Front Plastic Shield Under GS / RS Remove or Not

Hi,
I remember reading that members were removing the front plastic shield under the GS / RS models to increase engine cooling. Please advise.
Thanks in advance!!

Assuming that you are referring to the splash guards under the engine, they have been those that have removed them. I preferred to drill 11/2" and 2" holes in them so I still have some protection from debris....:thumbup: but it is a choice either way it helps clear the air in the engine compartment...

Do Not remove the plastic shield under the Front Trunk! As flimsy as it is, you need it. A SpyderPops Bump Skid is highly recommended.

As stated above, the plastic panels under the engine compartment can (and in my opinion) should be removed. You won't get much crud increase because of it (I got crud with the panels on). But you will get a huge increase in heat dissipation. Not on your Right Foot, and Not on your Crotch or Fuel Tank! The hot air goes where it should go, out the bottom of the engine compartment.

There are several different ideas on this. Mine is just one of them! But you are going in the right direction! :thumbup:

We regularly relocate those to a shelf in the garage! Gene has a great idea, too!
Funny how regular motorcycles (pre-Tupperware) never had belly pans, and did just fine.......😉

Thanks very much to the shelf it will go!:bowdown:

And yes I was referring to the one under the engine.

Hi Crisis,

Re: Thanks very much to the shelf it will go!

Just to be sure I know what you are talking about ( I have a GS also ), there two plastic panels under the engine; one on each side if I am correct as to what you are referring to.

Here is where the one on the left goes ( it has been removed in this photo ), just under where you drain the oil reservoir:




And here it is sitting on my garage floor:




I recently did my first oil change ( thanks, Gene ) & had it removed to keep oil from getting all over it.

Are we on the same page?

Jerry Baumchen

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crisis

Thanks very much to the shelf it will go!:bowdown:

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In any case you can always put them back on. Don't know anyone who has but you could be the first! :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JerryB

Hi Crisis,

Re: Thanks very much to the shelf it will go!


Just to be sure I know what you are talking about ( I have a GS also ), there two plastic panels under the engine; one on each side if I am correct as to what you are referring to.

Here is where the one on the left goes ( it has been removed in this photo ), just under where you drain the oil reservoir:




And here it is sitting on my garage floor:




I recently did my first oil change ( thanks, Gene ) & had it removed to keep oil from getting all over it.

Are we on the same page?

Jerry Baumchen

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Yes Jerry u are correct. In fact it looks to like u have the spyderpops vent installed in the pic.

Hi Crisis,

Re: spyderpops vent

Yes, I do have their heat mgt system installed.

Jerry Baumchen

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JerryB

Hi Crisis,

Re: Thanks very much to the shelf it will go!

Just to be sure I know what you are talking about ( I have a GS also ), there two plastic panels under the engine; one on each side if I am correct as to what you are referring to.

Here is where the one on the left goes ( it has been removed in this photo ), just under where you drain the oil reservoir:




And here it is sitting on my garage floor:




I recently did my first oil change ( thanks, Gene ) & had it removed to keep oil from getting all over it.

Are we on the same page?

Jerry Baumchen

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I'm going to be ripping my bike apart very soon and so just so I am clear these are the vents which are directly under the engine where you drain the oil? My leg did get hot last season when I Was riding so ANYTHING which helps.

Thanks for the answer and sorry for basic quesiton

Mine went in the garbage.

Hi tecnodog7,

Re: I'm going to be ripping my bike apart very soon and so just so I am clear these are the vents which are directly under the engine where you drain the oil?

You have to remove these lower, rather long, black panels ( this is the right side one, behind the brake lever ):



and then you can get access to the panels being discussed. They are held on with two 10 mm bolts & one torx head bolt.

Of course, you also have to remove some additional panels before you can remove these; :banghead:

Have fun,

Jerry Baumchen

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JerryB

Hi Crisis,

Re: spyderpops vent

Yes, I do have their heat mgt system installed.

Jerry Baumchen

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I too have the spyder pops heat mgt system and am about to install their heat shield also. Have you noticed a reduction in the hot leg area with your nstall?

Hi Clary,

Re: Have you noticed a reduction in the hot leg area with your install?

Definitely, but not 100% reduction. There is still some heat & I recommend his system.

At the end of the day, all motorcycles creat a lot of heat. IMO on Spyders this is compounded somewhat due to the Tupperware.

I no longer am bothered by the heat on my right leg/foot.

YMMV,

Jerry Baumchen

Once you take the splash panels off you'll never find a reason to put them back on. Mine hit the trash years ago.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Hi, I find 2 panels on the left side (one forward, one rear) and one on the right side (rear) do I remove all three or just the 2 rear panels. Thanks in advance.

I made up my own Alloy Skid Plate. Heaps better, stronger than the "plastic" one

Quote:

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Originally Posted by noboot

I made up my own Alloy Skid Plate. Heaps better, stronger than the "plastic" one

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Now that is a skid plate! Nice work!

Getting ready for the summer heat- removed the right splash panel and made Swiss cheese out of the left one and reinstalled. ...wanted to protect that oil drain line.