Running hot

[Robbono26]

I just picked up my new 2017 Voyager yesterday. My ride home was about 3 hours, it was about 69 degrees out, so not cold nore hot. The bike ran what i think is super hot, right inner thigh was very hot and you could feel the right side of driver seat was as well? Is this common, does it get better with time, anything i can do about?
How do i load pics on here?
Thanks

[redjay]

The bike will run a little cooler when it has broken in but what you describe is normal for a Voyager. I think there are shields that can be added in the area where you feel the heat. Chances are that the temp gauge read towards the high range ?
Again, perfectly normal for a Voyager.

[Robbono26]

Yes gauge at some points got pretty high. My concern is how hit my leg and the side if seat were and it was a cool day. Kind of bummed.

[recumbentbob]

Originally Posted by Robbono26

Yes gauge at some points got pretty high. My concern is how hit my leg and the side if seat were and it was a cool day. Kind of bummed.

Wait until next summer then you will know what HOT really is.

[redjay]

Unfortunately it is common knowledge on the forum and has discussed many times.
When you have around 5,000 to 10,000 miles on the engine it will run a little cooler.
I am not sure if Ivans ECU reflash helps with the heat issue.
Somebody else will hopefully add their 2 cents.

[warrbucks222]

I put the saddle heat shields from rj custom on my Nomad. Helped ALOT and looks good, plus it quieted alot if road and transmission noise. Gets a bit hot in traffic on 90+ days, but otherwise worth it fir the ride & power of the Nomad.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[MrMikey]

I put the saddle heat shields from rj custom on my Nomad.

Any pics???......Mike

[redjay]

I only really noticed the heat from my Voyager on a couple of occasions and it was 90 degrees and I was stuck in traffic. Most of the time it was not an issue for me.

[JD Hog]

Ivanize your bike and that will help a lot with the heat issues. Your fan will turn on sooner before it is too hot (and the bike starts running crappy). After you have some miles on your bike it will run cooler like redjay said.

Checkout Ivan's Webpage for info about the reflash to the ECU: Ivan's ECU Upgrade

[Redd]

Literally, the first thing I did with my Voyager is pull the lower fairings. The increased airflow is fantastic. 5800 mile ride cross country and no issues whatsoever while wearing riding jeans, khakis, or shorts.

[Gunner191q]

I bought a 2017 Vaquero in August. The heat was unbearable riding in Redding's 115 degree heat with the temperature gauge crowding the overheat mark all the time. Having the ecu reflashed changed everything on an otherwise stock bike. Now it never goes past 3/4 the way towards hot even in stop and go traffic, and is usually at the halfway mark the rest of the time even in 100 degree or higher temperatures. I had planned on getting the heatshields off of ebay but after the reflash there is no need. The bike runs smoother and I have put 3600 miles on it in less than 2 months. I had the ecu flashed at around 660 miles and it was worth every cent. At about 2500 miles the transmission seemed to get a little smoother shifting also. Prior to the reflash the bike was disappointing, after the flash it is amazing��

[mike07nad]

Greetings and welcome to the Voyager Family.
Heat - yep they are hotter but there are things you can do.
#1 - Ivanize - I know it seems like something you shouldn't have to do to a NEW bike - but it really does help out the heat, add MPG's and smooths out how it drives.

#2 - Engine Ice or Water Wetter - these are a couple products that help dissipate the heat in your cooling system, One replaces the existing coolant, one is an additive.

#3 - This one is gonna mess with your mind. CLOSE THE LOWER PODS. It is my theory that with the lower pods closed, more air (hot or cooler) will be funneled through the Radiator to cool the bike. The KAMS system works by channeling air through the Radiator and then pushing that Air Down and Out under the bike. The more air in the more it cools. When the fan is running, it pulls more air in, when it's not running it needs speed to push that air across the radiator. Also, When you have the pods open, it pushes the ambient air (whatever temp) across the engine and dumps it on your legs.
Close up the pods and give it a try - costs you nothing for that experiment.

So - Ivan, ICE and Close the pods

[Robbono26]

Ivanize is not an option. Its brand new and i have a 7 year warranty that woukd be voided.

[mike07nad]

Originally Posted by Robbono26

Ivanize is not an option. Its brand new and i have a 7 year warranty that woukd be voided.

May you find 7 years of enjoyment in your new ride. They are a great bike - I've bought 3 of them - and will buy another if something happens to mine.

If you find another heat reduction method be sure to share it with the group.

I will say this - I was the biggest skeptic of the Ivan Reflash - until I tried it. I now can ride it in any kind of weather and never even think of heat issues. Not to mention the other benefits of the re-flash.

For now My recommendation for you is to put miles on your new ride - Get it past the first few oil changes and a set of tires. (the rear OEM will last you about 6,000 miles give or take a few). See what your Bike tells you it needs to fit your needs. The good thing is you know that the Reflash is an option should you get to that point.

[PhDr]

Originally Posted by Robbono26

Ivanize is not an option. Its brand new and i have a 7 year warranty that woukd be voided.

2 years ago I traded a 97 VN1500 Vulcan to a Private Party for my Beautiful Plasma Blue, 2012 Vaquero with 6500 miles !!!! Sold new in 2014.

The '97 was a bit of a beater, in that I bought lots of neat stuff...cheaper,,,'cause they were used and didn't need to be perfect.
Drilled out the Baffles....sweet sound, PLASTI Dipped it once a year.
Highly recommend that stuff. Really loved it....low and mean!

The Vaq was kind of a poor mans Road Glide, about 5-7,000 $$ cheaper.
More Bike... if you ask me. And truly a different bike that the Vulc.
I'm 6' 280...and it is hard to get comfortable.
STILL trying to figure out highway pegs.

ALL these forums are SO bitchin'...saved my ass with the '97 (a 2 year only model, still 80% the same) Lots of tips and ideas!!

I KNEW i wanted to Ivanize it early.
I drilled the Baffles on a fleabay set of mufflers....sounded a little louder.
Ivan treats that as Stock Exhaust for his mod.
I did put on a BAK, using stock Air Covers, Ivan treats that as Non-stock for programming purposes.

Point of the Post:
as I push 66, in a few days, my body belies my memories.
I'm a Chopper guy at heart, maybe bobber.....NEVER a dresser-guy.
CHEEZEEE, hard to run withOUT a windshield, DON'T miss rigid frames, small seats etc etc. spoiled by the VAQ
BUT...whereas I wouldnt undo my Ivan reflash, I was shocked at the extra noise! That knocking thru the aircleaner takes some getting used to!
And the bike seemed super fast and nice stock, ignorance was bliss.
IF i bought a new VAQ, I probably would leave it stock.
Around town riding is one thing, lately been taking long rides and overnights.
200 300 a day. NEEDED 12' windshield. have a stock seat and stock gel seat, gonna cut one up (lost of websites on that mod). radio was worthless.
Blue tooth amp and BIG speakers, with the adapters, are sweet.

So I could easily agree with someone NOT modding the Air/Exhaust/ECU.
Depends on use. I am actually keeping an eye out for a 2015+ Road Glide
The new Hondas and Yamahas are a LOT of bike for the money, a little to futuristic in the front fairing for my taste.To Sport Bike looking.
If I can find a killer deal, I'll get the HD.
The Vaquero and Road Glide are more Bagger looking.

I just moved from Los Angeles to Phoenix.....HOLY CRAP is HOT.
We all talk about how hot the bike gets. Someone asked WHY did they put a "steam gauge" on a bike. Havent heard of a breakdown due to heat tho...
I gotta laugh...my right calf touches the casing and some times feels like its burning....when I touch the casing with my hand, it dosent seem hot enough to burn (?)
Ill try my hand at making some aluminum Heat Shields. $140 is a little steep, but probably worth it ! very clean design