Modify message

The message has the following error or errors that must be corrected before continuing:
Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 180 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.
Attachments: (Clear attachments)
Restrictions: 6 per post (6 remaining), maximum total size 64.00 MB, maximum individual size 29.30 MB
Uncheck the attachments you no longer want attached
Click or drag files here to attach them.
(Clear attachments)
Other options
Shortcuts: ALT+S post or ALT+P preview

Topic summary

Posted by pcarrell
 - October 17, 2012, 11:35:51 AM

Mine kicks on once in a while, but I run a good sized fork bag so my radiator probably doesn't get as much air forced into it.  Even at that, it only sometimes comes on in traffic.  Out on the open road.....never.

Posted by 49Reo
 - October 17, 2012, 10:59:20 AM

I have had my fan kick in once in all the time I've owned mine, and I had to deliberately work it hard lugging it up an incline to get it to kick in. I was trying to get it to kick in because it had never run.

Regards and such,
49Reo

Posted by pcarrell
 - October 17, 2012, 09:59:03 AM

I've noticed some heat, but not excessive.  I have V&H pipes, and on hot days in stop & go it can get a bit toasty, but that's about it.

As for the shocks, solo I run a "3" setting at 23lbs.  Like riding on a cloud!  2up I go to "4" and up the pressure to 38.  When the wife and I were a bit heavier I bumped it up to 41lbs.

Posted by jmbo
 - October 17, 2012, 08:59:28 AM

Haven't ridden mine in hot weather yet but after riding a HD and sitting at a stop sign thinking my pants were on fire, how bad can it be.

Posted by espiros
 - August 28, 2012, 14:58:27 PM

Thank you Chief,
I have found that 30 is the "magic" number for me....regardless if I'm Riding alone (220 pounds) or with the girlfriend (120 pounds) a total of 340 those times...

Posted by chief
 - August 28, 2012, 11:18:35 AM

The working pressure range for the shocks, according to Kawasaki, is 0 to 43 psi.

They warn you not to exceed 71 psi as you will pop the seals if you do. Some people have assumed that meant you could go to 70. Remember, when you hit a bump/pothole etc the pressure inside the shock spikes. During these spikes you don't want to exceed 71 psi, so I assume the kaw engineers have determined 43psi provides the appropriate margin of safety.
When I had them I ran the at 45psi max.
Posted by Troll
 - August 28, 2012, 09:38:01 AM

Don't go over 50 psi...and with just you, 30 will be fine. I'm running 25 and happy .  Rebound set at 4 will help minimize shaft jacking and rear lift during heavy braking.

Posted by espiros
 - August 28, 2012, 09:27:22 AM

Hi there,
I had the same questions about the 1500 Drifter.
Hottter than others.....Yes, but...Lot nicer than all!
So, I'm happy and just remeber to move my leg little bit out the pipes (V&H)
Shocks.....
I had the same problem, last 2 owners never check the air pressure in those shocks...I'm 220 so...The first time I rode it, it tough there was something wrong with them.
After I move them to the 4th position and put air in them (30 PSI) now I feel like I'm in a Cadillac....
And, I read somewhere that you could go all up to 70 PSI in those shocks....Just try to inflate them and you will feel the difference

Posted by Slave to the lens
 - August 26, 2012, 21:41:12 PM

Los Angeles here, and my fan comes on sometimes during stop and go 1st through 3rd traffic light traffic, but it's often when it's already 90 out.

Posted by waltervl
 - August 23, 2012, 05:45:30 AM

I heard my fan switch on only once in the year that I have my Drifter now, and that after a long hot summer ride with passenger in the hills and it switched on in a traffic jam in a small village.

Posted by 45 Bravo
 - August 22, 2012, 19:08:17 PM

I agree with chief, My 99's fan never came on in the first 8 months i owned it.

FINALLY, one day i was slowly cruising through a campground in first gear, when it came on.
My friends 800 classic's fan had been running for several minutes before mine came on.

In just normal daily operations (that doesn't involve extended traffic stops) it shouldn't come on.

Good Luck.

45 Bravo

Posted by chief
 - August 22, 2012, 16:31:54 PM

A couple of things... all engines have a temperature range at which they operate best. With liquid cooled, you get cooling regardless of wind/ambient temps. That's a good thing. However, at slow speeds the bike depends upon the electric fan. This fan operates within a certain temp range. Slow speed runs will cause the engine to get hotter and will activate the fan... this is going to be at the upper temperature range.

Our bikes' fan doesn't run much, almost never during routine riding situations.
Posted by mbk
 - August 22, 2012, 15:26:37 PM
Quote from: waltervl on August 22, 2012, 11:28:46 AM

Just got home from my work (20 min drive) and felt the airbox covers. Hand warm, definitely not hot. Left even warmer then right (warmed by engine air intake?) The left one is the air intake and filter, right is not real airbox intake,  has no filter and it gets its air from the left one.

But after 15 min sitting in the garage I felt again and then both got the heat of the engine and felt hot.
Temperature outside here is 25 degrees C now (nice drive weather :))

So perhaps you felt it while running to engine without driving some time?

This is helpful because I was just taking it for short jaunts in first and second, maybe third, int he subdivision -- lots of low speed driving, no chance for rushing air to cool it off.  I thought a liquid cooled engine was to run cooler, but then this is a lot of engine and even my car engine, liquid cooled and all, is hot when I am driving it.  Now it's just a matter of going for an extended ride and seeing ift hat is better.  Thanks to everyone for answering this, it's really helpful.  Mike
Posted by ChilliDrift
 - August 22, 2012, 11:43:03 AM

Took a road thrip over 4th of July on my 99. We went through mts and traffic before my radiator fan came on. I was beginning to think it didnt work. But I have V&H Longshots on mine and man they do get hot Me and Sweetie have matching burn scars.. But I think its all normal. No major heat from the air covers. But there is a decent ammt of heat comming up between your legs.  I love my 99. Enjoy.

Posted by waltervl
 - August 22, 2012, 11:28:46 AM

Just got home from my work (20 min drive) and felt the airbox covers. Hand warm, definitely not hot. Left even warmer then right (warmed by engine air intake?) The left one is the air intake and filter, right is not real airbox intake,  has no filter and it gets its air from the left one.

But after 15 min sitting in the garage I felt again and then both got the heat of the engine and felt hot.
Temperature outside here is 25 degrees C now (nice drive weather :))

So perhaps you felt it while running to engine without driving some time?

SMF spam blocked by CleanTalk