2002 VFR800 running hot, I think???

Hi, I just bought a 2002 VFR800 and I think it is running to hot. I am sorry if this is a repeat thread, but I couldn't find the thread in a search. In my area the outside temperature is between 90 - 100 F. The bike is running around 205 deg. around town. I am moving about 30-50mph. Is this a normal temperature for these conditions. When I get on the freeway at about 80 mph the temperature drops to about 160 deg. Can someone help me? Thanks for your time

 

GR8:
You sure it's down around 160 when you're on the freeway? That's actually running a little cool. I see 185-190 at the same speed & air temp.
As for around town, looks like normal or even a little low too. If I'm tooling around town, it's not unusual to hit 220+, and then of course the fan kicks on. Hit a few stop lights and it's guaranteed to happen.
Seems like if I'm running less than about 50 mph, the air flow through the radiators is not very effective, especially if I'm in "dirty" air behind some other vehicle.

HTH,
Rod

 

yep my 06 does the same. fan comes on often in traffic.

 

These bikes like to run hot. Putting in a lower fan stat can actually hurt the engine's efficiency at burning the gasoline. You're only running too hot if the temp gauge shows in the red and coolant then burps out of your radiator cap.

 

Ok, as I get on my soap box once again, I know these engines run hot especially in traffic,but I hesitate to say they like to run hot. What I have done to calm down the high heat of my V-4 is I converted my fan to a manual unit. when I get in traffic and before the motor starts percolating, I hit the fan switch, this seems to really help keep the engine cooler, I also opened my cat converter and removed the grid, this also helped reduce temps alot. Some of the temps that the guys see in traffic example 225-235f are just to hot for an intrenal combustion engine, maybe it wont show a problem now but I believe it has to hurt the longevitivity of the motor, eddie

 

When riding in heavy traffic with temps over 95 mine runs between 230 and 239, havent seen 240 yet. Fan is going all this time, don't know how it would make a difference changing when the fan kicks on. It runs around 185 if the temp is in the 80's or lower.
I've never had it overheat or dump coolant out the reservoir, so I pretty much leave the display set to outside air temp and try not to think about it.

 

Sorry can't help. New rider. Only observation I thought my 2K vfr was running hot at 102 yesterday in traffic, although ambient temp was only 16 here in Scotland and roads wet. Oh to have your weather to ride out in!

 

Drop in a lower temp fanstat.

 

That's normal pal, just ignore it. Fan comes on around 98-100 and will stay on until it cools down around 94. Soon as you hit those 'A' roads, temp should pop down to the mid 80's.

 

You're right John came down to about 80-83 in open traffic and bendy roads.

 

Don't mess with it. It is not often that manufacturers screw something like this up. Only worry about it if the fan doesn't bring the temperature down. I live in a pretty cool climate and the fan will still kick in prolonged slow speed driving even if the temp is below 10 C. The side mount radiators need air flow to work. The fan provides it.

 

Hey, Gr8 If you oil cooler is like mine - a gen 5- then it has no fan in front of it. It is cooled only by the air flow as the bike moves. The cylinders are glycol cooled and the transmission and lower unit is oil cooled. Once the air movement - the bike - stops the only cooling occuring is the fan air over the coolant radiator. Your still maing heat in the lower unit just by idleing. Your temps run just like mine at the ambients you mention. Keep the coolant changed with Honda HP2 50/50 premix and your are good to 256 according to my manual. Above that you will have to shut down.
That (normal but) high operating temp is another reason to use a good oil. I use a full synthetic as its themal breakdown is >450 degrees and not about 350 with normal, mineral based oil.

Hope that helps. Greasy side down!

 

If anything it sounds a little cool to me. My '07 runs at 180-190F on the open road, and the fan kicks on at 220 in traffic.

 

Some aftermarket automotive fanstats will work on VFR's. Not sure which ones.
However, say you found that a fanstat from a '89 Honda Civic will fit your bike. Just get have the parts guy cross reference a lower temp fanstat that will fit an '89 Honda Civic.

 

I know this may be old hat, but the high temperature vs. engine performance or longevity is a subjet that is misinterpetted on most machinery available to the buying public. It is not detrimental to the engine itself to run hot, the main components/fluids that are affected are oil and the bearing themselves. Oil itself really doesn't breakdown - the additive packages do and viscosity decreases as temperature rises. That being said, all modern oils (mineral and syn based) are relatively good performers. True, some may increase crank HP and help minimize wear in harsh conditions such as water entrainment, extreme loads (i.e gear lubrication) and heat, but given proper maintenance and operation (even per honda long oil change intervals of 8K) when has anyone actually experience a purely oil related failure? How about on a car? I think it is really rare these days and if one happened, I would be skeptical of it being purely oil related. Long story short, oil likes cold temps to maintain viscosity but motor oils are designed to take the engine temps normally seen (that is why we run motor oil with additives to lubricate ours gears and not straight turbine oil)
Anyway, the other item, roller bearings, found throughout the engine on ancilliary equipment are typically heat treated in the 350F range. If heated above this approx temp, the metal loses its treat and life drops significantly. I am guessing this temp is well below the OIL temps seen on any engine unless something went really wrong.

The normal running temps of a VFR, and the limits set by Honda are well withing modern design capabilities ard really any motorcycle grade oil you put in. So, as long as your temps don't get near those limits, don't worry and have fun riding. Think about it, do you worrry about the coolant temp on your car. Only if it goes in the red right? I always find it funny that people seem to treat their motorcycles as some vastly different beast than their cars.

 

I live in the desert.my VFR runs 220f with the fan coming on,not to worry,send you some death valley pics.The heat should not worry you,my temps go 220f before and the radiator comes on.As long as that cooling system kicks in, I would not worry.I don't drive in traffic.We always must b aware.