Heat Issues At Knees/thighs.

[Newchamp]

GB and Spain have moderate climates. Triumph engineers should do some testing in Arizona and Florida or Louisiana in mid summer. They would quickly learn what heat is like to a rider.

There's a reason why many automotive manufactures have their proving grounds out here.

 

[CarlS]

There's a reason why many automotive manufactures have their proving grounds out here.

I definitely agree.

 

[Newchamp]

I recieved the deflectors and the Kydex sheets today. After about 30 minutes I made a very crude oversized version of the deflector. I haven't installed either to test but I will in the next few days. I know it ain't pretty. My first ever attempt using Kydex. Also temps are finally starting to go below 100* for the high.

 

[Newchamp]

I mounted the crude homemade oversized deflectors today. I mounted using "Scotch Mount Extreme" double sided tape as I wanted it to be non destructive and fairly easy to remove. Ambient temperature at the time of the ride was 97*F. I could definitely tell there was reduced perceived heat at the knees and inner calf area. If in a relaxed position with my legs about an inch from gripping the tank I could feel a little extra heat on the far outside part of the knee. Moving my hand from directly in front of my knee while riding to outside of it there was a definite noticeable difference.

One issue of concern that I had not thought about that was brought to my attention by a product developer of an aftermarket manufacturer. That is the potential for airflow restriction resulting in decreased engine cooling and higher operating temperatures. I contacted them (I'm not sure if I can say the company name) to see if there was potential for product development. While my ride today was only around 45 minutes at slow speeds, around 35 m.p.h, I saw no difference in the temperature gauge reading from without the deflectors mounted. There is no actual numbers indicating degrees, but once it reached 4 and 1/2 bars on the dash it stayed there.

The one I made for the right side is a little larger than the one on the left and the angle of deflection on the right was greater as well so I think I could tell a slight difference as far as the flow, but that could be my imagination or expectation. If it were designed by CAD and made without binder clips, putty knives, rulers as a straight edge, aka properly, it would be more aesthetically pleasing and probably more effective.

 

[turbohawk]

I mounted the crude homemade oversized deflectors today. I mounted using "Scotch Mount Extreme" double sided tape

Does Triumph use a wind tunnel? Anyone know?

 

[Newchamp]

Today I was thinking how to make the deflector look better and also to fill in the gap at the top portion( IMG_374). I then thought of using both of the deflectors I purchased and arrange them in a V shape(IMG_377). They don't fit quite right in that configuration but have the general shape. I do have plenty of Kydex left over so I think I'll use that as a mold/template. This would also give additional points to use the mounting tape for stability.

 

[Newchamp]

I made a jig to hold the aluminum deflectors I bought so I could be a little more hands free while molding. There's a couple of images of all 3 for the right hand side, smallest being the aluminum I bought, middle is my first attempt and the largest the one I used the jig for. Here's a couple of photos of the one using the jig on the bike.

 

[sikatri]

Nice!

 

[turbohawk]

I'm beginning to wonder if you do this to all your new bikes?

 

[Newchamp]

I'm beginning to wonder if you do this to all your new bikes?

On all the others prior it's been always about adding extra goodies but always improving the riding experience. Just so happens this time it's about redirecting the 15,000 watt hair dryer on high heat blowing at the legs. I'll admit I have ridden a couple of times where temps were in the high 60's and low 70's*F and it's not an issue then, in fact it's quite nice. Anything above 90*F I can really feel it. Year to date we've had 85 days at 100*F+, 51 days above 105*F and 18 days above 110*F so anything I can do to help my own comfort I will gladly spend some time on.

 

[turbohawk]

Good luck.

 

[Newchamp]

While at the dealership today I noticed the Tiger 1200 has factory deflectors that vent out and away from the knee area. I'm not sure how well they work but something like that on the 900 would certainly help the issue.

 

[Hookalatch]

While at the dealership today I noticed the Tiger 1200 has factory deflectors that vent out and away from the knee area. I'm not sure how well they work but something like that on the 900 would certainly help the issue.

I appreciate the efforts you are making to improve the the hot air flow. Despite the doubters that feel their experience applies to everyone, apparently a good many of us experience considerable discomfort from the radiator heat. I have been riding for 60+ years on a large number of different bikes and never felt anything like this before. On my water cooled Bonneville I could feel a warm breeze at a stop if the fans came on but it wasn't really unpleasant. The hair dryer analogy is pretty close to what I feel on my Tiger.

Chuck

 

[sikatri]

I appreciate the efforts you are making to improve the the hot air flow. Despite the doubters that feel their experience applies to everyone, apparently a good many of us experience considerable discomfort from the radiator heat. I have been riding for 60+ years on a large number of different bikes and never felt anything like this before. On my water cooled Bonneville I could feel a warm breeze at a stop if the fans came on but it wasn't really unpleasant. The hair dryer analogy is pretty close to what I feel on my Tiger.

Chuck

Everyone’s tolerance and sensitivity is different. I appreciate the OP looking at solutions. Hopefully it will help others later on that have the same issue. OP, keep us updated.

 

[Rubens]

While at the dealership today I noticed the Tiger 1200 has factory deflectors that vent out and away from the knee area. I'm not sure how well they work but something like that on the 900 would certainly help the issue.

This is interesting. What are the chances that Triumph might make a similar deflector for the 900? Perhaps as an accessory for those that wanted one.

 

[Newchamp]

After riding all winter here in the desert southwest I must admit it is a comfortable ride when temps are 80* and below. That being said I know the 100*F+ heat is coming. I have a friend who has a 3D printer and was looking for a project to work with CAD. I asked him if he was willing to give a shot making a deflector and he agreed. I removed the radiator cowl Triumph part(T2311712) so he could scan it. He came up with a great idea to attach without holes or even double stick tape and can be easily removed to test and reshape to get a balance of form and well as function.

Here is the first prototype he made. Once we do some testing, reshaping, adjust deflection angles if needed for efficiency and aesthetics he will print out using the same plastic type and infill as the rest of the bike.

 

[brooke]

If you could make it adjustable that would be neat . There are lots of days where the extra heat is welcome , saves putting on the heated leggings .

 

[oldjack]

Hello,
I just bought my 23 T900 GT pro 3 days ago after months of consideration. My concerns I wanted to pay close attention to on my test ride were a couple of things I've seen brought up throughout various forum posts, YouTube videos etc. Those are vibrations and heat at knees.

The vibration that has been brought up doesn't seem to be an issue any more than any other bike, but I believe the heat issue on the legs is. I know there are some aftermarket shields to redirect air coming from the radiator fans away from the knees but I don't think that's the issue. The heat is coming from the frame. So if your legs are tucked against the tank and frame that's where the heat seems to be coming from. I measured the temperature of various parts of the frame with a laser thermometer after riding for about 30 minutes and letting the bike sit for about ten minutes. I will attach a picture to show what I found.

The area highlighted red on the frame temperatures were around 170* F(77*C) and the areas highlighted yellow were around 150*F(66*C). That seems high to be placing your inner thigh on when you grip the tank even with gear on. Of course the cylinder head is right there also which will obviously be hot but that is recessed and your leg doesn't make direct contact with that but probably contributes a fair amount to the issue. A solution might be some plastic fairing highlighted in blue to cover that area. I will bring up this information at the dealer and see what they respond with. View attachment 55836

I have done 26.000 kilometres on mine, was noticeable in slow moving traffic when fan was on, I just moved my legs out a bit, but have forgotten about it now. Went to the supermarket the other day in 37degrees C. (with shorts on), and didn't notice it , I think the cat throws a lot of heat up as well, but it's great in the winter. I read a lot of heat,/ vibration issues, but really this is maybe the best bike, most comfortable & fun that I've had in my 60 years of riding & about 55 bikes (that I can remember!) Just enjoy it!

 

[oldjack]

I set out to take actual temperature measurements of the area by the vents since the temps on the area by the frame have already been taken and honestly removing that cover between the radiators helped get some air flow in that area to dissipate some of that heat. As stated earlier I didn't notice the areas by the vents as much prior because the area by the frame was where it seemed to be originating, especially since my inner leg/thigh make direct contact with the frame there with only the pant in between.

Here is the setup I used with probe placement, where my knees are in the riding position and my results. Ambient temp was 90*F. I couldn't take a picture of the thermometer display while riding.

I rode until bike was up to operating temperature. Temperatures while riding around 35 mph ranged from 140*F when the fans were off and 155*F when the fans were on. The pictures below were while stopped at idle(IMG_285) and while revving at 2,500 rpm(IMG_299). I have already ordered the deflectors for that area and am awaiting delivery. I think by redirecting that airflow out and away will help but not sure how much.

I am just at 256 miles on the clock in 14 days of ownership. Might this not be the right bike for me? Maybe, but nearly all motorcycle dealers don't allow test rides(for insurance reasons they say) and I was only allowed a 4 mile "guided" test ride on this bike. I researched bikes as much as I could for nearly a year prior to purchase but that is no substitute for hands on experience.

I am just trying to figure out potential solutions for what I am experiencing before it gets to the sell the bike and take a few thousand dollar loss. If someone else doesn't experience a similar issue, great. If I can help someone resolve a similar issue with theirs even better.

Dare I say " harden up Princess" ? I'm sorry, I don't live in Texas , but we get zero C. to 42 c. in Australia, all bikes get hot . I'd suggest riding it for a while, run it in, then give it some stick & you'll forget about these issues?

 

[brooke]

Dare I say " harden up Princess" ? I'm sorry, I don't live in Texas , but we get zero C. to 42 c. in Australia, all bikes get hot . I'd suggest riding it for a while, run it in, then give it some stick & you'll forget about these issues?

We rode a couple of hiway hours in northern Nova Scotia last year , 33 c and it was unbearable . Must be the humidity up here but 28 or so is as high as I would call comfortable . These new engines make more power , more heat is just a biproduct . Maybe a 400 next time .