Heat and bumper-to-bumper traffic

[chet8625]

So I've started working in the city and now get stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. With temps in the triple digits and sitting on a 1400 Softail I've been getting a lot hotter than ever before.

Any suggestions how to reduce heat off the exhaust or keep cooler until I get to highway speeds again?

[SpitefulHam]

I dont know man, Im struggling with the same thing at the moment. I have a 110 mile round trip, some of it in slow traffic, someon highways and some on backroads. The slow traffic is killer, even on a liquid cooled 600cc sport tourer. I cant imagine what it would be like on your bike. Im half tempted to take off the jacket and kevlar jeans... I do value my skin though. Im going out to get a camelback to put in my backpack on my rides. Staying hydrated is a serious issue in these very high temps. Im also contemplating wearing a damp bandana/doorag under my helmet. The last thing I came up with jus this afternoon was getting a coue of those freezer packs, those things you freeze and place in coolers, and putting them in my jacket pockets on the ride. With the air circulation through the vents it will hopefully act as a poor mans AC. LOL

[Midnightrider]

try 1 of these http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/360/46499/ITEM/Fly-Racing-Cooling-Vest.aspx?SiteID=Google_PLA360&WT.mc_ID=10012&esvt =0-GOUSC&esvadt=9-0-3886819-1&esvaid=30548&zmam=88421133&zmas=1&zmac=45&zmap=4 07394&kw={keyword}&gclid=CJbL2t6T47ACFQOFnQodi1ct0 w

as for the heat of the motor I don't have a clue...

[distantThunder]

been there ... done that.
still happens in CA - but worse in Vegas.

you need to install an oil cooler on the engine of your bike.
look up JAGG oil coolers. Definitely helps.

not much you can do - except go with lighter cooler gear.
and drink more liquids. maybe put a drink holder on your bike
and freeze a sports bottle before you leave home.

dT

[sanford]

Any way to avoid peak traffic hours .... even if may take a few extra hours?

[z9nine]

RIDE NAKED. You will not be as hot, and people will get out of your way because they think you are insane.


Another thing that may help, if you are able to work what ever hours as long as you get the min. look into going in later and getting off later.

[Bede5man]

I got arrested for riding naked.

[goalie]

I ride a naked bike. Never ridden one with substantial fairings. I assume the existence of the fairing substantially reduces the wind/nature's air conditioning that gets to the rider?

[goalie]

Anybody used the hydration vests while actually wearing work clothes?

[OldGuy]

Not good for an air cooled motor either. Seems to me the oil
will break down much faster, besides other damage.

[joelh]

I feel your pain. I was caught in a bit of traffic yesterday while the outside temp was 94. The heat from the cylinders (boxer engine) was absolutely cooking my shins. I finally was able to get to a side street and to the way long way home, just to keep moving.

[vito]

Take a car. Unless you have no options, riding a motorcycle is supposed to be fun, and regardless of the weather, riding in bumper-to-bumper traffic is no fun. Add the heat and its really a pain. You might consider, just before leaving work to come home, soak your t-shirt in cold water. That can help for awhile as the water evaporates and keeps you a bit cooler. I don't think there is anything that can be done to significantly change the heat issue from the engine. Years ago when I lived in south Texas, I was stuck in heavy traffic in mid-day at 106 degrees. Between the heat of the sun, the heat coming up from the asphalt, and the heat of the engine of my bike I almost passed out. I finally was able to squeeze out of the traffic and rode in the shoulder just to keep moving even though it risked a ticket. As much as I love riding, the bike does not come out now when the temps are too high unless I know I will be on an open road.

[markk53]

Originally Posted by sanford

Any way to avoid peak traffic hours .... even if may take a few extra hours?

That and maybe do some mapping for an alternate less direct, but less travelled route. It is always a bit more enjoyable taking the long way home on a bike.

But in a lot of urban situations it is just a pain on the freeways. There are more circuitous (fifty cent word there) ways through residential and business areas that may be a bit more cumbersome in most cases, but are still flowing any time of day. You would usually avoid them, but it may be a good alternate route, through town vs the freeway. I'd much more prefer riding further through town, keeping moving for the most part, than sit in traffic on a four-six lane road. Better yet if I can get to the less dense suburban outskirts and do an end around,

Then there was the advice my brother gave me on driving the Dan Ryan Parkway from one end to the other - if you are hitting it at rush hour you may as well pull off, go to a restaurant, get a cup of coffee or soda, read a newspaper or book for an hour or so, then go back out after rush hour, you will get from one end to the other in the same amount of time.

[Team Elkhorn]

You know, they've been making liquid cooled bikes for years now.
The bad part about liquids though, is when that radiator fan kicks on at a stop light.

[Dodsfall]

I think a legislative push for lane-splitting in more states is in order.

[distantThunder]

DodsFall ... definitely. That's something that the AMA should be pushing. Evin if it's just "limited lane splitting" when traffic is stopped at a light, it's better than nothing.

OldGuy ... yeah that's my situation. A big air-cooled V-twin.
That's why I installed the oil cooler.

dT

[Cool The Kid]

Lane split or pull off

[Eye_m_no_angel]

Originally Posted by chet8625

So I've started working in the city and now get stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. With temps in the triple digits and sitting on a 1400 Softail I've been getting a lot hotter than ever before.

Any suggestions how to reduce heat off the exhaust or keep cooler until I get to highway speeds again?

What year is your bike?