*Yesterday I bought a 2008 ZX 14. *While riding it today, I noticed that the temp gauge stayed near the top the whole time. *It never got hot enough to show me the warning light or high temp warning. *I was feeling a lot of heat on my legs though. *What range should the temperature gauge be in for cruising around at 45 miles an hour in 75° weather?
I wouldn't get too worried just yet. A new '08 ZX-14 with stock pipes should run at 5 bars in 75 F weather at lower speeds. 3 cats, big motor, tight motor, high ambient temp. I would expect it to drop to 4 bars maybe 3 if you get up to 65-70 mph for 25 30 minutes. One of the things this bike is known for is a LOT of heat. You will feel it on your legs. Normal.
My new 08 ran at 5 bars in the hot weather. That is with just one bar left open at the top, bar 1 has the [C] on it, 3 bars is dead center and that is normal operating temp for a broke in bike in 70 F air. 6 bars is all the way to the top. Never saw that with the engine running.
Pretty sure I saw 6 bars and the high temp icon flash on the multifunc meter after shutdown. The engine gets even hotter with the fluid not circulating.
ZX-10 fender might help some. Not going to help with aeros but if you are not going over 160 mph prolly not too big a deal. I don't recommend the coolant additives that keep your engine temp down. Too hard to monitor the strength, non antifreeze protective and now Hub is saying he heard that they might damage temperature sensors?? Some like their water wetter or that other stuff....engine Ice. I never tried it. Go to a full system exhaust and that will drop your temps one bar much of the time.
This time of year in 20-50 F weather, I run at 2 bars. Summer, 75-80 F 3 bars, 4 if I am going slow. 90-100 I might still see 4 bars at highway speed. I don't think I have seen 5 bars since going to a full system.
* Last updated by: Rook on 4/11/2012 @ 10:01 AM *
08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected
2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!