Exhaust/cooling/Tire pressure questions from new ryder

[KipDM]

is there any exhaust kit/configuration that improves mpg (i am not concerned about increase/decrease in horsepower)? street legal is preferable (just in case).

has anyone here put on the "missing air dam" (or similar products)? does it REALLY decrease engine temp buildup? i ask because on relatively cool days (around 77 degrees) i find in slow speed practice drills i easily - and rapidly - get up to one or 2 bars from max engine temp. i am concerned when it gets to 98 degrees here in summer i cannot get into traffic without risking rapid overheat....

how frequently do all of you check your tire pressure? i have fallen into the bad habit of treating it like a car not checking tire pressure (have a clean driveway so can VERY easily spot leaking oil). i am trying to work on this, but forget more frequently than i remember.

 

[SethO]

harvey's air dam inserts are great and do work, see my burns I have from not having them.

Tire pressure is more of a tire wear issue I have found, I run 19 psi on all three in the summer and less in the winter.

 

[Texmac1011]

Don't get overly concerned about your temperature bars. When the Texas summer gets here, 5 bars is very common for me. That is not anywhere close to over heating. Every once in a while I will get to 6 bars. Lamont posted pictures of the actual temperaturess relative to the bars. If you can find it, you will be suprised at how low the temperatures are. The air off the fan does get pretty warm when the fan comes on, but has never bothered me. I am not a tennis shoe kind of guy.

I run about 18 psi on my front tires. As stated earlier, I find the tire wear to be best at this pressure.

 

[NancysToy]

The SpyderPops air management stuff works very well for most of us. The Missing Air Damis not as useful in keeping the Spyder temps down in traffic, as it does on the road, but there is a definite difference for either type of riding. The Air Management System keeps the heat off the right leg if the fan runs, and that is especially nice in traffic. I recommend both. There are some other fine products, too

I check tire pressure whenever there is a major change in the weather. Although the Spyder tire sizes are much larger than a motorcycle, and they are less prone to weather-related changes, they do need periodic adjustment. If the weather is steady, I check every week or two...and always before a long trip. I will admit that the Spyder tires seldom need adjustent except for weather, though.

 

[SpyderWolf]

As others have stated, SpyderPops stuff is good for cooling while moving. ISCI has a new Fan Can that will force the hot air out and under the Spyder. I saw it in use at Biketoberfest, and the ryder wore a pair of Crocs the entire time with no heat issues on his feet. If the Spyder ever gets too hot it will let you know, and that doesn't happen at 6 bars.

Another thing you might want to look into is Ride-On for your tires. There is a link to their site on the home page, along with a code to get 10% off your order. Many of us have this in our tires and are very happy with the results, and the extra protection it provides.

 

[KipDM]

As others have stated, SpyderPops stuff is good for cooling while moving. ISCI has a new Fan Can that will force the hot air out and under the Spyder. I saw it in use at Biketoberfest, and the ryder wore a pair of Crocs the entire time with no heat issues on his feet. If the Spyder ever gets too hot it will let you know, and that doesn't happen at 6 bars.

Another thing you might want to look into is Ride-On for your tires. There is a link to their site on the home page, along with a code to get 10% off your order. Many of us have this in our tires and are very happy with the results, and the extra protection it provides.

gonna have to check out the Fan Can and compare cost with the "missing air dam".

plan on getting ride-on, but right now really trying to find what i need most since mods are about to become far between....

 

[SpyderWolf]

gonna have to check out the Fan Can and compare cost with the "missing air dam".

plan on getting ride-on, but right now really trying to find what i need most since mods are about to become far between....

The MAD and Fan Can serve two different purposes.

The MAD is much cheaper, and will help keep the engine cooler while running down the road. That is a major part of the equation. During my ryde yesterday it was 87 degrees and my temp gauge stayed at 3 bars while moving. Stopped at a light it would hit 4 or 5, but once moving it would soon be back to 3. Good stuff. :2thumbs:

The main purpose of the Fan Can is to combat a problem you likely haven't experienced yet, which is a very hot right foot from the radiator fan blowing the hot air on it. This can bolts on behind the fan and forces the hot air to vent underneath the Spyder instead of out the side port and onto your foot. It will work whether moving or sitting still in traffic.

SpyderPops also has some other pieces he makes to redirect the air flow, they are all a part of his Air Managment System. I have not had any experience with those parts, or spoken to anyone who has yet, so I cannot comment on how they work.

 

[buck1234]

On the tire pressure issue. You will have many opinions on which psi is the most effective.

Your riding style and personel feel for the road will give you the best balance of pressures.


There is one definative way of gaging if your pressure is right. A $5.00 Tread Depth Gage. It is marked in 1/32" increments and has been a mainstay of the tire industry,ever since the advent of pneumatic tires.

You can't see a 1/32" difference with your eyes across a tread but the tool will. That 1/32" could mean many hundreds of miles in useable rubber.

Too much air, Center wears out. Too little air, sides scuff off. Proper inflation, even reading across the whole tread. If it helps just think of your tires like ballons, essentialy thats what they are.

Buck1234 :2thumbs: :yes:

 

[boborgera]

On the tire pressure issue. You will have many opinions on which psi is the most effective.

Your riding style and personel feel for the road will give you the best balance of pressures.


There is one definative way of gaging if your pressure is right. A $5.00 Tread Depth Gage. It is marked in 1/32" increments and has been a mainstay of the tire industry,ever since the advent of pneumatic tires.

You can't see a 1/32" difference with your eyes across a tread but the tool will. That 1/32" could mean many hundreds of miles in useable rubber.

Too much air, Center wears out. Too little air, sides scuff off. Proper inflation, even reading across the whole tread. If it helps just think of your tires like ballons, essentialy thats what they are.

Buck1234 :2thumbs: :yes:

:dontknow:
The stock tires will always wear in the center first , You can run them at 13 psi or 30 psi they'll still defy the old rule of center tread wear.

 

[bone crusher]

:dontknow:
The stock tires will always wear in the center first , You can run them at 13 psi or 30 psi they'll still defy the old rule of center tread wear.

I disagree...many here were all up at one time about leaving the pressure in the front tires at 20 or even a little above...this is FAR above what BRP recommends...also, 30 in the rear is too high.

I think these people saw more tire wear in the center.

I leave mine now at 16/26 and I'm getting great tire wear and good performance.

More rubber on the road means better traction, unless you're in the snow, and I'm not riding in the snow...