2007 VFR800 Runs Hot ?

Just picked up a 2007 VFR800 and notice it runs hot.. I was running 240 to 260 this weekend in the hills air temp in the 90's this day... Is that normal. today on the ride home with fog air temp showing 65 it was running 215 degrees on a 3mile ride home. Bike only has 1100 miles on it... Manual say no hotter then 250...WTF.. Anyone got a clue on this.. Im not a mechanic

Jeff

 

I'm not sure what could be wrong, but to give you some bearing... I have an '07 as well. Mine never gets to 230F. On the freeway cruisin' along at a good clip I see 170-180's. In traffic I'll push 200's. Stop-n-go, 210-220's which is the worst of it. Mine has ~17k.

 

My guess would be a stuck thermostat or the fan not coming on because that's above the norm... when the bike hits 210 listen to see if you can hear the fan kick on.

 

join the club.... is your fan comin on around 225*?

 

Fan works fine.

 

Fan comes on at or about 220. I ride in the high desert, near 100 all summer. On the road, in the morning at 85 degrees or so, it stays at 195-210. In traffic, it gets near 220 and the fan kicks in, never above 230, even in the middle of the day. Check thermostat, level of coolant, and oil level.

 

The worst I have seen from mine was in Vegas in a construction zone that went on for miles in 110+ ambient and the temp camped out at 238......ass was quite puckered......above that I would say thermostat is your next step .

 

You said you were running 240 to 260. While even 240 is pretty hot, i think there is a "warning" light that comes on at 250. 260 sounds waaaaay to high.

Like others, its not uncommon to see 220, even 230 in some bad traffic/hot weather. Get her checked out! Good luck.

 

Sounds abnormal. The only time I've ever heard of one "overheating" with the warning light on was when a newer rider was consistently staying in 1st and 2nd gear while averaging 50-70mph. He asked the group if that was normal (new bike) and corrected his shifting deficiency and all was well...but the bike didn't forgive him and promptly spit him off 20 miles later.

 

Im going to guess thermostat myself. Fan does kick on at 220 and cools down quick under 212. This bike was not rid much since bought in 2007... Oil is good coolant level is good. So tomorrow will get-r check

 

Don't just check the level in the overflow tank, pull the cap and make sure the system is completely full. I found a small leak in my left radiator that wouldn't suck back fluid from the overflow tank as it couldn't build vacuum.

 

I recently was told by a guy that rides a different metric sportbike that he uses mid or premium grade gas so the engine runs cooler in the warm months. I tried this and was amazed that my engine temp IS LOWER by 5-10 degrees! :redface:

Works for me! In the hot point of the day in St Louis when it is in the upper 90's, my bike stays below 220.

 

I meant to mention that. Good post Rex.

 

Gotta be your thermostat if all the coolant is at the required levels. I live here in Arkansas and the past couple of weeks we've had temps. bumping 100 degrees. I just flushed my cooling system last week and replaced the old anti-freeze and added a product called Water Wetter which helps to dissipate heat in the cooling fluid. I then took the bike out and ran the dog dookie out of it on the interstate hitting speeds of up to 130. I then came thru town after the hard highway run and not once did my temps get over 220 nor did my fan kick on. Once I got home I let the bike idle in the garage and finally the fan kicked on but just for a couple of minutes and the temp promptly dropped back under 220 deg.

 

+1 had the same happen to me, overflow was still full and one of my hose clamps had come loose. Coolant sure was low in the radiator though!!

 

When I said to check all coolant levels it was understood not to check just the overflow tank but the radiator also, hence, all coolant levels. Gday.

 

I live in Phoenix Az and just got my 07 (new with 1 mile on the OD) in Feb this year. Right off I put a exhaust system on it and later a K&N air filter. Coolent temp was 210 to 220, but when summer hit, it increased to 230 to 235. Note to self: computer cant change the fuel enough and I was running LEAN. Got a power comander and put it on the dyno. It's Aug now and it has not gone over 205

 

236 for a high

Mine has reached a high of 236 riding in 98 ambient in traffic. I get a lot of heat from the gas tank though. My inner thighs were burned (they were still red the next morning). Going several places for a few minutes a piece seems to get the tank HOT. I assume because it can't cool down very fast when sitting in the sun and the engine heat goes up and around the tank. Thinking about trying the VTR fan mod (pusher vs puller) but haven't pulled the trigger yet. If I am going to be making multiple stops maybe I just need to take the WR.

 

Remember that the temp guage reading is usually measured at the thermostat.
The thermostat starts to open at 135 and is fully open at 185.

But the coolant sensor in the radiator opens at 260º then the fan comes on. That is at the Bottom of the radiator.
So the coolant in the bottom of the radiator is 260º and the coolant at the thermostat
can be less when measured by the sensor in the thermostat housing.

the sensor in the radiator has the opening temp printed right on it.
You can put it on your stove in boiling coolant and when the coolant reaches 260 it should open. You can use a multimeter to see if it is opening and a temp guage to see if the coolant is 260º.
Do not let the sensor get grounded on the bottom of the pan or you wlll get a false meter reading.

I do not think you have a problem, but 90ºF outside air temp will cause things to get hot. The stock bike has air flow blocked by the radiator and all the heat coming off of of it and the hot exhaust. exhaust in front of the engine, and exhaust in the back of the engine,

 

lol you sure you can boil water to 260* on a stove?