New Exhaust = Hot Running. Too Lean?

Howdy,

I just installed a GPR high mount exhaust on my '99. Also has a K&N filter, but no PC or other mods. Took it for a ride after installation around town, mix of cruising through neighborhoods @ 30mph and cruising highways @ 60 mph. The bike seemed noticably hotter, both at the temp gauge and by the seat of my pants (literally). I expected my but to get hotter with the pipe being closer and less insulated. Temp gauge seemed to run ~10F higher than expected, never got over 220F. Usually when I'm cruising @ 60 mph and ~4500 rpm I'm seeing 170-180F, but yesterday I was seeing 185-195F.

My suspicion is that the bike is running lean (more airflow = lean, lean = hot, right?). If so, how hot is too hot, and am I going to do serious damage riding like this? Should I just suck it up and drop $300 on a PCIII?

Thanks!

 

Was the outside air temp the same both days? I have a staintune and K&N on my 2000 and my running temp varies depending on the outside temp, humidity, which way the wind is blowing, etc. etc. Normal highway cruising speeds normally see 178-180ish..BUT...If its hot and humid I have seen my bike run as hot as 198-200 on the highway. I have also noticed the bike running cooler if you into the wind versus with it and so on. Honestly, sounds like everything is fine. Ride! I think I am gonna do a PC on mine anyway cause the richer low RPM mixtures will definitely help it run cooler.

 

Thanks CRFan1, I live in Houston right now so it's almost always hot and humid. I'm going to give it a few more rides before I start panicking. Just want to make sure I'm not going to destroy my motor riding like this. I've got a long ride back to Ohio planned and I want the bike to make it in one piece.

 

Look, the bottom line is in Houston (hottest, muggiest place I have ever been to lol), you are going to run hot. That being said, if your fan is kicking on at around 221 degrees or so and it keeps the bike from overheating like it is supposed to, you are good to go. Even when it really hot here I never see north of 223 or so and the fan always brings it down to 209 before shutting off. The fact is, these bikes run pretty hot especially when you ride them in hot, humid weather. Go ride and have fun.:smile: