Water temperature fluctuation

It's probably normal, but I have no experience with a water cooled bike. The details: '99 Viffer with 8100 original miles. The ambient air temp was about 80 degrees. While riding at speed the water temp indicated about 180 degrees and when through towns the water temp indicated about 210. Is this normal? It seems to me that the water temperature should not fluctuate the much. Again, I'm new to water cooled bikes.

Thanks in advance for the answers.

 

That seems to be about right VFR'S seem to run quite warm in a city or slow traffic

Having a digital gauge can be a case of Too much information sometimes causing unwarranted concern

 

100% agreement on that Grumpy. All my previous water cooled bikes had an analog gauge, and unless it was pointing hard right or hard left I took no notice!

The side mount radiators work really well when you're moving, but don't do much at a standstill.

 

Thats 100% normal operation. I'm surprised you only got to 210. For future reference as the summer goes on, you'll likely see 220-230. I've seen 250 on a 100 degree day stuck in traffic, an the bike still rides fine.

 

Yes normal, these v4 s like to run hot.

 

Thanks for the replies. In my world, well, in my past world, I'd have dreamed of water temps that high.

 

You can put in a manual fan switch off the fan ground wire to turn it on any time. I turn mine on before enter a town or any time when riding 35 or below. I had the same on my 83 Interceptor. Keeps the motor temp 185-195 max. Keeps you out of heat soak possibilities.

 

Also, I have seen mods where people swapped out their 5th gen oil cooler for an RC51 oil cooler. Reports of the motor running much cooler. Also, check out the threads on swapping out for VTR1000 fan blades.