Guys with 1700 heat problems, let me know here.

[jestephens]

Originally Posted by Dave

You guys need to what I did to solve this heat problem. I just went and had my right leg removed below the knee. Now when I ride with the prosthetic, I don't feel any heat, problem solved!

Dave, sorry to hear about your leg, but that's a great solution! Unfortunately, your leg could be on fire and you wouldn't know! I have carbon fiber mufflers on my Vaquero and you can flat-palm GRAB the muffler at full operating temps without burning yourself.

[jestephens]

Originally Posted by ponch

Here is someone that did it: http://forums.delphiforums.com/kawvu...s?msg=107350.1

Ponch, I didn't see any pictures, do you know of any? I suppose I could go look at a new Voyager

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Dave

You guys need to what I did to solve this heat problem. I just went and had my right leg removed below the knee. Now when I ride with the prosthetic, I don't feel any heat, problem solved!

The beemer was a better deal.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by jestephens

Dave, sorry to hear about your leg, but that's a great solution! Unfortunately, your leg could be on fire and you wouldn't know! I have carbon fiber mufflers on my Vaquero and you can flat-palm GRAB the muffler at full operating temps without burning yourself.

May be he's talking about a different leg? I am sure women can grab his without burning their hand...

[ponch]

Originally Posted by jestephens

Ponch, I didn't see any pictures, do you know of any? I suppose I could go look at a new Voyager

I guess you need an account to see any images. I have an account there, so it works for me.

[bearbait]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

I've never heard of any heat issues with the 106 Vics.

The Vic touring bikes have no water cooling yet you never hear of any heat issues for the rider.

My wife's Vic XR (2010) gets the rear jug hot enough to cook her right leg just above the knee. This is a known issue, and various Vic riders are busy trying to devise shields to cover the head of that jug.

My 2011 Vaquero gets hotter - well, at least it FEELS hotter - than my 2008 Nomad did, and on a really hot day in traffic it can be pretty uncomfortable, but it isn't as bad as that Vic. At least I never (yet) get scorch marks on my leg.

[Monkeyman]

Most of what I'm sort of familiar with are the Visions. I'm on a couple Vic boards and I've never heard (until now) of any heat issues.

[cheriann]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Either 1) I got lucky, 2) Kawi fixed the heat issues for 2012, or 3) I have a high tolerance for heat. I have ridden my Voyager in 100+ degree weather and haven't had any issues. Sure, I can feel the heat from the engine, but it's not that bad considering the size of the engine. It's kinda annoying that the clutch cover is discoloring at 9,000 miles, but that's what the warranty is for. Overall, I am really happy with mine. I have never ridden a HD tourer, but from what my HD buddies tell me, they run just as hot, if not hotter, than the 1700s. But, as a disclaimer, my bike does have the extra cooling fan at the rear of the engine. Maybe it does make a huge difference over the prior models.

I don't have any issues feeling the heat on my 2012 Vaquero. I have seen people write that Kawi changed something to direct the heat more under the bike for the 2012 models.
I do see my temp gauge reach the 3/4 mark on hot days, but I don't worry about it anymore.

[dewey405]

Originally Posted by cheriann

I don't have any issues feeling the heat on my 2012 Vaquero. I have seen people write that Kawi changed something to direct the heat more under the bike for the 2012 models.
I do see my temp gauge reach the 3/4 mark on hot days, but I don't worry about it anymore.

Only on Voyagers, hopefully they adopt it for all touring bikes for 2013 now that it is a success.

[redjay]

No issues with unbearable heat on my 2010 Voyager.
The heat issue has been blown way out of proportion in my opinion.

[smokey]

Originally Posted by redjay

No issues with unbearable heat on my 2010 Voyager.
The heat issue has been blown way out of proportion in my opinion.

I disagree in part, as a rider it was quite hot, but the jeans and riding pants helped, as a passenger it was often unbearable, as the young lady of a friend who rode with me to Port Dover can attest to. She would not have lasted for long in stop and go traffic if she had not had heavy jeans, and even then she found it very hot at times. I can only imagine what it would be like in the States where it is hot all the time.

[Hugh Thompson]

When I was younger I worked a mechanic who raced alcohol powered speed boats. I learned how they could get more horsepower by keeping the combustion heat in the cylinders, heads, manifolds and turbin housings by using a ceramic coating that was a few thousandths thick. You could put your hand on the pipes and not get burned. I did a quick google search on ceramic coatings and there a a lot to look at. The price for the pipe headers looks to be less than $200.00. The heads were about $40.00. They also have a piston crown coating, and a skirt coating. The pipes can be coated on the inside or outside. This could be something you might want want to consider.

[Monkeyman]

I think jp58 and Jay Stephens have both done that. I don't remember what the outcome was but if you search, you can find the threads.

[ponch]

I just read on another forum that Kawasaki released a KAMS kit to retrofit 2009-2011 Voyagers for $399.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by ponch

I just read on another forum that Kawasaki released a KAMS kit to retrofit 2009-2011 Voyagers for $399.

One could argue that the retrofit kit should be free.