What do you do when your stuck in traffic with the air cooled motor when it's 95 degrees plus, shut it down or lane split? I'm just asking because it isn't much of an issue up here in the great white north but soon will be as I head south.
95 F?!?!?! Don't worry about it, the bike should do fine. When it's over 110 F (in the shade) do you start thinking about options. Because it's not the bike you're worried about. It's when YOU start overheating is the issue (trust me on this).
My 06 Adventure pegged the RID in a slow-moving traffic jam and it was only 79 degrees outside. I don't know if some other light was supposed to come on or not. At that point, I just started driving on the shoulder. Big rigs tried to run me off the road and keep me from passing, but the heck with that. I was prepared to drive down the median at that point. On the 12k service, they said the oil was extremely black. As far as oil, zero, nada, nothing used. I may stick with dino if this continues. However, if DC traffic gets the temp up there, synthetic is the way to go, along with some type of fan.
I was in bumper to bumper traffic yesterday for at least an hour. The temp was in the 90s. Temp gauge never went above the halfway mark. Come to think of it, my gauge has never gone over the halfway point.
Yesterday the Mass Pike was at a standstill in 90 degree weather, and the bike was getting hot. (Not to mention me and my pillion ... ATGATT sucks at times like that.) I rode down the emergency lane a mile or so to a rest stop. The worst thing is that some 18 wheeler had pulled most of the way into the emergency lane to block people from "cheating." Asshat. I slipped by him, but it sure scared the hell out of my girlfriend! I expect more sense from truckers.
What is it with these self-righeous a-holes out there. The self imposed guardians of laws and rules? Do they not have anything better to do than to mind other people's business? Even here in California where lane splittig is legal, people sometimes block you off for no apparent reason. Back to the regular program. In the heat I split lanes, ride the shoulder or coast the bike down hill to keep it from overheating. Still I do not think I have been higher than about 7 bars on the RID.
Thanks guys, not being familiar with splitting it seems like it could get sketchy sometimes:eek1 (doors opening and what not).
My '05 12GS is the coolest running bike I've ever owned. Was out yesterday during the hottest part of the day. 95 degrees and the temp gauge never moved above half-way. However, even though lane splitting is illegal in New England, I still do it when I'm in gridlock. And yes, people get very pissed off that I am moving and they are not. Fug'em.
My 05 R1200GS nevers gets to half-way on the temperature display even in stop and go traffic at 110 F or going up the hills with (over 400 pound load) in Death Valley where they tell you to turn off your air conditioning to keep from overheating your car.
It happens, but it is pretty rare. Lots of cars will see you and make room to let you by. Most are oblivious. Following another rider who is splitting can help. Also don't split when traffic is slowing, as drivers tend to dive for "faster" lanes without looking. Wait till traffic is settled.
Splitting here leads to the emergency room, from what I can see. I've only had to pull over once, but that oil was toast and had to be replaced ASAP. It's a constant worry in summer stop-n-go down here. When it becomes more stop than go, sometimes I switch off.
Hey, my argument is that although they're not moving as fast as I am, at least they have air conditioning!!! I don't know how high my temp gauge goes, but on my '06 12GS there is a tiny black dot/arrow directly to the left of the temperature blips about 2/3rd up. My bike gets up there routinely when I'm in NYC traffic. Does anyone know if there are indeed more blips beyond that point?
Be careful, the handle bars are very wide. It has been my experience that some cagers will box you in to prevent you from passing them. Use caution.
Ditto that. 95 degrees is no big deal. I have 110 degree heat in afternoon and in rush hour traffic its okay. Of your two choices, though, I'd lane split.