at higher temps, just dont run them too hard & take breaks every now and then to let the engine cool down.

jasonh · #5 07-29-2008, 06:32 PM

no offense guys but I am SO glad I don't have 115deg heat to ride in anymore

azbill · #6 07-29-2008, 07:44 PM

my rear needs me to stop more than the bike does

12 miles should be fine

Pablo · #7 07-30-2008, 12:16 AM

I think I rode once when it was 80°F. Bike did fine.

lennyharp · #8 07-30-2008, 12:35 AM

I commute at 4:30 PM and 6:00 AM in Phoenix area, and could swear that at 110 - 115 the motor has less power that in the morning at 80 - 90 degrees. This could be my imagination as the brain fries at 105 and I am not sure how sane I am after 30 years of commuting like this. I do not find any problems and have 1300 miles with no failures on a Robin Subaru EHO35 running thru a Staton gear box. Pablo we can find even less than 80 degrees if we go to the cooler at 7-Eleven.

jasonh · #9 07-30-2008, 09:53 AM

Yep, pretty much all motors will make less power once they hit a certain temp. Nothing out of the ordinary though.

Heh, I rode to work this morning and I was almost wishing I brought a light jacket...was a bit nippy

Bike ran great though.

Sassifrasstea · #10 07-30-2008, 08:00 PM

Thank you so much for the input. Glad I don't have to worry about it now.