[pacman]

It seems like a lot of the people on this forum have some experience with air-cooled engines.

How do they handle stop-and-go riding in traffic, especially in the heat?

Are they more prone to overheating than water-cooled units?

 

[Mixup]

It seems like a lot of the people on this forum have some experience with air-cooled engines.

How do they handle stop-and-go riding in traffic, especially in the heat?

Are they more prone to overheating than water-cooled units?

I know not helpful to you but wish we had such a problem in the UK

 

[ducatirdr]

I know not helpful to you but wish we had such a problem in the UK

LOL

Yes air cooled bikes can overheat but without a radiator they don't let you know with the telltale white plume. What you will notice is engine knock as the fuel detonates before ignition. This is due to hot spots in the head that act as a glow plug to the air fuel mix. The oil cooler and oil injectors hit those hot spots to keep this from happening. Usually long idling in stop and go traffic brings out this engine knock even with proper oil cooling. The best thing to do is limit the time idling in traffic when its knocking. Also higher octane quality fuel prevents this so find good gas in the heat of summer when planning to do any Bike Week events with long lines of slow moving traffic. Normal riding you shouldn't see this happening.

My Buell can knock in those conditions. I shut it off and try not to abuse the pistons as engine knock if abused can damage a piston.

 

[DenverDuc]

The worst I've noticed in stop and go traffic is that the bike gets physically very hot underneath you. On the Monster 796, it's right underneath your thigh where the pipe comes out. I've had quite a few air cooled dirtbikes that get run hard at slow speeds for hours and personally never had any issues. I would not be concerned to ride the new Scrambler in traffic or worry about it overheating especially given my experience with other air cooled Ducatis (one of which I had when I lived in Vegas and frequently rode in the heat of summer).

 

[CoryG]

even more of a reason why i have a cage for times where it's too hot to ride and that i know the heat from the engine and outside will combine for something i don't want

 

[pacman]

Thanks all- that's about what I thought.

 

[w2darren]

I know not helpful to you but wish we had such a problem in the UK

Same in Ireland Mixup, wish we had some heat

 

[Mingu]

thing is... even the liquid ducatis will cook you in stop and go... side effect of straddling double sided explosions

 

[CoryG]

thing is... even the liquid ducatis will cook you in stop and go... side effect of straddling double sided explosions

might as well carry some bacon in a top box you transform into a cooler... if you get stuck in traffic on a hot day... at least you'll be well fed

 

[DenverDuc]

might as well carry some bacon in a top box you transform into a cooler... if you get stuck in traffic on a hot day... at least you'll be well fed

I'm in a local Land Cruiser club, and when we go off roading there's a guy in the group who puts breakfast burritos in a compartment under the hood that cooks the food with engine heat. Kinda weird but they taste great

 

[ScramblerFan]

I'm in a local Land Cruiser club, and when we go off roading there's a guy in the group who puts breakfast burritos in a compartment under the hood that cooks the food with engine heat. Kinda weird but they taste great

LOl that is pretty awesome.

if that's what i was doing i'd probably haul out a little BBQ and some food, get people to pitch in

 

[fallen celt]

Generally in Ireland I find the constant rain, wind and cold takes care of the matter

 

[pacman]

I'm in a local Land Cruiser club, and when we go off roading there's a guy in the group who puts breakfast burritos in a compartment under the hood that cooks the food with engine heat. Kinda weird but they taste great

Priceless!