How hot is too hot for you or spydee?

[MidLifeCrisis]

Before I get flamed, our plans were to avoid the Phoenix heat and return after dark, but as plans usually go, things changed...

The temps were above 113 at about 4PM when we got into the Phoenix area The dash was reading 118. We do have a FanCan installed and I have noticed the air on the back of my leg hotter than before, but my right foot was way cooler and the back of my leg never got all that uncomfortable. Yesterday was different I had thicker jeans than my wife was wearing and I definitely could tell things were heating up (Full gear, except riding pants. ATGATT conversations for another time). The air coming off the bottom of the bike was really hot. I did notice we were reading six bars on the temp gauge a couple of times and had to back off on the throttle a bit (No limp mode, but I was concerned). We were going 75+ and had some hills to contend with too. I think the combination of the temps and pushing the bike hard was enough to get things pretty roasty. My wife complained that her right leg was getting way too hot and she was starting to feel claustrophobic and wanted to stop. We stopped at a gas station and I let the engine idle for a about 30 seconds or so and the temp gauge read 5 bars, before shutting her off. I noticed the gas fumes were super hot too and things all around, including my melon were just plain hot.

Once we based up rehydrated and my wife dumped the rest of the water on her leg, we turned the key to the on position and bam! 7 bars and limp mode! Not exactly sure how we got up there from 5 bars, but I figure the tupperware, outside temps and all other things combined, just kept the heat trapped in and the sensor read a high reading. We waited 20 minutes and everything was fine.

I haven't noticed any issues with the FanCan install and rode plenty in the 106 to 110 range, but yesterday was different Not sure if the FanCan was a contributor. Seem to recall reading others have hit high heat numbers without such a mod. I can honestly say that I wouldn't have been there without the FanCan, so I wouldn't have known. I couldn't tolerate riding in any temps above the mid 90s prior, due to smoldering foot. So, I got to thinking...

At what temp does one surpass the point of you're an idiot for even attempting to ride?

At what temp has anyone else discovered Spydee to be unhappy and protest?

Is there a way to keep the fan running longer after the engine is shut off? Seems it should keep running, until the bike hits the optimum temp, not a set time.

Is there any way to get more air to the front of the engine, beside removing all tupperware? Anyone notice removing the air deflectors to help push more air down the openings and help cool the engine as well as yourselves. I've read how the rider gets more air and did remove mine at one point, but I didn't notice a change. Maybe worth keeping them off, if Spydee likes it.:dontknow:

At what temp does one surpass the point of you're an idiot for even attempting to ride? Did I ask this already?

 

[Jeriatric]

Before I get flamed, our plans were to avoid the Phoenix heat and return after dark, but as plans usually go, things changed...

The temps were above 113 at about 4PM when we got into the Phoenix area The dash was reading 118. We do have a FanCan installed and I have noticed the air on the back of my leg hotter than before, but my right foot was way cooler and the back of my leg never got all that uncomfortable. Yesterday was different I had thicker jeans than my wife was wearing and I definitely could tell things were heating up (Full gear, except riding pants. ATGATT conversations for another time). The air coming off the bottom of the bike was really hot. I did notice we were reading six bars on the temp gauge a couple of times and had to back off on the throttle a bit (No limp mode, but I was concerned). We were going 75+ and had some hills to contend with too. I think the combination of the temps and pushing the bike hard was enough to get things pretty roasty. My wife complained that her right leg was getting way too hot and she was starting to feel claustrophobic and wanted to stop. We stopped at a gas station and I let the engine idle for a about 30 seconds or so and the temp gauge read 5 bars, before shutting her off. I noticed the gas fumes were super hot too and things all around, including my melon were just plain hot.

Once we based up rehydrated and my wife dumped the rest of the water on her leg, we turned the key to the on position and bam! 7 bars and limp mode! Not exactly sure how we got up there from 5 bars, but I figure the tupperware, outside temps and all other things combined, just kept the heat trapped in and the sensor read a high reading. We waited 20 minutes and everything was fine.

I haven't noticed any issues with the FanCan install and rode plenty in the 106 to 110 range, but yesterday was different Not sure if the FanCan was a contributor. Seem to recall reading others have hit high heat numbers without such a mod. I can honestly say that I wouldn't have been there without the FanCan, so I wouldn't have known. I couldn't tolerate riding in any temps above the mid 90s prior, due to smoldering foot. So, I got to thinking...

At what temp does one surpass the point of you're an idiot for even attempting to ride?

At what temp has anyone else discovered Spydee to be unhappy and protest?

Is there a way to keep the fan running longer after the engine is shut off? Seems it should keep running, until the bike hits the optimum temp, not a set time.

Is there any way to get more air to the front of the engine, beside removing all tupperware? Anyone notice removing the air deflectors to help push more air down the openings and help cool the engine as well as yourselves. I've read how the rider gets more air and did remove mine at one point, but I didn't notice a change. Maybe worth keeping them off, if Spydee likes it.:dontknow:

At what temp does one surpass the point of you're an idiot for even attempting to ride? Did I ask this already?

Like you said in your excellent narrative - a day in the desert. Most of us who live in it can handle the heat up to a certain point. The problem as I see it is not what we can handle in regards to ambient temperature but, how much HEAT the Spyder produces in addition to that, and how that factors into the equation is extremely relevant. Even if we want to head toward a cooler riding environment we have to subject ourselves to excessive heat just to get there - day or night.

Thanks for a great write up.

Stay cool :roflblack:
Jer

 

[Bob Denman]

I'll ride until the road is melting in front of me... But I've got no common sense at all anyway!:shocked:
Good Luck and Stay Cool(ish)! :thumbup:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I suppose there is a point when it is so hot it stops being fun to ride but I haven't hit that yet. I will say that lately the car has been the transportation of choice but if you called and said "let's ride" I'd be there

 

[ARtraveler]

Great write up. I am sure we will have others responding with their experiences in the high heat.

No issues to write about here so far. We have only reached 70+ about 3 times so far this season.

 

[Bob Denman]

70? Above or below zero?? :shocked: :roflblack:

 

[Firefly]

Before I get flamed, our plans were to avoid the Phoenix heat and return after dark, but as plans usually go, things changed...

The temps were above 113 at about 4PM when we got into the Phoenix area The dash was reading 118. We do have a FanCan installed and I have noticed the air on the back of my leg hotter than before, but my right foot was way cooler and the back of my leg never got all that uncomfortable. Yesterday was different I had thicker jeans than my wife was wearing and I definitely could tell things were heating up (Full gear, except riding pants. ATGATT conversations for another time). The air coming off the bottom of the bike was really hot. I did notice we were reading six bars on the temp gauge a couple of times and had to back off on the throttle a bit (No limp mode, but I was concerned). We were going 75+ and had some hills to contend with too. I think the combination of the temps and pushing the bike hard was enough to get things pretty roasty. My wife complained that her right leg was getting way too hot and she was starting to feel claustrophobic and wanted to stop. We stopped at a gas station and I let the engine idle for a about 30 seconds or so and the temp gauge read 5 bars, before shutting her off. I noticed the gas fumes were super hot too and things all around, including my melon were just plain hot.

Once we based up rehydrated and my wife dumped the rest of the water on her leg, we turned the key to the on position and bam! 7 bars and limp mode! Not exactly sure how we got up there from 5 bars, but I figure the tupperware, outside temps and all other things combined, just kept the heat trapped in and the sensor read a high reading. We waited 20 minutes and everything was fine.

I haven't noticed any issues with the FanCan install and rode plenty in the 106 to 110 range, but yesterday was different Not sure if the FanCan was a contributor. Seem to recall reading others have hit high heat numbers without such a mod. I can honestly say that I wouldn't have been there without the FanCan, so I wouldn't have known. I couldn't tolerate riding in any temps above the mid 90s prior, due to smoldering foot. So, I got to thinking...

At what temp does one surpass the point of you're an idiot for even attempting to ride?

At what temp has anyone else discovered Spydee to be unhappy and protest?

Is there a way to keep the fan running longer after the engine is shut off? Seems it should keep running, until the bike hits the optimum temp, not a set time.

Is there any way to get more air to the front of the engine, beside removing all tupperware? Anyone notice removing the air deflectors to help push more air down the openings and help cool the engine as well as yourselves. I've read how the rider gets more air and did remove mine at one point, but I didn't notice a change. Maybe worth keeping them off, if Spydee likes it.:dontknow:

At what temp does one surpass the point of you're an idiot for even attempting to ride? Did I ask this already?

I wouldn't sweat (pun intended) 6 bars at all. The Spyder can handle the heat-- and when it has had too much it will go into limp mode on you. I had this happen when riding in Kansas out of Durango... was 109 degrees and I was hammering it trying to get my speed to match my temp.....nojoke. She wouldn't do it in that heat---- 106 mph was the best I could get even though earlier in the day I hit 119 when it was cooler. Bike thru a limp mode but never made me slow down.... I just cruised back down at 80 mph for awhile and she cooled right back down.

The Spyder won't cool well when sitting... movement is the best.... and running the fan after turning the bike off isn't going to do anything but cool the water in the radiator--- you need it circulating in the engine to actually cool it.

Be more concerned with your own self overheating..... trust me--- not fun. Water water and more water---- but also make sure and get electrolytes..... and salt is a good idea too ! Even with all that I overheated... got chills in 109 degree weather. Sometimes the body is just telling you ENOUGH! Listen to it!

I really wouldn't worry much about overheating the Spyder--- it has safety features built in to protect it-- and I'm sure they programmed the top heat and limp mode on the conservative side... just like they do with rev limiters.....

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: The bike will take way more than we can... :shocked:

 

[mxz600]

I'm not sure how much heat the Spyder can handle, but me, not so much.

Everybody's tolerance is different for extreme heat and cold. I work and live in air conditioning, have for many years. My body is just not able to handle heat anymore and gets worse the older I get.

On the 4th of July my brother-in-law wanted to go to a car show. We took the bikes and were gone for about 4 1/2 hours in 104 degree heat, the Spyder was running at 6 bars on occasion. After returning home I had to do the grilling for dinner and needless to say I wasn't doing well after that. We had a lot of good food and I could barely eat.

I do not know how people survive living in the southwest.

This has nothing to do with the subject in this thread but I would like to add.... On one of my snowmobile trips it was very cold. One of the days we were out the temperature never got over 5 degrees below zero. The wind chill at 70 mph in -5 degree air temp is about -42. That wasn't much fun either.

 

[shelbydave]

Spyder can endure much more heat than I can... I'm getting old and fat We can go out in the heat, have a ton of fun, but only for a couple hours. After that I am totally wore out!!! I've never suffered heat exhaustion, but sometimes I wonder after getting back. We always carry a cooler full of water, but sometimes I wonder if I'm overdoing it while riding.
Of course this is all so new to both of us that it could be an adrenalin rush, and the "withdrawal" afterward...

 

[Dib52]

125 degrees on the dash got me a check engine light, but that was after puttering around on a concrete parking lot during a MSF course for 4 hrs. Outside temp was 104 and the heat index was 110. Never limped, just check engine(suspected high intake air temp), but after some air flow riding home at speed, light disappeared.

 

[Flight Risk]

Spyder can endure much more heat than I can... I'm getting old and fat We can go out in the heat, have a ton of fun, but only for a couple hours. After that I am totally wore out!!! I've never suffered heat exhaustion, but sometimes I wonder after getting back. We always carry a cooler full of water, but sometimes I wonder if I'm overdoing it while riding.
Of course this is all so new to both of us that it could be an adrenalin rush, and the "withdrawal" afterward...

I have lived in Dallas all my life. Heat is just the way it is here. I NEVER had a problem until a few weeks ago........LONG ride with the group and BAM!!! heat exhaustion in a major way. Could not believe it happened to me......but it did and I never want that again. The temp gauge on the bike said 117 at one point although I know the temperature wasn't that bad. It was; however, in the triple digits and I rode in a full face helmet. Long story short I invested in a First Responders vest and that really helped. It was still hot but anything to take the edge off. I now douse my pants in water also. Sad part.......we haven't even begun to see the real heat........:gaah:

 

[SpyderLady]

I too rode in triple digits coming back from durango and was close to overheating. We stopped, I took in lots of water, put long sleeves and jeans on, got my cooling vest out, wet her down and put on under the long sleeves. By the time we next stopped I was much better. Definitely am a believer in cooling vests. Bought on Amazon for right at $40. Best investment I have made. I also keep ice and water on bike so I am constantly drinking. We drove in 107-109 for more than 10 hrs.

I also have Ram air on bike getting more air to engine and I also have Baker Air Wings for me. I have not had any issues with bike.

 

[Flight Risk]

I too rode in triple digits coming back from durango and was close to overheating. We stopped, I took in lots of water, put long sleeves and jeans on, got my cooling vest out, wet her down and put on under the long sleeves. By the time we next stopped I was much better. Definitely am a believer in cooling vests. Bought on Amazon for right at $40. Best investment I have made. I also keep ice and water on bike so I am constantly drinking. We drove in 107-109 for more than 10 hrs.

I also have Ram air on bike getting more air to engine and I also have Baker Air Wings for me. I have not had any issues with bike.

The first responder vest was $340.00!!!! BUT well worth it. I did the ice bit, hydrated ofter but I did overheat myself the day before getting my bike all pretty for the next day's ride. I had on a long sleeve "fishing shirt" that wicked. I just think I did somethings "basawkards", like drank gatorade instead of water, etc. I honestly thought I was going to die. Took two weeks to feel right. Last ride was much better thanks to doing things properly. I do need to look into the heat deflectors......my right foot is always on fire. If I rest my heels on the upturned part of the Seal Floorboards my feet and legs get torched. Something needs to change......rather a stupid design. Of course it is great in the winter!!! All 30 days of it

 

[NancysToy]

Anytime it is really, really hot, and you shut off the Spyder for a short while, you risk a limp mode on the restart. The water isn't circulating when the engine is off, and the heat under the bodywork doesn't allow the engine to dissipate heat readily, so the temp goes up and you get an overheated Spyder upon the restart. Lots of vehicles will do this, but the low water volume of the Spyder and other small engines makes them more susceptible to the problem. It happened to me a couple of times on the way home from Durango.

If it happens to you, let the Spyder idle for a couple of minutes. The temp gauge should come down out of the red, and the limp mode should clear. A check engine light might remain. Once the temperature is down to six bars/marks or below, go ahead and shut off the Spyder briefly (until the display shuts down) to reset the fault, and then restart. Everything should be fine from there on. Don't worry about the temperature gauge unless the fan fails to run (check your relay and fuse) or the Spyder hits limp mode from the heat while moving.

 

[Tierhog]

95 degrees but I'm ATGATT so.. Tad warmer. California sun is hot it's 100 plus on Tarmac if 90 or above.

 

[Bob Denman]

I've only seen 105 on the thermometer, so I guess that I've been lucky... pps:

 

[summerdawn]

I recently rode about 2 hours in 108/109 temps. The Spyder was fine. I was not. That was too hot for me.

 

[vampyregirl]

I don't care to ride when the air hitting you feels like it came out of a hair dryer!! When we had those 100 degree temps last week, I did not ride.

For me, depends on the humidity as well. I have asthma, and that makes a difference. The next 2 days are supposed to be in the high 80's here. I should be ok. Mid 90's.... pass!!!

 

[eagle]

hot ridding

i also went through nw Kansas on my way home from Durango. Spyder showed a high of 114 outside temp while on the road. the highest amount of heat bars i seen was 5. it was very hot, Spyder put out lots of extra heat, but what else could one expect in temps like that. i will say my Spydeee did perfect, better than me, but enjoyed the experience.