lowering idle to reduce heat

[breakdirt916]

If you're in a lot of stop and go traffic, does lowering the idle speed aid in keeping the engine temp down?

My theory is a higher idle (~500rpm higher) spins the engine high enough that it'll generate a noticeable amount of heat raising that thermometer needle. So today I cranked the idle from 1,500 to 1,000 rpm to test it out.

[Awesome]

no

[HBerry]

My bike can go up to around 219 degrees before the fan even turns on. If you are that worried about your bike overheating, install a fan switch so you can turn the fan on and off as you please, but how hot is this bike getting?

[SSearchVT]

Lowering the idle might actually make the bike run hotter because of the decreased flow of coolant. You could try adding some water wetter or liquid ice to the coolant

[Tricky Mike]

Originally posted by hessogood
no

[SVRACER01]

Originally posted by SSearchVT
Lowering the idle might actually make the bike run hotter because of the decreased flow of coolant. You could try adding some water wetter or liquid ice to the coolant

YES

[HBerry]

Originally posted by Bhavesh
If you're in a lot of stop and go traffic, does lowering the idle speed aid in keeping the engine temp down?

My theory is a higher idle (~500rpm higher) spins the engine high enough that it'll generate a noticeable amount of heat raising that thermometer needle. So today I cranked the idle from 1,500 to 1,000 rpm to test it out.

I thought you sold your bike last summer?

[breakdirt916]

Yeah, it doesn't look like it makes a difference.

If anything, a slight rev of the bike dropped the thermometer needle a little bit because it circulates more coolant.

And yeah, I did sell it.

[benVFR]

IME richening the mixture can cool it off a bit though if you're careful.

Especially if it's one of these newfangled bikes running at 16:1-20:1 during cruise & idle.