[EIDROEDYR]

I purchased an 03 7R with 1700 miles back in April. It came with a Yosh RS-3 bolt-on. I have noticed that the fan seems to come on more frequently than I think it should while riding. It will come on more frequently during my commute to work. However, the temp gauge doesn't move much.

There has been on occasion, the gauge will go up to about halfway when on those extremely hot days (90+). I have seen the gauge actually go higher (one time-almost overheating) while in stop and go traffic when I first bought the bike with the factory muffler installed. I have both the Yosh and the factory.

I am now at 4200 miles and not sure what to make of this fan issue. The coolant level is fine. I know the bike is running a little lean due to the Yosh with factory jetting (stage 1 jet kit will be my next purchase). However, I have not experienced any dead spots in the RPM range up to 10 or 11K in all gears (not sure if that is related or not).

By the way, I rode into work this morning as my commute is partial city/expressway. It was about 60+ (F) this morning. The fan did not come on at all during my commute which I didn't expect it to. There was hardly any movement to my gauge which is pretty typical. I park the bike, turn the key to off and immediately, the fan comes on.

Any suggestions? Is there a problem with the bike just running hot? Is that typicle of this model? I am not sure if there is a problem or not. It really didn't seem to make a difference with the factory muffler.

 

[R1up0n1]

its not the exhaust man...some bikes are just weird like that. My SV coolent fan almost NEVER comes on at all, my friends 04 R6 comes on once and a while, and my buddy's 02 Triumph TT600 that thing kicks on everytime he's riding, parking, hell I think it kicks on if he's asleep at night..its just got a mind of its own. You might want to check your thermostat, but like I said its just one of those things, and not the exhaust.

 

[EIDROEDYR]

Yeah, I've read on some specific 7R and kawi forums about some of the quirks with this bike. However, it's makes me a little uneasy hearing that fan going off so much. I keep getting this picture in my head, of riding around and all of a sudden my bike goes boom, blowing a gasket. My wife's 95 ZX-6E (my bike last season) is totally opposite in that the gauge/fan operates normally.

 

[JayMax]

I wonder about my fan as well, but it was explained to me that some bikes just run hotter than others. My '98 GSX - R600 will jump in the low 200's in a heartbeat, than drop to 170 on the highways. My fan always comes on when I return home and am putting the bike away.

From what I am told, that's pretty usual.

 

[larryg]

Sounds kinda normal for a 7R...

However, you mention that the coolant level is fine...is that in the reservoir or did you pull off the radiator cap (when cold) and check it there? If you did not check at the radiator cap, there is a slight chance you have an air pocket and that can make the fan cycle a little unusual. As long as the coolant level is fine and it doesn't overheat to the point of pushing coolant out of the reservoir, just ride it.

Larry

 

[Gas Man]

I can't believe nobody recommend that he change out the coolant!! :wtf:

Man....get that bike to my place or Twisty's and we can flush that bad boy out and run some Engine Ice thru it!

I just put engine ice in my 9R and it took 20 degrees off my riding temps!! NO CRAP! My bike use to run about 180-190 on the highway in 85 degree weather...hittin it hard...I'm talk fast! Now it runs between 160-170. Engine Ice is the only way to go!

Yes some bikes are more prone to run hotter. Triumphs are HORRIBLE! R6's are great...always seem to be cooler than everybody else.

You can also run a jumper and a switch on your fan. I've thought about it on my bike. Run a wire from the battery, thru a switch and to the fan. Leaving the stock wiring on there so if the thermostat turns it on, it can.

But seriously, make a thread on WOS about it and we'll help you out with it!

 

[EIDROEDYR]

I can't believe nobody recommend that he change out the coolant!! :wtf:

Man....get that bike to my place or Twisty's and we can flush that bad boy out and run some Engine Ice thru it!

I just put engine ice in my 9R and it took 20 degrees off my riding temps!! NO CRAP! My bike use to run about 180-190 on the highway in 85 degree weather...hittin it hard...I'm talk fast! Now it runs between 160-170. Engine Ice is the only way to go!

Yes some bikes are more prone to run hotter. Triumphs are HORRIBLE! R6's are great...always seem to be cooler than everybody else.

You can also run a jumper and a switch on your fan. I've thought about it on my bike. Run a wire from the battery, thru a switch and to the fan. Leaving the stock wiring on there so if the thermostat turns it on, it can.

But seriously, make a thread on WOS about it and we'll help you out with it!

I was going to run an inline switch but it comes on so often, I don't really see a need now. What's this engine ice you speak of? I've never heard of it, elaborate. Where can I find it?

 

[twisty]

It called summer my friend, dont worry around end of sept. the fan wont run as much.

 

[Gas Man]

It would be nice to see chev check in but he's having puter issues....

While Twisty is right, that your fan is going to run more often, and I'm not sure if you do alot of city riding. If so, this will be normal regardless.

However, Engine Ice, is a track approved coolant that many also use on the street. It is designed to lower the surface tention of your cooling system. It is a replacement fluid for standard anti-freeze. They claim it will lower a extreme racing condition temp up to 50 degrees. I have seen a solid 20 degree drop in my bike's running temps.

The reason I suggest it, is if you drop the running temps of your bike, you fan would come on less! make sense?

 

[larryg]

It would be nice to see chev check in but he's having puter issues....

While Twisty is right, that your fan is going to run more often, and I'm not sure if you do alot of city riding. If so, this will be normal regardless.

However, Engine Ice, is a track approved coolant that many also use on the street. It is designed to lower the surface tention of your cooling system. It is a replacement fluid for standard anti-freeze. They claim it will lower a extreme racing condition temp up to 50 degrees. I have seen a solid 20 degree drop in my bike's running temps.

The reason I suggest it, is if you drop the running temps of your bike, you fan would come on less! make sense?

Did you see your temperature drop on the street or on the track? Also, does your cooling system still have a thermostat in it?

Larry

 

[Mudpuppy]

Sell it. Buy a Yamaha. Problem solved. See you are in Detroit - you should look us up and come on a ride with us - just hit the WOS forum through my link below...

 

[EIDROEDYR]

Sell it. Buy a Yamaha. Problem solved. See you are in Detroit - you should look us up and come on a ride with us - just hit the WOS forum through my link below...

Mud, well, I was looking for an R6 but alot of people in the area seem to think their R6's are worth more thnn they are and my 7R came at a good price. I am a member of the WOS forum and will join you guys on a ride in due time. For now, I've been exploring twisty roads solo as I really never had the chance to do so last season. I

In any event, I have other issues to fix now. They are cosmetic related as my 7R decided to fall over (sitting on the kickstand or so I thought) this morning in my driveway before work :yikes: . So, new clutch lever needs ordering, some bolts and brackets, fairing (one peice upper/lower) and new paint job this winter.

 

[Gas Man]

That is on the street Larry... and I believe it has it a thermostat... you should be able to confirm that.

Ryd... get your solo riding in and when you are ready to ride with a group, you know where to find WOS. I look forward to riding with you soon.

As far as the cosmetic, just fix the clutch lever and forget the other stuff. It will give it character!

 

[EIDROEDYR]

That is on the street Larry... and I believe it has it a thermostat... you should be able to confirm that.

Ryd... get your solo riding in and when you are ready to ride with a group, you know where to find WOS. I look forward to riding with you soon.

As far as the cosmetic, just fix the clutch lever and forget the other stuff. It will give it character!

Oh, by no means will the bike be sitting waiting for things to get fixed. In fact, I went home for lunch and rode her back. I'll find time to make repairs in between riding for sure. In regard to the solo riding, it allows me to work on proper technique when getting into the more aggresive riding of the sport. I've ridden with a group this season and typically ride with three other guys (my two cousins and a friend) but I found from our last ride, that their pace is slower than I like on twisty roads. I am not saying that I want to go balls out but I grew tired of backing off due to the person in front of me (I was the tail). That'll be different once I learn the particular roads we were on (Ann Arbor area).

 

[bumblebee]

Capt Morgan has a R-6 for sale, and he has done some mods to it...

 

[larryg]

That is on the street Larry... and I believe it has it a thermostat... you should be able to confirm that.

While I understand how engine ice works, I don't get how it makes a difference on a street bike with an operational thermostat. The purpose of the thermostat is to allow coolant to flow through the radiator once it reaches a certain operating temperature. If your thermostat is working properly, wouldn't the engine still run at the same operating temperature? I can see that it would take more output from the engine to heat the coolant to the point the thermostat opens, but it should still open at the same temperature.

Engine Ice helps heat transfer to the fluid by breaking down the surface tension of the fluid. That process should work in both directions meaning it transfers heat to radiator better as well, thus making the entire system more efficient. Even if it tranfers heat into the thermostat more efficiently, the thermostat should still operate at its given temperature range.

On a race bike, it is not uncommon to remove the thermostat to improve total flow through the cooling system. In this case, I can see where a product like Engine Ice is effective because there is no control (thermostat). Therefore, improved heat transfer will result in cooler operating temperatures.

I must be missing something.

Larry

 

[Gas Man]

I follow your ideas Larry. But the temp gauge doesn't lie... it's ran cooler sense I changed it.

Ryde... you should come out with WOS. It will be the perfect mix of what you're looking for. We have some that go balls out and others that lay back. You'd fit right in...

 

[larryg]

I follow your ideas Larry. But the temp gauge doesn't lie... it's ran cooler sense I changed it.

I'm not questioning that...I just want to know what I am missing. The only thing I can think of is if both running temps (before and after) are above the temp the thermostat opens. In fact, that seems to make a lot of sense...hmmm.

Larry

 

[Gas Man]

I was thinking about this today while riding... and was thinking the same thing. If my thermostat opens at say 160...that would make sense...

Larry, you work at a Kaw dealer...could you tell me?

 

[larryg]

I was thinking about this today while riding... and was thinking the same thing. If my thermostat opens at say 160...that would make sense...

Larry, you work at a Kaw dealer...could you tell me?

According to the manual...on US and Canadian models the thermostat opens between 136-144 F and the rest of the world has it open from 176-183 F. So if you are seeing reduced temps above 144, that does make sense.

Larry