vaquero temperature

jeremyshack · 08-10-2011, 04:59 PM

ok...i am riding in 103 - 107 degree temps in north Louisiana. i have a new vaquero that has(1500 miles now). the temp. gage stays around 3/4 of hot and even a bit higher when stopped at red light. Should i be concerned or is this normal for this kind of heat for this bike. it never reaches the "red" zone.

jwg383 · 08-10-2011, 05:09 PM

I rode a Vaq as a loaner for about 600 miles while my nomad was in the shop. This was in central Mississippi during the late spring. I did notice the temp gauge reading fairly high. It never ran hot, but the gauge always read higher than I thought it should have. My opinion is that its just the way the gauge reads and the bike isn't actually that hot. At least I never had any indication that mine was hot. For what its worth.

cactusjack · 08-10-2011, 05:30 PM

These are things we didn't concern ourselves with when we rode bikes that only had idiot lights instead of gauges. If it doesn't read in the danger zone, don't sweat it.

Sin City Stan · 08-10-2011, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

These are things we didn't concern ourselves with when we rode bikes that only had idiot lights instead of gauges. If it doesn't read in the danger zone, don't sweat it.

Go forth and ride. Ignorance is bliss.

Like Scott said, if it's not in the red there isn't a problem.

jeremyshack · 08-10-2011, 05:52 PM

thanks...peace of mind is a great thing!

VulcanE · 08-10-2011, 07:12 PM

As you put more miles on it, and everything gets broke in good, it will start to run cooler, your just wearing the "NEW" off of it now.

**jestephens** · 08-10-2011, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyshack

ok...i am riding in 103 - 107 degree temps in north Louisiana. i have a new vaquero that has(1500 miles now). the temp. gage stays around 3/4 of hot and even a bit higher when stopped at red light. Should i be concerned or is this normal for this kind of heat for this bike. it never reaches the "red" zone.

Mine reads the same, around 3/4. I'm at about 800 miles. I laughed when I saw this thread because just today when I got home, I shot the infra-red thermometer at the cylinder heads and they read 180 deg F, which doesn't sound excessive.

I've read in another thread that aftermarket exhaust really cools things down. Those catalytic converters get hot themselves and the sluggish exhaust flow keep the engine hot too. ??? They say the cooling fan comes on half as much with replaced exhaust too.

azcruizer · 08-10-2011, 11:28 PM

Just ride it and enjoy it. My Vaquero with 5,000 miles usually runs about 3/4 towards hot. I can tell you though, with the PC5 and air kit the cooling fan seems to run less

rickyboy · 08-10-2011, 11:47 PM

Another member {"midge"} a friend of mine,... has a 2010 Voyager and he was concerned with the same problem. Apparently Kawasaki has an issue with the gauge and his dealer said it wasn't something "midge" should worry about. ................and he doesn't!!! He rode it from Calgary to Maple Falls WA with no issues. The temp. gauge got almost to the red line but never crossed over it.

**trip** · 08-11-2011, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

These are things we didn't concern ourselves with when we rode bikes that only had idiot lights instead of gauges. If it doesn't read in the danger zone, don't sweat it.

Ditto....... If it's not getting in the red zone... don't worry.

shivanurse · 08-11-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azcruizer

Just ride it and enjoy it. My Vaquero with 5,000 miles usually runs about 3/4 towards hot. I can tell you though, with the PC5 and air kit the cooling fan seems to run less

Mines running the same way after 5K trip to Canada and back... Hey Jim you like the PC5? Does it make a huge difference? I'd like to change pipes and air box but wondering if PC would be the best first investment.....

azcruizer · 08-11-2011, 12:21 PM

Yes, I really like the PC5. Honestly, you're not going to see the best results without an air intake kit to go along with the PC5. That combination with a good map will net you about 12hp and a bit cooler running bike. Adding aftermarket pipes will add about 3-4 more hp.

Grump · 02-28-2012, 01:34 PM

First let's discuss the useless coolant temp gauge. The Gauge is marked C, \ , \ , | , / , / , H. The "|" is at the 12 o'clock position. At the one o'clock is a "/" and corresponds to 198F (+ or - 5F) and is where the fan comes on.

When I first got my Vaq in Oct 11, the bike would run right at 198F around town, blowing lots of hot air on me, but on the freeway she'd cool off to "|" which, as near as I can figure, is 37.5F cooler; 160F. This is with an ambient temp of 90F max.

Just an aside, my Harley runs at 200F most of the time, freeway or city.

I think part of Kawasaki's problem is the 'clocking' of the gauge's normal range. If 198 is normal operating temp around town, then the scale division for 198 should be at the 12 o'clock position.

Roadie · 02-29-2012, 03:07 PM

Rode my Vaquero all summer long here in Central Texas last year, over 90 days above 100 degrees and over 30 of those days at over 112 degrees plus.

My bike never overheated, even in traffic it never got over the 3/4 mark. Running a Tornado Air Kit, PCv, Cobra Tri-Ovals, and Amsoil Oil helps it run cooler overall.

elvis · 02-29-2012, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grump

...If 198 is normal operating temp around town, then the scale division for 198 should be at the 12 o'clock position...

Makes sense.

08-10-2011, 04:59 PM	#1
jeremyshack Jr. Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Monroe, LA Posts: 19	vaquero temperature ok...i am riding in 103 - 107 degree temps in north Louisiana. i have a new vaquero that has(1500 miles now). the temp. gage stays around 3/4 of hot and even a bit higher when stopped at red light. Should i be concerned or is this normal for this kind of heat for this bike. it never reaches the "red" zone. __________________ 2011 Vaquero Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-10-2011, 05:09 PM	#2
jwg383 Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mississippi Posts: 95	vaquero temperature I rode a Vaq as a loaner for about 600 miles while my nomad was in the shop. This was in central Mississippi during the late spring. I did notice the temp gauge reading fairly high. It never ran hot, but the gauge always read higher than I thought it should have. My opinion is that its just the way the gauge reads and the bike isn't actually that hot. At least I never had any indication that mine was hot. For what its worth. __________________
	0

08-10-2011, 05:30 PM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	vaquero temperature These are things we didn't concern ourselves with when we rode bikes that only had idiot lights instead of gauges. If it doesn't read in the danger zone, don't sweat it. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

08-10-2011, 05:52 PM	#5
jeremyshack Jr. Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Monroe, LA Posts: 19	vaquero temperature thanks...peace of mind is a great thing! __________________ 2011 Vaquero Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-10-2011, 07:12 PM	#6
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	vaquero temperature As you put more miles on it, and everything gets broke in good, it will start to run cooler, your just wearing the "NEW" off of it now. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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08-10-2011, 11:28 PM	#8
azcruizer Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 133	vaquero temperature Just ride it and enjoy it. My Vaquero with 5,000 miles usually runs about 3/4 towards hot. I can tell you though, with the PC5 and air kit the cooling fan seems to run less __________________ Jim Lohman Gilbert, AZ 2013 Vision Tour 2011 Vaquero-sold
	0

08-10-2011, 11:47 PM	#9
rickyboy Top Contributor Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 108 Mile Ranch B.C. Canada Posts: 5,472	vaquero temperature Another member {"midge"} a friend of mine,... has a 2010 Voyager and he was concerned with the same problem. Apparently Kawasaki has an issue with the gauge and his dealer said it wasn't something "midge" should worry about. ................and he doesn't!!! He rode it from Calgary to Maple Falls WA with no issues. The temp. gauge got almost to the red line but never crossed over it. __________________ Nomad'a What ! "rickyboy" Richard Cole Canada West Region 108 Mile Ranch, British Columbia Canada Vulcan Bagger Assoc. #00722 Black 2006 Nomad https://cdn2.iconfinder.com/data/ico...Book_32x32.png
	0

08-11-2011, 12:21 PM	#12
azcruizer Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 133	vaquero temperature Yes, I really like the PC5. Honestly, you're not going to see the best results without an air intake kit to go along with the PC5. That combination with a good map will net you about 12hp and a bit cooler running bike. Adding aftermarket pipes will add about 3-4 more hp. __________________ Jim Lohman Gilbert, AZ 2013 Vision Tour 2011 Vaquero-sold
	0

02-28-2012, 01:34 PM	#13
Grump Jr. Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 39	First let's discuss the useless coolant temp gauge. The Gauge is marked C, \ , \ , \| , / , / , H. The "\|" is at the 12 o'clock position. At the one o'clock is a "/" and corresponds to 198F (+ or - 5F) and is where the fan comes on. When I first got my Vaq in Oct 11, the bike would run right at 198F around town, blowing lots of hot air on me, but on the freeway she'd cool off to "\|" which, as near as I can figure, is 37.5F cooler; 160F. This is with an ambient temp of 90F max. Just an aside, my Harley runs at 200F most of the time, freeway or city. I think part of Kawasaki's problem is the 'clocking' of the gauge's normal range. If 198 is normal operating temp around town, then the scale division for 198 should be at the 12 o'clock position. __________________ . . Grump Sergeant at Arms, Chapter 32-1 Combat Vets Motorcycle Association
	0

02-29-2012, 03:07 PM	#14
Roadie Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Wimberley, Texas (Austin) Posts: 69	Rode my Vaquero all summer long here in Central Texas last year, over 90 days above 100 degrees and over 30 of those days at over 112 degrees plus. My bike never overheated, even in traffic it never got over the 3/4 mark. Running a Tornado Air Kit, PCv, Cobra Tri-Ovals, and Amsoil Oil helps it run cooler overall. __________________ . Roadie 2011 Vaquero "Magia Negra" Black is Faster Amsoil Oil TLC Bag Liners PH Custom Bag Bras Power Commander V Cobra Tri-Oval SlipOns Thunder Tornado Air Kit Madcorider Oil Tempstick Marvellas Trailer Hitch Kit Rumbling Pride Flag Mounts Sage Brush Leather Tank Bib Grasshopper Drivers Backrest Classic's Engine/Road Bar Chaps Cee Bailey's 9" Smoked Windscreen 4 Wheels Move the Body ..... 2 Wheels Move the Soul
	0

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