Heat on C14...Will Kawasaki announce if they fix?

[Bounce]

I have an '04 FJR that, according to the internet know-it-alls, is supposed to have a "heat problem". Well, it doesn't. It probably would if I lived in someplace with high heat and/or humidity. Bumper to bumper traffic on a Dallas freeway in mid-summer will burn up anybody on a motorcycle, no matter what brand.

as an owner of an 03 that came in the first wave of PDP bikes, i say yes and no. yes i drive in texas summers. no heat isn't a problem any more than any other full fared bike i've ever known. no it's not the know-it-alls; it's the whiners that don't wear gear or whose perception of heat on a bike in the summer is different than many other people.

[Outrace]

How about if it's the actual difference between the G1 and G2?  Have either of you ridden a G1 AND a G2 in Dallas traffic?  LBJ north at 5 or the mixmaster at 5?  I have.  There's a CONSIDERABLE difference.  Same motor, same bike, different heat management.  ATTGAT has nothing to do with it.

[FJRmgm]

there are a couple of mods for the G1 FJR that can easily be done that GREATLY reduces the heat - especially on the left shin area.

I have an '05 with the mods and rode a friends '05 without the mods the other day and there is a WORLD of difference.

But, that said, the G2 bikes are even better, but slower and have funky colors.

[FBRR]

Why is it most of the C14 "HEAT" complaints are from FJR owners???

I have no heat complaint. But then I don't ride in a T-shirt and shorts either.
In traffic you may know it's a big engine, but no hotter than sitting on my V-Rod with the fan Blasting heat out! I try to stay out of traffic no matter what I ride.

If you're riding a SPORT TOURING BIKE in town and traffic most of the time, you pick the wrong ride!

[Bounce]

there are a couple of mods for the G1 FJR that can easily be done that GREATLY reduces the heat - especially on the left shin area.

I have an '05 with the mods and rode a friends '05 without the mods the other day and there is a WORLD of difference.

But, that said, the G2 bikes are even better, but slower and have funky colors.

could be our experiences are similar.

atgatt, some easy-to-do things on the bike including a tank cover to mount my tank bag to. never seemed to have a heat issue that some people do. the general concensus is that it's a personal thing. riders have different tollerances.

[Outrace]

Why is it most of the C14 "HEAT" complaints are from FJR owners???

Maybe because FJRs manage heat better than the C14.

[ol Rocket]

How about if it's the actual difference between the G1 and G2?  Have either of you ridden a G1 AND a G2 in Dallas traffic?  LBJ north at 5 or the mixmaster at 5?  I have.  There's a CONSIDERABLE difference.  Same motor, same bike, different heat management.  ATTGAT has nothing to do with it.

I beg to differ.  It's another method of heat management.  I didn't realize my Sprint had a heat problem until I purchased ventilated textile pants.  I'm fine in my leathers, but I won't wear the lightweight perforated stuff again.

[r2t2]

Maybe because FJRs manage heat better than the C14.

And it took Yamaha how many years to get it right??? As I stated earlier Kawi IS making changes throughout the '08 model run and some owners that did experience heat issues have found that there are ways to alleviate the issue. Some have found that simply checking the foam under the fairing and making sure that it's where it's supposed to be has helped a lot...

[Outrace]

Believe it or not, I'm not one of those FJR guys who thinks it's a completely perfect platform.  There's no need for anyone to get their bright green panties in a wad.  However, the evidence suggests that Kawi missed the mark on this particular aspect of the bike.

Yes, it took Yamaha forever to solve the problem, but now they've set the standard for heat control in the category, IMO.  Kawi might get it right, but that kind of change generally takes two years to incorporate.

In all fairness, I haven't ridden the C14, so all my info comes from C14 owners and the press.  I don't think any of us has heard or read that the C14 has stellar heat control.

So, I'm willing to accept that the FJR has right handlebar vibration and that they once had valve guide problems.  Perfect platform?  Is there one?

[Bounce]

and that honda's gold wing platform needed heat management improvements from their GL1100 Aspencade, through their GL1200 Aspencade and only got some reasonable improvements with their GL1500 fairing design. So, while Yamaha took some time, their 3 year effort (03 to 05) doesn't stack up to Honda's 5 year stint (and 3 complete model changes).  Looking at it another way, Honda *never* fixed their GL1100 or GL1200 heat management.

[Connierider]

I think more than few folks need some cheese  with ther wine.I've heard some many complaints about heat.Good grief is a freaking motorbike.If you don't like a little heat then get aToyota! Just like all the bitching about heat on the gen 1 Conc.I had no complaint on mine after 40k miles in up to 110 degree heat.I test rode a gen 2 Conc and found it a great bike.Even in mesh riding pants.But hey what do I know.
I think the best complaint I've heard is my bike relly isn't 1400 cc,baaaaawwwwaaaaaaa!