cool off my k75

[marvhil]

I am thinking of ways to cool off my k75RT. I am going to a 40/60 antifreeze mix and adding water wetter. I am also going to try 10/40 syn oil rather than the 15/50 that I have been using. This new to me bike seems to run very hot and since I rarely ride in very hot weather or traffic I think these changes will help me and not hurt the bike. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[PAULBACH]

I also own one of these beautiful machines. Everything one could want in a ride and one thing you don't want - lots of heat courtesy of that fairing. But there is a solution to keep the ride cooler.

Air Wings (http://www.bakerbuilt.com/bmw.htm) Have them on my K75RT and they do make a difference.

[roncooper]

The AIR WINGS for the K RTs are obsolete. When I bought mine last year they said once the stock is sold there will be no more made.

I had to add extra insulation and a tank bra to get my 75RT ridable above 85 degrees.

[breyfogle]

I am thinking of ways to cool off my k75RT. Any thoughts? Thanks.

IMO, changing the coolant mix or oil specs will not make any noticable difference at all. K-bikes feel hot to the rider because (1) the exhaust headers are only a few inches from your left foot and (2) airflow thru the radiator. About the only thing you can change is the airflow thru the fairing using devices like AirWings or their home made equivalent.

K-bike engines actually don't run hot at all (in the sense that they almost never need the radiator fan to run). If your rad fan runs frequently, you have a mechanical problem.

[marvhil]

I have a k75s as well and have only heard the fan go on once or twice in the 16 yrs I have had it. I haven't heard the fan on the RT either I just hoped to get the temp down a little. I just ordered Baker wings, hoping they still have a set for this bike. When the outside air temp goes above 75 or so the RT is not fun. I have tried to chose the correct bike for the temp but it does not always work out.
Thanks, Marv

[98lee]

The K75S is ALWAYS the correct bike.:stick


:dance :dance :dance

[bikerfish1100]

best heat fix i could find for my K11RS....
a combination of a minimalist machine and 9,000+ ft altitude.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q13/bikerfish1100/ducatchurch2.jpg
Perfect.

Switching to 10W40 would not be a great idea, unless you live in a very cold climate. 20W50 is spec'd for a temp range of 15F to 105F. Do you consistently ride outside of those parameters? if so, use a different wieght oil. Otherwise, not a good choice. 10W40 is spec'd for -20F to 40F.

[BuddingGeezer]

The early K bikes with a fairing are hot,hot,hot. If you actually managed to lower the coolant temp the fuel injection computer would just run a richer fuel mixture. less gas mileage and more carbon build up in the engine, possibly fuel diluted oil.

The heat is why I sold my K100LT. I got tired of 120 degree fairing temp on a 90 degree day, but it would be great now.

Ralph Sims

[tvguy]

My K110RT gave me the excuse for buying a "summer" bike. :brow

On my way in to work this morning it was 32 F, I never needed to turn on the vest behind the mighty K110RT fairing....