How to confirm I've got bad Y gaskets on my RS?

[daveinva]

Okay, I'm worried.

I've been on hot bikes before, I know they all get hot to a certain degree. I also rode an RT for a weekend in my trike class, and felt I had a good baseline for the heat-- wasn't bad at all, IIRC.

Rode my RS for the first time today, about 35 miles worth. Ambient outside was about 75 or so. I was geared up in my heavy mesh pants and boots, both of which offer exceptional heat protection. Spyder never got above 5 bars (well, maybe once or twice, I didn't keep that close track, but 5 was the highest I'm definitely sure of).

I noticed the radiator heat a few times in stop-and-go. Ahhh, that's pleasant stuff, I can tell already. Still, tolerable with my gear.

Alas, the actual side panels, right up above my knees and thighs? Those were Really. Dang. Hot. I wasn't on the bike but a couple of hours, and both my left and right thighs were burning up at the end there, even after some good 45 mph+ riding that should have cooled things off a bit.

So, my questions:
1. I don't recall the RT being anywhere near that hot. Is there a substantial difference in the engine heat between models, or should it be similar?

2. If it's normal for the RS to be hotter, is there anything I can do to alleviate it? Exhaust wrapping? Foam on the inside? Thigh pads on the outside?

3. If it's NOT normal, and they're likely the gaskets, how can I tell without pulling them? I'll certainly get the better gaskets when the time comes (I hear the Goldwing gaskets are what I'd want, right?), but other than tearing the whole thing down preemptively, what can I do to give me enough info to make a rudimentary diagnosis?

Thanks for the help... safe riding!

 

[Lamonster]

The RS leaks a lot more heat than the RT. That's the first thing I notice when I swap rides.

 

[daveinva]

The RS leaks a lot more heat than the RT. That's the first thing I notice when I swap rides.

Okay, that at least answers that much, thanks.

I think I'll put up with it through the break-in at least, see if I can tolerate it. I admit, it was just really surprising how hot it got today, and I was not being a hooligan with it (promise!).

 

[Firefly]

Not really a fair comparison between the RT and the RS.....

If you have 5,000 miles or more on the RS --- your gaskets could be shot for sure.

Replace with the Honda ones and you'll be set for a long time.... but the Spyder still puts out a fair amount of heat....

 

[SpyderWolf]

I have both of my exhaust headers wrapped and the Honda gaskets in place and the heat is not really an issue for me anymore, it is bearable like on most other bikes.

Since you haven't even reached the break in mileage point yet, you may want to stop by your dealer and let them see if it feels abnormally hot. A better option would be for an RS owner close to you to get together with you and do a comparison.

When the Y gaskets go the Spyder will become quite a bit louder as well. Most of the time people don't notice it on their own Spyder because it happens gradually, but someone else can usually pick up on it. In fact, I believe it is time to change my wife's gaskets as I can tell her Spyder is louder now than it used to be. I need to ask her about the heat situation as well.

Best of luck getting it sorted out.

 

[daveinva]

Thanks for all the advice. I rode it again this morning for about 30 miles, didn't seem as bad, so I'll likely tough it out until the 600 mile service and get an opinion then.

Of course, I wish I had gotten this earlier when it was cooler out, NOT looking forward to DC in August!)

 

[Campverdefela]

One word...Spyderpops
THE "AIR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM" - GS/RS SPYDERS ONLY

​

 

[NancysToy]

If your bike is brand new, it's highly unlikely that there is a problem with the exhaust gaskets......

It's been my experience that the 'perceived heat' on a Spyder is higher than other bikes because of the way the body panels tend to restrict heat escape....

:agree:

 

[docdoru]

... and I was not being a hooligan with it (promise!).

:roflblack:
Left leg: bad high Y gasket
Right leg: bad low Y gasket
Solutions: http://www.spyderpops.com/ + Honda Y gaskets (less $, twice the mileage):

 

[Firefly]

Since you haven't even reached the break in mileage point yet, you may want to stop by your dealer and let them see if it feels abnormally hot. A better option would be for an RS owner close to you to get together with you and do a comparison.

Good idea---- but is this a new RS with low miles on it? I see this was his first time riding his RS --- not sure if it was bought new or what year it is?

Some of the SpyderPops options might help him----as well as (eventually) switching to the Honda Gaskets.

 

[daveinva]

Good idea---- but is this a new RS with low miles on it? I see this was his first time riding his RS --- not sure if it was bought new or what year it is?

Some of the SpyderPops options might help him----as well as (eventually) switching to the Honda Gaskets.

It's 2010 new, got it last week with 0.8 miles on the odometer.

Like I said above, I had a trike class on an RT, so that was my baseline going in with the RS. As I've learned in this thread, the RS puts off more heat than the RT (ain't that the truth), so I'm just adjusting my expectations.

RE: Spyderpops... how much of a difference would that stuff make for the saddle heat? Looking at all the stuff, it seems to me to be all aimed at improving the radiator fan / right boot heat. Heck, I think my fan's kicked on twice in a hundred miles, it's hot but it wasn't the end of the world.

It's my burnin' thighs in the saddle that are giving me all my joy right now :gaah:

 

[Firefly]

It's 2010 new, got it last week with 0.8 miles on the odometer.

Like I said above, I had a trike class on an RT, so that was my baseline going in with the RS. As I've learned in this thread, the RS puts off more heat than the RT (ain't that the truth), so I'm just adjusting my expectations.

RE: Spyderpops... how much of a difference would that stuff make for the saddle heat? Looking at all the stuff, it seems to me to be all aimed at improving the radiator fan / right boot heat. Heck, I think my fan's kicked on twice in a hundred miles, it's hot but it wasn't the end of the world.

It's my burnin' thighs in the saddle that are giving me all my joy right now :gaah:

Fan only kicks on after 5 bars-- usually only happens in stop and go traffic. When you have riding air-flow everything is good.

I have some of the SpyderPops items and it does seem to help while in motion--- but I don't think there's any kits to do much while not moving.

Never noticed very much thigh heat... what kind of temps are you riding in?

 

[daveinva]

Never noticed very much thigh heat... what kind of temps are you riding in?

It wasn't too hot-- about 80 this weekend. I never got above 5 bars, but after about 20 minutes I couldn't stop noticing the heat even through the insulated pants, and after 40 minutes I took to riding spread eagle on the pegs at highway speed to get relief.

Like I said, I'm not sure it's unusual as this was my first weekend tooling around on the RS, it's probably just a quirk that I need to get used to. I'll see how it behaves over the next few weeks, and I'll ask my dealer about it when I bring it in for the first service.