Extreme Heat

[Odie]

I searched through the posts and could not find anything addressing this issue.
I just traded in my Harley for a ’09 SM5 and don’t regret it. However I’m having an issue with unbearable heat on the right foot. I easily put 20,000 miles a year on my bikes but with this heat I’d be lucky to put 200 miles a year on my SpYder.
It might be the radiator but BRP looks like they designed the front end to redirect the heat flow away from the foot. It could also be the header pipe directly under the right foot but I would think that during forward movement the wind flow would pull the heat away from the foot.
I’m thinking of wrapping the header pipe for heat relief but I really think the problem is coming from the radiator. Has anyone else dealt with this issue? I do wear riding boots, and have also tried other footwear to no avail. I know I live in Arizona, and ye it’s hot, but this issue is there even during night rides when the temps are in the 60’s. Any help would be appreciated. :ani29:

 

[docdoru]

welcome and :congrats: for your Sporty SM5 :thumbup:
Replace the Y gaskets.

 

[fastfraser]

welcome:congrats::spyder2: On.

One of the the few negatives is the heat on the right side. Some have put a switch on the fan to turn it on when the :spyder2: gets hot. There are numerous posts on this site about the heat build up. Also one of the members has a air dam that fits around the fan to direct air through the fan and not around . I have herd good things about this and have ordered one, waiting on its arrival.

 

[Odie]

welcome:congrats::spyder2: On.

One of the the few negatives is the heat on the right side. Some have put a switch on the fan to turn it on when the :spyder2: gets hot. There are numerous posts on this site about the heat build up. Also one of the members has a air dam that fits around the fan to direct air through the fan and not around . I have herd good things about this and have ordered one, waiting on its arrival.

What company did you order it from? I would like to check this product out. Thanks.:ani29:

p.s. I do love my spyder.

 

[Odie]

welcome and :congrats: for your Sporty SM5 :thumbup:
Replace the Y gaskets.

I am not familiar with 'Y' gaskets.

 

[bandwagon]

Air Dam

I would like some info as well on the purchasing of this air dam. Lately I feel like a roasted drum stick. Thanks

welcome:congrats::spyder2: On.

One of the the few negatives is the heat on the right side. Some have put a switch on the fan to turn it on when the :spyder2: gets hot. There are numerous posts on this site about the heat build up. Also one of the members has a air dam that fits around the fan to direct air through the fan and not around . I have herd good things about this and have ordered one, waiting on its arrival.

 

[effgjamis]

Iive this line a shot... I have the MAD and live in Ll. Works for me..

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18986

 

[Odie]

Iive this line a shot... I have the MAD and live in Ll. Works for me..

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18986

Thanks, Just emailed Harvey. Hope this helps my foot from burning off. Makes me not want to ride the SpYder.

 

[mrb]

Thanks, Just emailed Harvey. Hope this helps my foot from burning off. Makes me not want to ride the SpYder.

The "missing air dam" is a great idea but I cannot see that fixing the hot right foot issue at all.
I am extremely satisfied with my fix.
I found the problem pretty much eliminated by sticking a bit of thin plastic (notenbook cover) onto the scoop to close up the 25mm gap between the existing scoop and the body - as below. The hot air shooting through here seemed to be what was cooking my right foot. I did read about this on a US forum but cannot find the thread now. 2 screws and some silicone attached the red notebook cover, trimmed to suit.
No more hot right foot - none at all.

 

[jabba11]

You are correct the MAD really isnt for the right foot issue its just to make the bike more efficient at cooling period (whcih may help a little bit). I myself havent really had any issues with my right foot but if you have floorboards I can defintely see it being a problem and yes making that addition to the scoop should dfeintely help. The Y gaskets may be a probelm as well. Its really just a realitively flawed design but thathot air has to go somewhere. Some people say they take off the lower splash guards too and that helps but as I dont have the problme I havent done that. I didbuy the MAD and installed it and it does keep the bike cooler.

 

[Odie]

@ MRB and Jabba
I see what you guys are reffering to. There is a thin gap allowing air flow through. I might take off the lower splash gaurd and see what it looks like without it. I'm curious if it would make an eye sore. If not this might be the way to go. If that doesn't work then MRB's idea of blocking that flow of hot air would be a great idea. Thanks for the input guys. Keep more ideas flowing. :thumbup:

 

[boborgera]

I am not familiar with 'Y' gaskets.

welcome
The Y gaskets are at the spot where the upper exhaust pipes connect to the lower exhaust ''Y'' pipes, But at your low mileage they shouldn't be the heat source. That said if they did fail that would be a heat source, and also a noise source.

 

[Odie]

welcome
The Y gaskets are at the spot where the upper exhaust pipes connect to the lower exhaust ''Y'' pipes, But at your low mileage they shouldn't be the heat source. That said if they did fail that would be a heat source, and also a noise source.

I've had my fair share with exhaust leaks, noisy + loss of horses = sux.
I have a lot to learn about these SpYders. I got tired of wrenching on HD.

 

[horse171]

asbestos tape

Hi...had same problem....bought some asbestos muffler tape and covered both pipes. Helped a bit...bought it at napa...supposed to improve gas millage as well...my right side was unbearable.

 

[RAL]

Hi...had same problem....bought some asbestos muffler tape and covered both pipes. Helped a bit...bought it at napa...supposed to improve gas millage as well...my right side was unbearable.

? How would insulation on the exhaust pipe help mileage? Can not see how but hey you should try to learn something new everyday.

RAL

 

[Tom in NM]

a common problem

I searched through the posts and could not find anything addressing this issue.
I just traded in my Harley for a ’09 SM5 and don’t regret it. However I’m having an issue with unbearable heat on the right foot. I easily put 20,000 miles a year on my bikes but with this heat I’d be lucky to put 200 miles a year on my SpYder.
It might be the radiator but BRP looks like they designed the front end to redirect the heat flow away from the foot. It could also be the header pipe directly under the right foot but I would think that during forward movement the wind flow would pull the heat away from the foot.

Here is a link to fixing/replacing the Y gasket. WackyDan did a great job on this: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19691

Here is a link on what I did to divert most of the heat off my right foot: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19180

Out here in the Southwest, this is a problem you need to address. With summer temps in the 100s, the heat buildup is "foot-cookin-hot". The insulation I put in takes care of most of it. But if the sun is hitting my right foot - well, living out here, you know. I am probably going to "improve" the seal on the air-dam, but so far, just this little bit has worked fine since last summer.

As the summer takes hold, you will see a bunch of posts on this hot foot issue from the riders "back East" - as their temps get to triple digits.

I still have not taken off my splash guard - which should also help dissipate a bunch of the heat.

Tom

 

[wexgary]

had similar problem..live in Las Vegas, so 110 is normal, don't need any additional heat..local shop, has created a heat deflector that eliminates about 85% of problem...call Rick at Trike Toys in Las Vegas (Henderson), nv. (702)856-0308

 

[SpyderWolf]

? How would insulation on the exhaust pipe help mileage? Can not see how but hey you should try to learn something new everyday.

RAL

The manufacturers of the tape claim that by moving the exhaust gases toward the muffler faster it creates better running conditions. They state this may lead to more horsepower and increased mileage as well. I suppose the only real way to find out would be to try it. I am planning on wrapping ours in the near future as well.

 

[krb1945]

Be sure to use the goldwing exhuast gaskets for replacements. They work better and last longer. I also wrapped the headers all the way back to y-gasket clamps. That seems to keep the heat in the pipe by 400 to 600 degrees depending on the area on the pipe check. We have noticed a big difference in the temp in the saddle and around our legs. I used a 50' Long x 2" wide roll on each machine. Ken krb1945

 

[SpyderWolf]

I used a 50' Long x 2" wide roll on each machine.

Thanks Ken, that was one of the things I was still trying to figure out as well. :thumbup: