coolant temperatures in Arizona

I just purchased a used "07 VFR with 3700 miles on it. I love the bike so far. My question regards coolant temperatures on the VFR. I live in the Phoenix area and have noticed the coolant temperatures to be higher than on my other two bikes. I was riding yesterday morning at around 0700 to 0800 hrs and the ambient temperature was 93F. The coolant temperature fluctuated between 210 to 220F at freeway speeds. I have read the owners manual and it says the coolant temperature only becomes critical at 251F. By comparison, my Yamaha R6, ridden an hour earlier registered 167-177F for coolant temperature. The day before, my Ducati 1098 registered a cool 167F coolant temperature at 98F ambient air temperature. Does the VFR have a problem? The owner's manual scheduled maintenance section advised to change the coolant every three years. The previous owner bought an extended warranty and maintenance plan, which I have transferred. I feel comfortable as long as everything is still under warranty. Is it the environment I ride in? Would engine ice be the solution? Has anyone tried that? Yesterday's temp in Phoenix was 112F!!

 

These motors do run hot. My 07 will run between 200-210 in the conditions you describe, and will heat up VERY QUICKLY at a stop, even of short duration. I've had mine for almost two years; the temp doesn't appear to be a problem. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks, MrDen. I thought I might have a problem, but I guess not. What about engine ice or do you recommend stickly with OEM coolant and at least changing it out every three years?

 

Mr Den and I have the same bike. '07. I live in the 'Tauke. I swapped out the coolant with water wetter. I also swapped out the fan for one the blows from inside out. If you search this site, there are acouple of threads that describe the fan replacement. As for the temps: I have not seen that hot of temps at highway speeds. I rode Monday. Ambient was 104. At highway speeds (i.e. near 80), engine temp was 190. It didn't get to 200 until stop and go traffic in tempe. However, my fan swap really helps lower the temp in city traffic. I suggest water wetter first with a complete swap of fluid. And, if you're good with repairs, the fan swap.

 

I grew up in Tucson. Cooling systems were always a concern.
The general motors ads used to say "We test our cars to the extreme heat of 100º"

The fan sensor usually comes on at 260º.

One thing we did was add a coolant enhancer like Quick Cool to the antifreeze.
There are a number of different brands available. Check the auto parts store.

IT is good to avoid driving if at all possible in the late afternoon heat.
It gets up to 114º at times.

 

the placement on the radiators on these newer bikes IMO suck..... they should have stuck with the front mounted radiator and if they needed more cooling power...made it a little bigger......Just My opinion..

by the way I don't miss riding in the summer heat when I lived in PHX 120 was the last time I did...I lost 10 pounds of sweat that day.....

 

Thanks for all of your replies to my thread. I think I will, at a minimum, flush out the three year old coolant, and replace it with engine ice or an equivalent. I can attest to the fact that the heat will suck the life out of you if you're not careful. Being retired, I do most of my riding in the a.m. hours but look forward to riding this winter when the rest of the nation is cold, rainy, or covered with snow.

 

VercanaVale, I'm in Q.C. and run around 220-230 in the late afternoon on my 07. It's never over heated, even when I'm sitting still.

 

I agree with you about the radiator placement. They should start thinking about it from the beginning of the design of the motorcycle. If they used a steel frame the coolant could circulate in the frame. Still retain the aluminum swing arm.
If they can put all that heat from the mufflers up in the cockroach tail then maybe they could use that area for radiator cooling. Put the exhaust down low.

On my last custom build I had the radiator in back of the engine. worked fine.
Then I moved it to the front. no difference in function.

 

All newer cars run in the 220 range due to emmissions so I don't feel the bike has a problem. My 07 cycles from 195 to 220 on the freeway. If it bugs you you can do the fan change. BTW, Only 1 rad has a fan. You may look to see if there is room for a 2nd fan.