C14. MY 2007/2009 / Ankles cool in Summer

[mike]

Yep.  But just as important as toe/heel protection, boots will offer ankle protection, something most shoes simply will not do.  Yet, every day I see the typical urban hot-shot on some sports bike, wearing a T-shirt, no gloves, no jacket at all, flimsy pants or even shorts, and tennis shoes.   Sometimes even flip flops.  It is probably no coincidence they also appear to be the most flip, aggressive, and reckless drivers, too.

That's all part of the d-bag uniform.... backwards baseball hat, corona t-shirt & white nike's.... hey as long as the helmet is strapped to the side of the bike it's all good.....

[mike]

Do any of you guys understand what he's saying in the video?

[VirginiaJim]

My 08 gets a little warm, but nothing compared to My old 99 Connie

I find the faster I go the cooler it gets unless it's terribly hot outside.  Therefore, I avoid 'parades' and slow riding as much as possible.  I also get bored and tend to fall asleep when going slow.

[VirginiaJim]

I was being facetious.  Of course not everybody does, but everybody should.

Facetious - Word of the Day.

adjective 1. not meant to be taken seriously or literally: a facetious remark. 2. amusing; humorous. 3. lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous: a facetious person.  Origin:
1585–95;  facete  + -ious;  see facetiae
Related forms fa·ce·tious·ly, adverb fa·ce·tious·ness, noun non·fa·ce·tious, adjective non·fa·ce·tious·ly, adverb non·fa·ce·tious·ness, noun

I like it.  Good word.
 

[reesedp]

Not sure what he is trying to say/relay, but it seems it might be specific to the older (gen 1) C-14 only.  In the summer, I don't have much problem with engine heat (unless I am stopped for a while), my problem is just not enough airflow hitting my body (arms, lower torso, legs).   This was not a problem on my naked ZRX, although I was frozen solid when temps were below 60.

My gosh, I'm a GEN 1 now?!?!  I prefer "original model" ridden by those that had the courage to buy the first ones...  Next month is 4 years already.  Maxtog, whats the real name anyhow?  I'm Darren.

[VirginiaJim]

Or EA (early adopter)..

[stewart]

Alpha Customer (or male if you really need it)

[texrider]

I removed the four pieces, and modified the trailing edges of the lower fairings. Seems to have eliminated the few small hot spot areas I had noticed with them in. Very pleasant riding in todays mid 90's. I like the look of the fairing mods. 

[carlntia]

Has anyone tried removing the pieces MGValerio specified? It looks like texrider removed the lower rear foam which seem to still be on in the video.

[SVonhof]

I have not done anything with mine, but am wondering if anyone else has done it as well.

[texrider]

They all are removed from mine, just their brackets remain. I'll get those out next time I have the fairings apart. For now, I just colored them black with a permanent marker. The overall comfort is greatly improved with the increased airflow, and other limiting factors of riding in 105 degree weather now trump. 

[martin_14]

Yeah, yeah... but where did he get that center stand??

you had to ask?

[SVonhof]

So, Texrider, do you see a need to put them back in at any point? Probably a dumb question.

Also, do you ride in much stop-and-go traffic where you are not moving much? Just wondering if you feel the bike gets any hotter when not moving as much and not getting the air-flow.

[Jeremy Mitchell]

I took my lower foam pieces out last year and felt quite a difference in the bike.  When I rode with tennis shoes (very rare) I could feel more heat on my right ankle and foot. My tank felt noticeably cooler though.  I will probably take my Zsteves heat shields out for my 2600 mile trip next weekend due to the fact that I will always have heavy riding clothing on, so the heat blast down low won't bother me as much as a hot[ter] fuel tank.

Keep in mind that the heat on my C14 is in no way unbearable or excessive IMO.

[texrider]

Mine will be staying out, and I may find some additional areas to whittle away on the lower fairings... 

[SkipH76]

Pulled mine out this past Monday night and would you believe it's rained every afternoon.  Finally got a chance to ride a little today but the rains earlier today had cooled the temps to the low 80's.  Nevertheless, my 09 most definitely puts less heat on the rider but the under the tank area is much cooler also.  More air is moving out the side exit vents - a mixture of "clean" air and radiator filtered air.  Seems like the additional clean air is creating a turbo effect in pulling the warm air out.  I'm now anxious for an upper 90's day to get a real comparison.  I have the upper front foam pieces out, the lower front foam and plastic shields off, the mid fairing/underside of rear of gas tank double insulated, and Zteves heat shields.  Looks like this may be the best combo.  Sitting in traffic some heat can now escape out the front around the fork area which is not noticeable to the rider.  I'll report back after a high Texas temp day ride.

[almightys]

Interesting. I just put zsteves sheilds in and love them but i noticed the foam pieces up front and pondered same that its restricting some airflow. Gonna try to take front pieces out. I like what zstvevs heat sheilds do ofr blocking heat from my feet.

[SkipH76]

Pulled mine out this past Monday night and would you believe it's rained every afternoon.  Finally got a chance to ride a little today but the rains earlier today had cooled the temps to the low 80's.  Nevertheless, my 09 most definitely puts less heat on the rider but the under the tank area is much cooler also.  More air is moving out the side exit vents - a mixture of "clean" air and radiator filtered air.  Seems like the additional clean air is creating a turbo effect in pulling the warm air out.  I'm now anxious for an upper 90's day to get a real comparison.  I have the upper front foam pieces out, the lower front foam and plastic shields off, the mid fairing/underside of rear of gas tank double insulated, and Zteves heat shields.  Looks like this may be the best combo.  Sitting in traffic some heat can now escape out the front around the fork area which is not noticeable to the rider.  I'll report back after a high Texas temp day ride.

Update:  Finally a day with temps in the low 90's.  The good:  There is absolutely NO warm air blowing on you while traveling down the road.  Stop and go traffic heat is much improved.  My theory is the heat is escaping out the front around the fork tubes.  The bad:  There is still some warmth where your knees touch the gas tank (actually just below the gas tank) area.  It's not any worse than it's ever been but it's still some warmth.  This is not noticeable if you have a riding style that splays your knees out a little from the tank but if you are a "knee gripper" you'll notice it.  Conclusion:  I think this setup is the best and will be leaving things as is.  YMMV 

[SVonhof]

I think I will have to do this before my big ride coming up in September...

[pasini510]

I pulled the foams and front fairing pieces yesterday. I think that Kawasaki intention to block the heat just doesnt work in 85 plus temps. I will test out today.