Cold weather

[gmck]

Wondered if anyone has used any kind of cover for the radiator when riding in cold weather? I know back in Maine lots of trucks have covers over the radiator to let the motor heat up better.

[oconeedan]

I wouldn't cover it. I doubt your bike will ever run "too cold".
Especially in Arizona!

[93gc40]

If it is that cold I drive the Jeep. Beside the covers on truck are more for keeping the cold away from the turbos than the radiator.

[tubes_rock]

It won't help! I ride down to about 25 degrees and have never noticed that the bike doesn't run well because of the temperature.

Covering the rad won't help anyway since it doesn't so a whole lot in the grand scheme of things. The engine has cooling fins just like an air-cooled bike does. When it's less than 60 degrees out (based on observation on my 1986 Shadow 700) the thermostat doesn't even open on the bike, which means it's not using the radiator at all. The cooling fins are doing all the work. So if it's less than 60 degrees out, covering the radiator won't make any difference.

--Justin

[93gc40]

Originally Posted by tubes_rock

It won't help! I ride down to about 25 degrees and have never noticed that the bike doesn't run well because of the temperature.

Covering the rad won't help anyway since it doesn't so a whole lot in the grand scheme of things. The engine has cooling fins just like an air-cooled bike does. When it's less than 60 degrees out (based on observation on my 1986 Shadow 700) the thermostat doesn't even open on the bike, which means it's not using the radiator at all. The cooling fins are doing all the work. So if it's less than 60 degrees out, covering the radiator won't make any difference.

--Justin

The excessive cold causes more issue with the fuel mixture. The T-stat will keep the coolant and oil warm.

[gmck]

Pretty much what I thought too. Just a thought watching a truck driver at work adjusting the cover on his rig.