I'm Back
Well, I just got back a little while ago. I had picked up my RT, after the recall, this past Friday, so today was a good test. I had previously wrapped both headers and the cat bypass pipe, removed the cat, and put reflective heat tape in strategic places under the Tupperware, which stopped fuel from boiling, and stopped the associated vapor smell. But when the weather got very hot, like it was today, the bike still got hot, especially at slow speeds, and was still somewhat uncomfortable to ride.
Took a long ride today - almost two hours - at both highway and slow speeds. OAT on the display read 105°, so it was actually probably around 100° outside. Stopped and checked panels several times throughout the ride and when I got back home. I purposefully wore light weight socks and cotton pants (instead of genes), so I could feel the heat. Here are my findings...
1. Nothing on my body got hot except my arms - and that was from the sun. I actually enjoyed the whole ride.
2. Right foot heat was NOTICEBLY less. Only time I really noticed it was when I put my right foot up on the highway peg, which placed my ankle immediately next to the upper radiator vent.
3. Water temp gage never got above half way, as others have reported.
4. Only one panel got hot. All others were always cool to the touch, including the inside of the glove box, around the seat, seat latch, both black lateral panels (under the seat covering the fuel tank), both forward side panels, and the upper LH side panel right next to the long header pipe from the front cylinder. All those stayed cool. The only panel that felt hot to the touch was the upper RH side panel, and I don't know why that would be. However, NO panels were hot enough to ever burn my upper legs, even at slow speeds or when I hugged them to the sides of the bike on tight turns.
I am
VERY happy with the results of the recall. BRP
definitely got it right. :thumbup: I am now ready for long summertime rides.