Hot Day's Ride

[Questions]

Saturday my wife and I decided to head off on a ride out to Sacramento to have lunch at Tex Wasabi's. We left Livermore around 10:00 with the ambient temperature around 82 degrees. Spyder was running great (we had update done on 8/7/09 and the GP sensor replaced on 8/14/09 after problems crept up following the update), no back-fires, popping, surging etc. Ambient temp crept up to around 98 degrees on our way up to Sacramento but the Spyder continued to run great.

Had a great lunch and about 90 minutes later decided to head back to Livermore. Got on the Spyder and started it up, ambient temp indicated 117 degrees. Pulled out on the road the Spyder sounded like it was in a Chinese New Year's Parade setting off firecrackers, popping and backfiring continually. Eventually the ambient temp settled down around 107 degrees but the Spyder continued to run pretty rough. Certainly didn't have the performance it exhibited earlier in the day but it was pretty damn hot.

About 30 minutes into the return ride we stopped to check for some directions as we we're going to ride back along the delta. Immediately we noticed gasoline vapor smells which we had not yet noticed on this particular ride (we have on others).

Figured out where we were headed and tried to fire up the Spyder. Normally, as you know, it fires up and gets going. This time it would turn over but not light. Several 15 second sessions on the starter still wouldn't start the bike so I finally took my hand off the throttle so I wouldn't give it any gas it may not want and hit the starter. It started to fire, let it idle for a few seconds and then rolled up the throttle and everything seemed fine. Ambient temp was hovering around 108 degrees.

For the rest of the 2 1/2 hour ride the temp never got below 104 degrees and the Spyder sounded awful and felt underpowered at times but we got home without any troubles.

During the ride some passenger grumpiness started to appear but given the heat over the distance that wasn't totally unexpected and we had to stop several times along the way to cool ourselves down and take in some water :chill:.

The Spyder never exhibited the starting difficulty again but the smell of gas vapors stayed around the bike and were still there when we parked for the day. We know not to overfill the tank so that wasn't the issue of smelling gas.

It was a long hot day but we agreed we would do the ride again albeit on a cooler day.

Keith

 

[SpyderGirl]

It is interesting that you made this post because I was also out on the Spyder yesterday. We came down from Pittsburg at about 9:30 and got into Livermore around 10:30. It was about 85 degrees when we left and was about 95 by the time we got into Livermore. Then we headed down Mines Rd to The Junction to pick up my Ninja that I had wrecked up there last weeked and it was about 98 degrees when we got there around noon. The entire ride down Mines was obnoxious from the popping and backfiring from my Hindle exhaust. I was in 2nd gear most of the ride and had to slow down a lot for all the turns, and the popping was the worst when I was doing that.

When we left The Junction the temp read 118, but finally settled at about 109 for the rest of the trip back up to downtown Livermore. I made the mistake of taking my riding gear off for the rest of the trip back up to Pittsburg. The temperature never dropped below 105 for the rest of the ride back and the popping and backfiring continued all the way home everytime I had to slow down a little then accelerate through a turn.

I am glad to say that I made it home, although I wasn't sure I was going to make it a few times. Like I had said, I had made the mistake of taking my riding gear off so my skin was exposed to the sun and the wind. I couldn't sweat and was quickly overheated. I won't be making that mistake again, that's for sure!

Anyway, the Spyder never once showed signs of overheating, even when I was stopped in traffic. It happily stayed between 4 and 5 bars all the way. I was very happy with the way she performed. I have about 15,500 miles on the odometer. At about 14,750 I had changed out the coolant for Engine Ice, changed the oil with pure synthetic, changed the plugs to Iridium plugs, and wrapped the exhaust, all of which I think has helped contribute to a lower operating temperature and a leaner fuel mixture -- hence the reason I was running fairly cool considering the ambient temperature and probably the reason for the popping sound from the exhaust.

Keith, you weren't the Silver Spyder that someone said they saw at The Junction yesterday were you???? Someone told me one was there about 45 minutes before we arrived.

Anyway, we'll be up for a group ride in October after we get back from Gatlinburg if you're up for it. I have a friend here with a yellow Spyder that lives in Concord. Let me know.

 

[Dudley]

so I finally took my hand off the throttle so I wouldn't give it any gas it may not want and hit the starter.


When starting, the throttle should never be engaged. The Spyder knows what it needs to start. With the heat at that level, we have similar symptoms...with the Spyder and our bodies.

 

[Don in E Texas]

I can understand the passenger not being over joyed on the hot trip home... cooler days are ahead!!:yes:
Our bike runs better now after 1,000 miles since the "update", but the bike will be going in for the 6,000 mile check up just after Labor Day. The bike appeared to run very poorly when the ambient temp. was high, same as you have found out. I've never had any fuel odors === watch out for that as you know there have been a few fires on our machines.

welcome

don

 

[Dochands]

My savior in Oklahoma: www.veskimo.com

Truly works great and lasts all day with the cooler option.

Plus it encourages you to keep your armored whatever on to keep in the cooling. :2thumbs:

 

[SpyderGirl]

My savior in Oklahoma: www.veskimo.com

Truly works great and lasts all day with the cooler option.

Plus it encourages you to keep your armored whatever on to keep in the cooling. :2thumbs:

WOW, that's cool.... no pun intended.

 

[Questions]

@SpyderGirl - Though we often ride up to the Junction we weren't there this week-end. Our Spyder is yellow. Would love to do a group ride sometime, just let us know. We too rode in shortsleeves yesterday, lathered with sun screen but as you say with the sun and the wind it was impossible to stay cool. You're right about the engine temp, we never really got above 5 bars and toggled betwen 3 - 4 at highway speeds.

@Dochands - will check out the cooling vest. That definitely would have helped.

Keith

 

[SpyderGirl]

Tinmen--
Never again will I ride in temps like that without all of my skin covered. I was lucky to have made it home. Anyway, yes, I would love to have a ride with you down to The Junction. Maybe this time I'll take Del Puerto there instead of Mines Rd. We'll be down for a ride in October if you're free. We could meet in Tracy off I-5 and head down together.

Glad to hear I wasn't the only crazy one to be out that day!

 

[Lowflyingowl]

Spydergirl,
When it gets real hot like that, try a plain white long-sleeve shirt, cut a bit large. I wear one over a T sometimes and it really cuts the heat. I'd never ride without coverage -- look like a lobster in no time!

Actually, I rode all the way back I 40/Rt 66 from tulsa on I don't think it ever went below 100 except near Flag. Always wore my black tech jacket over a C2 t. Once you get up to speed, the that isn't that bad. I did start out early on the last day, though, when it was 93 in Needles at 5:45 AM:gaah:

 

[planter]

We also took a ride on Saturday, left San Ramon at 1:00 p.m. headed to Pinole for a 'Blue Star Mom's' support event. It was pretty warm by then, and the Spyder was affected a bit, some sputter, popping, hesitation etc.
We returned to San Ramon around 4:00, temp read 104, and the symptoms increased considerably. 4-5 bars most of the way.
I made sure we let Spyder cool down before pulling into the garage, especially due to slight fuel smell.
I have emailed my dealer to find out if this has been mentioned by their other owners since recent steering update.
I will be sure to post any dealer comments.

 

[tjfischer]

Tinman;

That pretty much the same thing I have been experiencing the past couple of days with the heat down here in SCAL. However, where you got your Spyder to start, Mine would't start until it had cooled down. It was only 100 degrees here when mine said, "I''m too hot and need a break"

 

[Smylinacha]

My savior in Oklahoma: www.veskimo.com

Truly works great and lasts all day with the cooler option.

Plus it encourages you to keep your armored whatever on to keep in the cooling. :2thumbs:

Nice! Now if they can make it in a girly tank top and put the cooling gel where it would compliment a woman's figure then I'm sold!

Last time it was nasty hot I was in a ladies room and took my shirt off, soaked it in the sink in cold water and put it back on to ride home. Was pretty good, it didn't get dry until about an hour later.

 

[SpyderGirl]

Spydergirl,
When it gets real hot like that, try a plain white long-sleeve shirt, cut a bit large. I wear one over a T sometimes and it really cuts the heat. I'd never ride without coverage -- look like a lobster in no time!

Actually, I rode all the way back I 40/Rt 66 from tulsa on I don't think it ever went below 100 except near Flag. Always wore my black tech jacket over a C2 t. Once you get up to speed, the that isn't that bad. I did start out early on the last day, though, when it was 93 in Needles at 5:45 AM:gaah:

Yeah, I know... I didn't leave the house prepared for the hot weather. Normally I do have a white long sleeved shirt on that I wear underneath a mesh armor jacket on really hot days. I decided to wear my textiles that morning and they just don't breathe in the hot weather. Next time I'll be more prepared.

 

[SpyderGirl]

Nice! Now if they can make it in a girly tank top and put the cooling gel where it would compliment a woman's figure then I'm sold!

AMEN! Girls ride bikes too. Maybe it's their way of trying to get us naked on a motorcycle? :joke:

 

[QuadManiac]

Adding my high heat info - had update a month ago - completely stock engine:

Rode about 60 miles on Saturday. Temperature on the Spyder's dash display varied between 106 and 113. I did notice a very slight occasional exhaust pop under mild deceleration, only when still on throttle a bit but marginally slowing down. Nothing unusual during acceleration under load or deceleration at full coast. Tells me that the new stock fuel map is just a touch lean at that temperature under very light load.

Temperature reached 6 bars once waiting at a stoplight, but was between 4 and 5 the whole time while running.