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lowering idle to reduce heat

  1. #1

    lowering idle to reduce heat

    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.

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  2. #2
    Lifer
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    lowering idle to reduce heat

    no

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    It's all water under the bridge, and we do enter the next round-robin. Am I wrong?

  3. #3
    Work U HBerry's Avatar
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    lowering idle to reduce heat

    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?

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    --HBerry

    LRRS# 285 - Retired
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    88 EX500 - Broke

  4. #4
    Lifer
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    lowering idle to reduce heat

    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

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    SSearchVT

    For every action there is an equal but opposite reaction - and sometimes a scar...

  5. #5
    Resident Turkey Tricky Mike's Avatar
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    lowering idle to reduce heat

    Originally posted by hessogood
    no


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  6. #6
    First name on the shit list.... SVRACER01's Avatar
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    lowering idle to reduce heat

    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

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    When I start my KTM in the morning, rules are broken. Its inevitable...
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  7. #7
    Work U HBerry's Avatar
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    Re: lowering idle to reduce heat

    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?

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    --HBerry

    LRRS# 285 - Retired
    04 ZX-6R
    88 EX500 - Broke

  8. #8

    lowering idle to reduce heat

    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.

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  9. #9
    Lifer
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    lowering idle to reduce heat

    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.

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