Between the snow and ice that we've had here in my area of New Jersey, I haven't been riding lately. Now the damn salt and gravel is all over the roads, which makes riding a little more of a concern. The other day, I started my bike up (which I do at least once a week when I'm not able to ride). The air temperature was about 32 to 33 F. I let the bike idle for few minutes, gave a few quick throttle bursts to 5K or 6K rpm. Let it idle for another 3-5 minutes or so. I noticed the temperature climbing, so sat there and watched. It made it up to 241F before I shut it off. I have no doubt it would have kept climbing. I know that 230 to 235 is not that uncommon, but at no point did I ever see, hear, or feel the cooling fan come on. Over the summer on 90+ F days, even sitting in traffic I never really hit more than 225. A few questions: 1. Is it common enough for these fans to fail? Or should I be looking at some other cause (I did read some threads on thermostats, but my concern is that I don't think the fan ever came on). 2. Is the fan something I can replace? I'm slightly handy with a wrench, but not great. 3. If the fan is shot and needs to be replaced, should I consider installing a manual switch to be able to turn it on at any time? Any other suggestions or recommendations? Thanks in advance for your feedback.
The fan switch/relay is located at the top front of the left radiator. you can check the wires there. The fan is located in a plastic housing on the inside of that rad and is fairly easy to change once the rad is removed. Play with the switch and wiring a bit, check voltages and such. I have a good fan(without the blades) if you need one. Let me know.
One day on my 5th gen the temp kept climbing, I pulled over and watched it rise to 124C (255F) a little red indicator showed up under the temp display. At this point I am ready for melt down. Just before I shut it off, I checked the fan and it was STUCK, (must have jammed against the shroud), gave it a little nudge and it started. The temp came down quickly and never did it again. So...just make sure it spins freely and the fuse, etc is OK.
the most common failure is the thermo switch, not the fan. if you touch the wire to the switch to ground, the fan should run.... your choice is either to repace thermo switch at about $60 or spend $4 for a manual switch
Thanks for the info folks. Will hopefully be able to take a look at it this weekend. If I do need a fan drewl, I'll reach out. Thanks again for your info, everyone.
This will be my 3rd winter with my 6th gen. I live in Pittsburgh so it cold. Once they lay down salt and sand I give the bike a oil change and pull the battery and put it inside on a charger and dont start it till the spring. Starting it to just idel is doing nothing good for the bike. with no air flow it is normal for the temp to climb. pull the battery and let it sit till you want to ride it again.
+1 what he said. it does your motor no good to be started and not ridden. lots of cylinder/ring wear occurs during cold starts with extra-rich fuel mixture, and water condenses inside engine after it's shut off......
ditto this is one of those things that there is a bit of contention over, you will hear arguments going both ways, but the majority is definately of the mindset of not starting the bike just to idle, properly winterize it, and then leave it alone
