Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: lather on June 04, 2011, 05:21:26 PM
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This is about not the typical 08, 09 heat complaint, which I beleive has to do with lots of heat coming out the fairing vents and roasting the legs. Yeah, there is some heat there but that never bothered me much. This is about heat coming through the tank and seat after a few hours riding in hot weather. I have an 08 and I have 54000 miles on it and until recently the only time I was really uncomfortable was an 800 mile trip in 95-99 degree temps. I figure that trip would have been pretty rough on any bike. But in February I developed a case of severe psoriasis :o
Basically my skin has gone berserk! I won't go into details but the part revelent to riding is that my butt and crotch get raw and irritated just walking around (i know, too much info).
So, the heat comimg through the tank and seat is very unpleasant!
I installed this stuff under my seat and tank.
(http://www.lamsta.com/gallery/heatshield1.jpg)
(http://www.lamsta.com/gallery/heatshield2.jpg)
I am also replacing my coolant with a Redline Water Wetter mixture. They claim a reduction in engine temperatue of up to 20 degrees F.
I have not tested these mods yet as while I was in there I discovered some more rodent damage. That took some dissassembly to repair plus I realized I should replace my air filter while the plastic is off. I will have to wait to order a filter Tuesday.
A mouse built a nest nest to the throttle pivot, I am amazed it did not get jammed wide open and kill me dead. He (she?) also knawed the insulation off the white wire to what I think is the cam position sensor or some such. Hopefully in a few days I will have it back together and can test ride and report the results, subjective as they may be.
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I've got self-adhesive heat insulation under the tank and seat pan. It helps but don't expect a 100% solution to your problems.
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I am not expecting 100%, I'd be pleased with 25%. I also purchased an Airhawk 2 seat pad which should help. The bead seat that I have enjoyed for 150,000 miles is no longer comfortable to my tender butt. :'(
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You may want to think about all the voids under the seat that help direct heat to that area in the first place. I've stuffed mine with foam. Does it help? The jury is still out....
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That is so strange the difference from bike to bike, I havent noticed my tank getting that warm at all. I do have a Baldwin saddle, but can't say I noticed anything with the stocker either.
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You may want to think about all the voids under the seat that help direct heat to that area in the first place. I've stuffed mine with foam. Does it help? The jury is still out....
I will look into that, thanks.
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That is so strange the difference from bike to bike, I havent noticed my tank getting that warm at all. I do have a Baldwin saddle, but can't say I noticed anything with the stocker either.
The tank heat is very obvious when you fill up with gas. The relief from the cool fuel is wonderful.
But too short lived.
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If you ride faster you'll need fuel in shorter intervals and the relief will last longer.
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If you ride faster you'll need fuel in shorter intervals and the relief will last longer.
Hmmm, sounds like a plan...
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Would it be wrong to put Ice Cubes in the tank...... AAAHHHhhhhhh, just think how that'd feel on the legs and 'family jewels'....... I could ride for DAYS!!!!!
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You may want to think about all the voids under the seat that help direct heat to that area in the first place. I've stuffed mine with foam. Does it help? The jury is still out....
Does the voids under your seat like being stuffed with foam Jim? :rotflmao:
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When I go on long rides I wear padded bicycle shorts instead of underwear. Just be sure to get them large enough to not constrict. Makes the bathroom breaks more of a chore, but well worth it IMHO. The lycra feels soft to the skin too. I have even gone as far as spending $120 a pair for the high end ones and would not trade them for anything.
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Does the voids under your seat like being stuffed with foam Jim? :rotflmao:
Pants get bulky at times but other than that.....yes.
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If you ride faster you'll need fuel in shorter intervals and the relief will last longer.
:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: Ride more, worry less!!!
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When I go on long rides I wear padded bicycle shorts instead of underwear. Just be sure to get them large enough to not constrict. Makes the bathroom breaks more of a chore, but well worth it IMHO. The lycra feels soft to the skin too. I have even gone as far as spending $120 a pair for the high end ones and would not trade them for anything.
Welcome to the forum newbie. Are you in Shreveport, LA?
I am thinking about the padded riding shorts sold by Aerostich. They have pairs for $89 and $37. But I wonder if the padding would make the heat problem worse.
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I tried padded riding shorts many years ago and had the worst case of heat rash I have ever had. I took them off at the end of the day and never used them again. Maybe I didn't get them loose enough, but that's my experience with them.
Now I use a sheepskin on by seat and it seems to help. My opinion is that you have to get something to insulate yourself from the vinyl covering on the seat. Anytime you stop for lunch,etc. always park your bike in the shade. The sun really heats up the vinyl. With a sheep skin you will hardly notice it.
That's my .02. Good luck.
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Welcome to the forum newbie. Are you in Shreveport, LA?
I am thinking about the padded riding shorts sold by Aerostich. They have pairs for $89 and $37. But I wonder if the padding would make the heat problem worse.
Yes, I am in the Shreveport, La. area.
I wear mine with vented textile pants on 2+ hour rides in the summer months. I havent tried them on long runs, with jeans, in the heat. Short runs, I don't bother with them.
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Yes, I am in the Shreveport, La. area.
I wear mine with vented textile pants on 2+ hour rides in the summer months. I havent tried them on long runs, with jeans, in the heat. Short runs, I don't bother with them.
I am in St. Francisville. Check out www.lamsta.com (http://www.lamsta.com) and www.ridemsta.com (http://www.ridemsta.com)
We go for BBQ in Natchez a lot, Clarence a few times a year.
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I am in St. Francisville. Check out www.lamsta.com (http://www.lamsta.com) and www.ridemsta.com (http://www.ridemsta.com)
We go for BBQ in Natchez a lot, Clarence a few times a year.
Thanks, I will check them out.
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I have become addicted to under armour and/or padded cycling shorts........both make a huge difference in comfort, staying cool, butt burn, and dryout very quickly if they become wet.
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I second the sheepskin! Makes a huge difference in comfort when it's warm. I sweat much less with the sheepskin on than I do without it. I have also found that riding commando (sans undies) with looser fitting pants can also be much cooler. Standing up on the pegs once in a while to get some airflow across the family jewels brings some much needed relief. ;)
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The Tee, being a former commando, has never abandoned the "commando" dress code. I have never experienced any issues with heat problems like that even in the Summer.
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TMI in here.....
;D
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permenantly remove the heat deflectors. mine have been off for two years.
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Welcome to the forum newbie. Are you in Shreveport, LA?
I am thinking about the padded riding shorts sold by Aerostich. They have pairs for $89 and $37. But I wonder if the padding would make the heat problem worse.
Forget the Aerostitch stuff. That's too much. I'd recommend some of the riding shorts designed for the off-road riders, either with or without padding. These are basically bicycle shorts and vented and modern fabrics. Cool, comfortable, etc . . . and a whole lot cheaper than Aerostitch's version. Figure $30 to $40. I can point you to some brands if you want.
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Forget the Aerostitch stuff. That's too much. I'd recommend some of the riding shorts designed for the off-road riders, either with or without padding. These are basically bicycle shorts and vented and modern fabrics. Cool, comfortable, etc . . . and a whole lot cheaper than Aerostitch's version. Figure $30 to $40. I can point you to some brands if you want.
Yes, give me some barnd names, I agree Aerostich charges to much.
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permenantly remove the heat deflectors. mine have been off for two years.
Mine have been off that long also.
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+1 on the Airhawk cushion - it made a noticeable difference on the C10 in reducing the heat felt. Be aware ,that when properly inflated it will raise you a good 1/2 to 3/4 inch ,if that is a critical dimension for you.
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I just did 240 miles on the VFR (C14 waiting for a K&N air filter from Murph) I needed some green Anti-Freeze to mix with the Water Wetter. Redline recommends minimum 15% for street vehicles, no idea why. I found an Autozone after wandering around for 130 miles. I left at 10:00 am and by 10:30 the gauge said 99. It soon got to 102 and hovered there most of the ride with some 104 and a high of 106. I was wearing under armour shorts under mesh pants. By 2:00 I was standing on the pegs every 3 minutes!
So, its not just a Concours thing. It's mostly a climate change thing and a skin condition thing. I don't expect relief from climate change in my lifetime :'( The medicine I am on may take 4 months to reach full effect. In the meantime I will keep experimenting and try to make the best of the summer heat.
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permenantly remove the heat deflectors. mine have been off for two years.
Mine have been off since the day I got it. Never noticed a difference in heat, but it does look cooler.
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You might want to try a product that I use racing. It's similar to but not the same as baby powder. Called "Anti-Monkey Butt" and bike shops usually stock it.
Absorbs sweat and prevents chaffing. I use it on really hot/humid days (mx riders wear a LOT of gear and even vented, it's pretty hot and heavy) and it definitely lives up to its name. Worth a shot. Not expensive, maybe $8 for a container. Google it.
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For bike shorts look for Pearl izumi, Bellwether or upper level Specialized. Do not buy the cheap shorts. The cheap short pads will not get rid of the moisture quick enough to avoid monkey butt. If you pay less than $80 they are cheap. Good downhill mountain bike shorts are very cool and the good ones will not hold moisture. You can also take your riding pants off and walk around in them without being self conscious unlike the normal bike shorts. They also have pockets. I have also tried running lycra. They are just bike shorts without the pad. I use those combined with my downhill shorts now that I have a dead sheep skin on my seat. I tried the commando option for a while. On hot days I ended up sitting on things I do not want to sit on.
I used bubble wrap under my tank. Home Depot stuff with aluminum on both sides. Works great and cheap. It has been in there 3 years without an issue.
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You might want to try a product that I use racing. It's similar to but not the same as baby powder. Called "Anti-Monkey Butt" and bike shops usually stock it.
Absorbs sweat and prevents chaffing. I use it on really hot/humid days (mx riders wear a LOT of gear and even vented, it's pretty hot and heavy) and it definitely lives up to its name. Worth a shot. Not expensive, maybe $8 for a container. Google it.
Thanks for the suggestion, I have some of that, I won it at an MSTA rally. But I actually prefer and use Gold Bond body powder. They are both mainly talc, Monkey powder adds calamine, Gold Bond add zinc and menthol. I will give the Monkey powder another try since I have some left. Maybe the calmine will help with my psoriasis.