cardinalflyer19
moped
I just got my 08 bonnie and correct me if I'm wrong, but it is only air cooled?..All my other bikes (only 2) were liquid/air cooled....so does this mean in traffic this summer she will be overheating?
Only air-cooled?
- Thread starter cardinalflyer19
- Start date
retrorider
Scooter
I bought the NewBonneville oil temperature gauge for my Bonnie because I live in the DC area where it often gets to 95 in the summer. I would sit in traffic and imagine that my bike was melting because I certainly was with my helmet on and the sun beating down. But after I got the gauge, I noticed that it never got above 250 no matter how long the bike stood still with the engine running. Since I've heard that oil breaks down at 300, I realized that the bike just isn't going to get to the point where there is any problem. That big oil cooler must be the reason. In any event, there is nothing to worry about regarding the Bonnie in summer. Just ride it and enjoy.
TC_Dick
TT Racer
Ugh.. I had it up to 250 a couple times.. I figured that was time to pull off and let the bike cool..
Good thing it wasn't on the side of the freeway in LA.
Hmmmmm...Not to be rude...but you're not a "Questions" type of guy before you buy something...
And you'll likely need to stop and take a break before your Bonnie will...just keep'er moving...and try not to ride the clutch in high temps...shitty traffic...You'll be fine!
Welcome!
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KingBear
Hooligan
Yeah, I only rode my Bonnie around the beltway during rush hour once and that was quite enough. It got so hot between Tyson's and MacArthur I thought the asphalt under me was going to turn to goo. Sorta takes the fun outa riding, doesn't it!
cardinalflyer19
moped
Yeah I got it from Commonwealth, those guys seem pretty all-right..hope to have some pics soon, are you originally from tha ville?
retrorider
Scooter
For a while, I started turning off the motor at stoplights or at long waits in traffic to prevent it (I thought) from overheating. Then someone on the boards warned me about the dangers of "heat soak" and how the engine and the oil would get hotter if it stopped flowing through the radiator and drained back into the sump. I found he was right after I got the temperature gauge. The oil would not get hotter while the bike was stopped and the engine was running. It would just stay at the same temperature, usually about 225 on a really hot day. The heat rising from the engine certainly made me more uncomfortable, but the bike seemed to be just fine. I haven't been in the desert and I don't bother to ride around DC when it's above 95 because the rush of air just makes you hotter, but for the riding I do, I don't worry anymore about overheating.
sweatmachine
moped
long story short, you will overheat before the bike will.
around here in the summer, with 100+ temps and 100% humidity...some days are no good for riding. hell, I think I ride more in the "winter."
around here in the summer, with 100+ temps and 100% humidity...some days are no good for riding. hell, I think I ride more in the "winter."
innominate
Street Tracker
yeah, gotta love the winters here. freakin mid 80's the last few days lol
Thruxtonian
Street Tracker
Dave, those are slick. Never seen that setup before.
Dave
Street Tracker
Thanks. I like how they clear up the front of the motor and give an overall cleaner look.
Iceseven
750cc
Yeah Cardinal, originally from Kentucky. Whenever I am in town I pop by Commonwealth and buy a shirt or something, seem like good guys and they are heavily into 675 racing.
Enjoy your new bike!
Ice
Texas94fs
Hooligan
I've ridden my thrux in standstill 102 degree 100% humidity houston rush hour traffic. No problem at all, thing still runs like a top. Don't need to worry much about over heating with that cooler up front, just keep it moving when you can. Or avoid traffic altogether so you don't feel like you are cruising through hell.