Engine - how hot is ok ?

[superskip]

Suzuki gs500e

After I've ridden a while and park it most everything like muffler/pipes and even cylinder fins cool off so I can put the cover on it.

But it takes a lot longer for the crankcase covers to cool, for like about 30 mins or longer they're hot enough (can't leave your hand on them more than a couple secs) that the cover would melt, or catch fire (?)

Is this normal for motorcycles ?

[Ninja Geoff]

Does the bikie have a warning light or temp gauge? As long as that doesn't go off/read too high, it'll be fine. If you have the owners manual, it should list in there the very upmost temp that's safe to operate at. I know with my bike, it's 239 degrees F.

[flynrider]

The metal on the upper part of the engine cools relatively quickly in the air. The crankcase contains several quarts of hot uncirculating oil. It's going to take a longer time to cool. That is normal.

[silentx]

Suzuki gs500e

After I've ridden a while and park it most everything like muffler/pipes and even cylinder fins cool off so I can put the cover on it.

But it takes a lot longer for the crankcase covers to cool, for like about 30 mins or longer they're hot enough (can't leave your hand on them more than a couple secs) that the cover would melt, or catch fire (?)

Is this normal for motorcycles ?

If you cant touch it after 30 min.. should have it looked at. My 250 cools off supper fast ( well doesnt get hot that much)

[VermilionX]

my fan starts to turn on when the temp reaches 220 ºF

i read that i should stop riding if the temp reaches 240 ºF

highest i've seen my bike is 235 ºF

[TR7]

I have a GS500, and this seems normal, altho its been cold here lately, next time I ride ill check for you just to make sure. Untill then I wouldnt worry about it however.

[DivideOverflow]

You boys want hot... my Duke normally operates between 250 and 260 degrees F. hehe. But it is aircooled, and I don't think my hi-temp warning goes on until 300 F or so.

[flynrider]

You boys want hot... my Duke normally operates between 250 and 260 degrees F. hehe. But it is aircooled, and I don't think my hi-temp warning goes on until 300 F or so.

Holy cow, D.O.! That's hot! What are you using in the crankcase, lava? Most motor oils start to break down at around 250F. Are you sure that temperature is normal?

[superskip]

Thanx for all the replies - without a temp gauge i don't know what temps i actually run at, but bike runs fine so I'm not going to worry about it.

[storysunfolding]

The metal on the upper part of the engine cools relatively quickly in the air. The crankcase contains several quarts of hot uncirculating oil. It's going to take a longer time to cool. That is normal.

Right on. this is normal. consider a cover with the protective heat panels along the bottom. dowco makes great covers

if you cant touch it after 30 min.. should have it looked at

wrong.