Excessive Heat to legs and feet

omen · 10-25-2007, 1:02 PM

Hi Guys,

I own a 2007 CBR1100XX Super Blackbird with 600kms on the clock, the question I would like to ask is it normal that the heat from the exhaust and engine comes out of the fairing onto the bottom of your legs and feet. I live in North Queensland with avarage temps around 30 degrees C and the heat from the above problem is fryin me, is there any aftermarket products to fix this problem? I have thought about wrapping the catalyitic convertor and exhaust pipe with some sort of heat wrap but seems extreem.

Is there any other people out there that have this problem?

Best Regards
Omen

ConqSoft · 10-25-2007, 1:12 PM

Are you wearing motorcycle boots and pants? Never had any major issues with heat, unless I was sitting still or in slow moving traffic. As long as the engine isn't overheating, I'd say it's normal.

omen · 10-25-2007, 1:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

Are you wearing motorcycle boots and pants? Never had any major issues with heat, unless I was sitting still or in slow moving traffic. As long as the engine isn't overheating, I'd say it's normal.

Hey thanks for the reply,

I use insulated motorcycle pants but could do with better boots, temp sits around 80 deg C on highway and around 100 deg C in traffic, yes the traffic heat is a killer, just wondered if they made an aftermarket piece that covers the gap where the motor is exsposed near bottom of legs just under the knee.

Just not used to so much heat from this bike in that area, never had this problem with my GXSF750.

Omen

Banshee · 10-25-2007, 6:16 PM

That heat is pretty normal for the 'bird. I get min 80C on the highway & the fan usually keeps it down to 105C in the stop/start Sydney traffic. The cooked legs/feet (mostly the left), is not unusual. You feel it most on the left when the fan kicks in after the temp hits ~100C.

The frame rails/heater elements also add to this effect, (due to the solid mounting to the engine). But some ducting of the air away from the legs would be really nice...

SRMXX · 10-25-2007, 9:34 PM

I had the same problem with my 97. Had some boots made for me by Bates Leathers, problem solved.

Bordo · 10-27-2007, 7:24 AM

I wear Draggin Jeans and Rossi boots and dont have a problem. My previous bike was also a '97 GSXF 750. I just sold her this week. I'll be sad to see her go but can't afford two bikes anymore. Cheers

Helvet · 10-27-2007, 8:14 AM

The problem is far worse if you have a BB with a catalyst. The normal bird gets warm around your legs, but the catalyst version is scorching-hot!
It is easy to solve, just buy some slip-ons without a catalyst, and you'll be fine. It will still be warm, but not so hot that it's uncomfortable....

Banshee · 10-27-2007, 8:32 AM

I swapped the cat pipes for some spare non cat pipes from my '98 that I still had lying around...

I didn't like the idea of the kids accidentally touching them when I get home from work. The normal ones get hot, but the cat area was tinting the stainless which means it was at 239C at least on the surface...

DJM · 11-27-2007, 2:54 AM

G,day Omen,
I ride a 03 model Bird, gets up to around 103 celcius in summer when stuck in stationary traffic. Right leg gets a bit cooked but a pair of proper boots and thick socks solves the problem to some degree.

JohnnyB · 11-27-2007, 9:11 PM

Ditto DJM comments I ride my 'Bird with boots and jeans and have never really thought the heat from this area was a problem. I try sticking to the roads that have roundabouts rather than traffic lights and I also use a mesh jacket around town, they are a very worthwhile investment here in North Queensland.

DJM · 11-27-2007, 9:41 PM

Ditto Johnny B. I also wear a mesh jacket (RJays) with Rivet Monsoon pants with the rain liner removed. They have generous leg mesh panels along with all the required protection padding and knee guards. It dosen't take long for the legs to cool as soom as you start moving again.Will keep an eye out for you in Townsville JohnnyB.
Have a good day all,
DJM

PinoyXX · 11-27-2007, 9:50 PM

During long rides, I wear leather pants and boots and didnt feel the heat but when I am just riding within our place and wearing shorts, the heat coming out when the fan in on is really hot.

OMG · 12-13-2007, 12:33 AM

Real easy fix

Move to Montana

just need studded tires for the snow

DragonXX · 12-20-2007, 9:57 PM

" ... Move to Montana ... "
And a team of siberian huskies ... so you can pull the 'Bird out of any snowdrifts

Hog-Sniper · 12-21-2007, 1:23 PM

Are the catalytic converters in the OEM cans, on an 02' model ? If so, then if I go with Scorpion or Akrapovic slip ons (carbon fiber or titanium), will I have to remap my computer ? Also, what is a better material to go with, carbon fiber, or titanium ?

Aurora · 12-22-2007, 11:51 AM

Fonzie...Are you trying to be cool?

600 kilometers? Hell the engine isn't even broken in.

The engine will run cooler after break in.

On a hot day any speeds under 30 mph (30 mph is like what 220 kph?), the bird and you will run hotter. It is a transcontinental missile. Not a stop and go commuter bike.

Water Wetter or Engine Ice in your coolant fluid will drop cooling system temperatures which will help you stay cool.

Bike might be running lean. What color are you pipes from the lower fairing back including the cans?

Add a Power Commander to richen mixture. As smooth as the XX is Honda has the bike set to run lean. Adding a Power Commander won't add any big increase in power, but the bike will run even smoother and cooler.

Sync oil might help to a little extent.

By the way this is a big liter bike not a little Vespa. So, suck it up like a man!

Banshee · 12-22-2007, 4:46 PM

The cats are just before the can itself. The bit where the pipe gets a little fatter. If yours doesn't, there is no cat there.

Aurora · 12-23-2007, 12:08 AM

Did you finish breaking in the motor?

Frosty · 12-23-2007, 6:34 AM

I know what you mean Omen, i'm down in Sydney and find on a summer day it gets stinking hot on the bike. My pillion even lifts her legs up onto mine because she says it gets too hot .... and she's sitting behind me.

Steve

Fonzie · 03-05-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora

Fonzie...Are you trying to be cool?

By the way this is a big liter bike not a little Vespa. So, suck it up like a man!

????? Huhhhhh?? Like that pic though....Thanx! May make a good avatar in the future

DJM · 03-07-2008, 12:01 AM

The cooling fan comes on when the motor gets hot (too late)and blows the hot air out. Uncomfortable at times but easilly remedied. By fitting an earthing switch to the fan wiring circuit you can switch the fan on before the motor gets too hot.
Easy to do. Mount a switch on the handle bars, run one terminal to a suitable earth. Remove lower left fairing. There is a bracket on the top left of the radiator holding a connection with two wires that run from the fan. The wire that is closest to the outside of the Bird goes to the heat sensors that switch the fan on by earthing the circuit. By joining into this wire and running the lead to the other terminal on the handlebar switch you bypass the sensors and can switch the fan on at will. This does not interfere with the fan coming on automatically when required. Normally I only switch mine on in slow or stopped traffic, if you run it all the time the battery charge will drop considerably.
The Bird can be kept at a cooler temperature in traffic now, as much as 10deg.c in summer heat on my 03 bird. If you decide to do the same, check that you have the correct wire, if you get it wrong you will blow fuses as the fan is live whenever the ignition is on.
Cool riding,
DJM.

ironmike · 03-07-2008, 12:20 AM

FWIW, I found that my stock cans ('99) run a lot cooler since I drilled out the center hole (1"/25.4mm) only in each... and admittedly it is a little more resonant, but not so much as to attract undue attention. I don't know how this might affect a cat-equipped 'Bird... but it stands to reason that if the the hot exhaust spends less time in the mufflers, by virtue of a shortened path, less residual heat would radiate from the exhaust system... Of course, YMMV...

Sorceress · 03-09-2008, 4:56 AM

WHEW thought it was just me!! My left leg and foot just get scorched, especially when I get stuck in traffic and it's hot.

The man didn't believe me until he took her out for a ride and he was stunned at the amount of heat she generates, not to mention how hot she runs compared to his ST.

Banshee · 03-09-2008, 8:04 AM

Yup, I had red feet & lower legs after a trip home one summer day. And that was along the motorway at 120kph for most of it. And that was through boots & leathers... Mind you, it was ~40C in the shade that day.

BobZ · 06-05-2008, 4:53 PM

Interesting thought above from ironmike - drill out a center hole in each can. But I have a 2002 - anyone have thoughts on this?

I have heard that drilling holes in all of them (center & 6 outers) is not good.

SilverBrd · 06-05-2008, 11:52 PM

I am not having any major complaints on the heat coming off and burning my legs or feet yet although I always wear jeans and boots. What I have done is flushed my radiator and added engine ice and this has helped somewhat. I will be also getting header tape to reduce the heat coming from the top of the header as well.
I do ride in 95-100 degree heat every day and my Bird loves the fan but when riding down the road she cools down to the 180-190 mark.