ZX14 Heating problems over : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

LocoCabron · 10-26-2009, 02:17 AM

I bought a 2009 zx14 and traffic over here can be really slow, after having a normal cool day of 90 degrees Fahrenheit (cause in here gets to 120) while driving in traffic when you were going slower than you could go by just by letting the clutch out on the first shift gear and having to wait 10-15 minutes to pass the next red light and all those cars that are going tight together raising even more the temperature at a street level simply my bike couldn't handle it with the stock fan and it continued to heat up, it fired the fan after the third bar up on the gauge got lid and right before hitting the fourth bar... at this time i had to go over the sidewalks to clear from traffic and be able to take the speed at least up to 30-40 mph for the bike to start cooling down.

Those nightmare rides are really over by one simple mod a 7" Secondary fan that sells for around $45.99.

I just cant simply understand why the manufacturer does not include this type of fan from the factory, its retarded to not be able to idle your bike cause it will fry on its own at idle speed.

Now if you run the bike at idle the fan fires up after 5-6 mins. after starting the engine cold and its efficient enough to shut down again after only 20 seconds of being turned on by the thermostat, just wanted you guys to know that it really makes your ride a lot more fun from not having to worry about going faster because your bike will fry.

185EZ · 10-26-2009, 05:36 AM

The 14 doesn't have a heating problem. The temps go up in stop and go traffic just like any other bike. They designed the bike to go fast, not sit at a stop light. You didn't say if the "overheat" flashed on the panel. Then I would say you have a problem. I ride in 110+ heat and I might hit 4 bars at a stop light but it's never overheated and the temps drop fast once you get rolling. I wish they would have put in a numerical temp gauge or added a few more spaces for the bars so people don't get nervous when all the bars are lit up.
Glad the 2nd fan worked for you. Where did you get it and did you just wire it in with the other fan?

Rock · 10-26-2009, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 185EZ

The 14 doesn't have a heating problem. The temps go up in stop and go traffic just like any other bike. They designed the bike to go fast, not sit at a stop light. You didn't say if the "overheat" flashed on the panel. Then I would say you have a problem. I ride in 110+ heat and I might hit 4 bars at a stop light but it's never overheated and the temps drop fast once you get rolling. I wish they would have put in a numerical temp gauge or added a few more spaces for the bars so people don't get nervous when all the bars are lit up.
Glad the 2nd fan worked for you. Where did you get it and did you just wire it in with the other fan?

I have owned two 14's and the temp gauge has never gone over four bars...and that was like your experience...stopped at a traffic light on a hot day. I steer clear of traffic tie ups for the most part, so I am satisfied with the factory set up. If I'm going to be driving in town in heavy traffic I either ride my Goldwing (which has two separate radiator sytems and big fans) or I become a cager! Rock

imrubicon · 10-26-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock

I have owned two 14's and the temp gauge has never gone over four bars...and that was like your experience...stopped at a traffic light on a hot day. I steer clear of traffic tie ups for the most part, so I am satisfied with the factory set up. If I'm going to be driving in town in heavy traffic I either ride my Goldwing (which has two separate radiator sytems and big fans) or I become a cager! Rock

I tend to agree if the bike is not puking then its not over heating .
I did get mine to flash for a few moments as I was caught in traffic in dowton traffic in July 104 + or - but then the light changed and it cooled down pretty quick so that tells me it wasnt that hot . Now dont get me wrong I would like the extra fan on those hot months but in general doesn't the ZX14 need the heat to produce the HP ?
Not sure just asking

I also agree that Kaw screwed up when they did the temp gauge as it cannot be close to blowing steam and cool down in 30 sec of riding

185EZ · 10-26-2009, 09:16 AM

Think of how little airflow there is while sitting and all the cowling wrapped around that motor. Modern motors are supposed to run hotter for better efficiency and you don't get any sludge buildup in the motor. I'm not sure on this one, but if you added extra fans, engine ice and anything else to make it run too cold, will the computer put it into a different enrichment program? I remember changing thermostats on our older cars for summer or winter driving. It was probably the worst thing to do for that motor.

The temp gauge is very deceptive. Can you imagine if your temp gauge in your car was set to always read towards the "hot" end? Car shops would be flooded with people bringing their cars in saying they're running too hot.
Remember the first energy crisis (some of you weren't even born yet

) and they changed the speedometer in your car to read a maximum of 85mph. It was trying to make you seem like you were going too fast and make you slow down to conserve gas.

Mike P · 10-26-2009, 09:21 AM

185EZ · 10-26-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike P

I see you're adjusting to the family just fine

Pizz · 10-26-2009, 11:42 AM

This time of year, a hot bike is a good thing....

immtbiker · 10-26-2009, 04:13 PM

I dunno. In slower or crawl like a turtle traffic it hits the 5th bar consistency.

It can pretty hot in a leather two-piece in July or August,and it gets pretty sticky. However, on occasion (not by any measurable standard) that I've worn jeans, the engine heat can be felt pretty seriously right through the jeans and my semen count drops pretty significantly (hey, you never know when you might want to get a girl pregnant, on a moment's notice in the middle of a ride

).

It's never been a problem (the heat I mean, not the semen), and I've never gone to the max with flashing or warnings.

Without an actual read-out gauge, there's no true way of knowing the real temperature, and if it's close enough to start to be a problem.

All of this, and I all I have is oil cooled on my Katana, and from my early '90's , I can still hear the pistons hitting dry wall in my GSXR-1100 on the way to the beach in traffic.

We've come a long way, baby!

ezmport · 10-26-2009, 05:45 PM

Locco i feel you bro.... when i got this bike i had the same question and one day i was riding with my boy on his big motor 1200 not a 14 but pretty big and doesn't have close to the amount of heat ours produce. his is a BMW with full fairing k1200 in any event i couldn't take my balls cooking anymore after my bike got super hot and flashed on me. not in much traffic but a low speed limit. in any event i did the muzzy swap on oe fan, added hpc and ice for coolant and it has made a big diff. temp. still goes till fan, but the fan doesn't stay on forever it goes on and off (while sitting still). also the moment i take off the temps drop. i would have been easier for the manuf. to charge an extra 100 dollars and get us better or bigger fans...but my prob/issue is solved. i also heard running synthetic will help bring temps down fast also. that is my next move.....

Ozonkiller · 11-23-2009, 10:08 PM

Back in the '80's, the 900 Ninjas ran hot. Kawasaki's fix was a resistor in the wire leading to the temp gauge. Instead of the gauge reading hot. it now read right in the middle. Everyone's over heating problems suddenly went away.

Sometimes, to much information is a bad thing.

BULLDOG · 11-24-2009, 05:23 AM

What's traffic?

heating no probs.

Rock · 11-24-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BULLDOG

What's traffic?

heating no probs.

Folks, the Bulldog has spoken...right from his perch on that black and gold rocket! Amen, Bulldog! Sport bikes are not meant to be inner city commuting vehicles...they are designed for the track and for the great outdoors where we can simply "run away" from trouble. Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas were made for the mighty 14! Our bikes, due to the "hidden" engine design...simply do not like to sit still with those big engines running....let's all go visit Bulldog and our heating issues will be long forgotten! Right, Bulldog? Rock

185EZ · 11-24-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock

Folks, the Bulldog has spoken...right from his perch on that black and gold rocket! Amen, Bulldog! Sport bikes are not meant to be inner city commuting vehicles...they are designed for the track and for the great outdoors where we can simply "run away" from trouble. Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas were made for the mighty 14! Our bikes, due to the "hidden" engine design...simply do not like to sit still with those big engines running....let's all go visit Bulldog and our heating issues will be long forgotten! Right, Bulldog? Rock

Scuze me, Arizona, too.

BULLDOG · 11-24-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock

Folks, the Bulldog has spoken...right from his perch on that black and gold rocket! Amen, Bulldog! Sport bikes are not meant to be inner city commuting vehicles...they are designed for the track and for the great outdoors where we can simply "run away" from trouble. Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas were made for the mighty 14! Our bikes, due to the "hidden" engine design...simply do not like to sit still with those big engines running....let's all go visit Bulldog and our heating issues will be long forgotten! Right, Bulldog? Rock

Seriously Rock! out here I'm lucky if i see 20 vehicles in a day (except in local towns) then what would be seen as traffic would be 100 vehicles, and your right the 14 was built to haul ass not sit in some towns vehicular standstill.

Come out here Brothers & sisters, there are some roads that will blow your minds.

pretty much the WEST is perfect for riding/driving FAST apart from the weather for a few months.

ezmport · 11-24-2009, 07:21 PM

man bulldog i am jealous as shit, man that looks open as 7-11 i can only wish. around here i mean we can go 40 mins out west and be in the mountains but it is still not the same. like i said before i had to change my fan and stuff 18 miles =50 mins.... that sucks ass, i actually don't enjoy riding to work during the week anymore, hard to get her outta second gear... but the weekend is another story..

jollyroger · 11-24-2009, 10:09 PM

Bro-yer bike looks better every time I see it!Great job on the customizing.Very nice!!(these roads DO rock

)

HDwthZX · 11-26-2009, 12:49 AM

sitting here on Turky day looking at everyone pic and reading the threads and the Bulldog shows pics of his back yard man , Truelly put it in perspective . Why I do what I do for a living . 6 more months and I'll be back and riding my beast . You all stay safe .. See you on the road soon.