I am from South Africa. It gets pretty hot here.
As high heat cycles increases wear on the motor I decided after purchasing a new ZX1400 to look around at recommendations as to how to get a more stable engine temperature.
(Been there, done it) Some twit recommended wrapping the exhaust in thermal rapping. What a counter productive thing to do. It helps a little whiles driving but a couple of minutes after switching the motor off the coolant in the motor starts boiling as the exhaust headers are actually used to convey heat away from the heads.
I then purchased a used fan from a Honda 1000 RR (cost about 55 dollar)and fitted it to the right side of the radiator. The amount of air that is being moved by this fan is about 30% more than the ZX fan. In the past without the wrapping and the 2nd fan, as soon as I got to a situation of 5 bars the ZX fan was not capable to bring the temperature down. Now with the 2nd fan and wrapping that stops about 6 inches from the heads I cannot get the temperature to rise above 4 bars. The 2 fans kick in and within less that 2 minutes it switches off.
I have come to a couple of conclusions : 1. Wrapping and a used fan cost about the same. Used fan (or 2nd fan)works, wrapping does not. 2. The ZX fan is a pissy fan and it is also fitted on the wrong side of the radiator. On the left, is the feed to the motor. Why not fit it on the right where the hot coolant enter the radiator.
I have read in the forums that the ZX does not like traffic. That is a shitty argument. If I end up having to drive in the desert at 30 kph, should I use a horse ?
This is a typical example of a manufacturer wanting to save a couple of bucks or to save less than 1kg. in weight and stuffing a otherwise good product up.
Fit a second fan!!!!!