Excessive heat on 2008 models

[Cheesecake]

Denied by some,  yet declared by many, the 2008 and 2009 models have excessive heat belching forth from the right side of the motorcycle, from the radiator, through the fairing vents onto the rider's leg. The original owner of my personal bike says this bike is not hot--I say, nay nay, wrongo el steamy breath. The bike is very hot and unless you live in a northern state or wear full leathers, you will suffer the heat on your right leg. I tried changing the exhaust system to sans cats; no effect. If the ambient temperature is below 80 there is not much effect. But above 80, and you must wear protection.

[manowarwi]

There is a guy on eBay selling heat shields.  I wonder if they work:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-Concours-14-GTR-1400-Heat-Shields-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3f09e3e508QQitemZ270748869896QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Its so f-ing cold up here I haven't noticed yet, but it may be an issue later in the summer.  To be honest to foam blocks don't look to hard to make myself.

[jayke]

I've got a set of the heatshields on my '08.  They are made by a forum member, Zteve?  He also sells them on Ebay and that's where I got mine.

They help but the tank gets hotter now so I added insulation under the tank and seat too.

I wouldn't bother making them myself. Lots of different cuts on them to fit tightly. Too much trouble and after you buy the material, you'll spend almost as much. You also need to use heat resistant non-flammable foam. Just any old foam isn't safe.

[gildaguz]

There is a guy on eBay selling heat shields.  I wonder if they work:
I just put a set of those on my 09 and my appreciation is that  for city driving and speeds below 70 mph there is a big improvement, i will remove them to compare because i feel that now engine is running hotter, also at speeds over 70 mph the hot air that come out of the vents create a turbulence and come right to your legs

[turbohawk]

I'm in Texas where our summers will melt steel in direct sunlight, so if this bike is hot, I sure can't tell!  Quit your belly achin' and ride a Honda RC51 if you want to melt your legs into putty. 

[Pokey]

Doesn't bother me in the least bit.

[riverbound51]

Don't the heat shields trap more hot air in the engine area?  Do you find that the engine runs hotter? Are the fans on more?  I like the idea, however my concern is that all of that trapped heat needs to get out.

[Dustproof]

Mine is a 2008, I get heat but on my left side mainly.  I find it OK but I wear boots with a good shin guard so it doesn't bother me, I don't know what all the fuss is all about.  I looked at the EBay items and thought much the same as everyone else, what happens to the heat. I guess it has to heat something up, maybe we should get the 2010 plastics - ouch ... expensive!!

[Afm252]

Heat...yes...compared to the other bikes I've owned, no big deal. My nuts and ass are fried skinless the moment I plant them after the bike sits in the Texas sun. Don't think of legs at that point.

[Shad0hawK]

you can tell from this photo how much the heat bothers me...no heat deflectors. this bike is a daily ride in Texas. (i have not owned a car since 2007) the odd thing is the only time my right leg got cooked was running lime creek road down by austin a couple of years ago in July.

[Snibbor]

Living in the Pacific Northwest, it doesn't bother me a bit as its usually not too hot.  But in does get in the 90s now and then and doesnt bother me then either.

[Zteve]

With the heat shields installed, the small amount of blocked heat just goes out the side vents and under the motor where it was intended to go.  There are OEM foam shields under the fairing but they just don't do the job.  The bike does not run hotter with the new shields installed.  They lock in place with no modification to the bike.  A few guys have said the tank gets a little warmer but it could also be since your legs are not roasting, you notice the tank more.  The shields are definitely a way to get the heat off your legs and make the 08/09 bikes more comfortable in warmer weather.



The shields are $50 shipped on this forum.  PM me for more info.

[CrashGordon]

I also live in Texas and I commute on my '09 all summer long.  I don't notice any extra heat from the bike.  About to enter my third summer with it.

[ZG]

I kinda like the look of those...
 
Do they just tuck in there or are they somehow mounted?
 
Do you have to remove the plastic to install them or are they squishy enough to just push them in place?
 

[Zteve]

I kinda like the look of those...
 
Do they just tuck in there or are they somehow mounted?
 
Do you have to remove the plastic to install them or are they squishy enough to just push them in place?

The frame and fairings lock them in place.  The best way to install them is to remove the middle fairing and one bolt from the lower fairing.

[ZG]

The frame and fairings lock them in place.  The best way to install them is to remove the middle fairing and one bolt from the lower fairing.

Thanks for the reply Steve. "Can" they be squished into place or is removing plastic the only way? I have the Top Block sliders on my Connie, so removing plastic requires a little more effort...

[mike]

the mid fairing has to come off & the lowers loosened.

[Bob]

I was able to put them in without removing the plastic. But it's much easier and looks better when done if you remove the plastic!

[slickcdb2000]

Zsteve I'll be trying some of those shields out as Soon as I acquire my new to me connie!!!  I hope they work!

[ZG]

I was able to put them in without removing the plastic. But it's much easier and looks better when done if you remove the plastic!

Thanks Cap'n!