Running hot

[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