1199 Engine covers: bad for head gaskets?

I am firm believer that under tail exhaust "HELPS" with heat on these bikes, I am talking first hand experience. When you remove all that hot ass metal from underneath the engine you are automatically removing roughly 50% of radiating heat concentrated at that one spot which engine and exhaust make and which by nature raises at stand still. Now pay attention at my word "HELPS", only thing that will prevent the heat is to park it and just look at it!

My friend had older Ducs with under tail exhaust, I found that to be much worse for street use. My .02 which isn’t much.


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CanyonCarver said:

My friend had older Ducs with under tail exhaust, I found that to be much worse for street use. My .02 which isn’t much.


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I see your point and respect opinion. I have to apologize for not adding that my experience is only based on race track use, I don't ride on street.

My 848 has under-tail exhaust - the Cat was smack under the seat. I put on Termis (no Cat) and it's 60% better. Still gets hot sitting at red lights, but nothing like stock.
My V4 is on another level of hot. Two dealers and two mechanics I've talked to all swear up down and sideways it's the Cat converter and I need to spend €5k on the Akro system. Then everything in life will be beautiful. I'm somehow hesitating especially hearing it's only a little better. It was a pretty huge difference on the 848, but the Cat is down at my feet on the V4. That's not going to be radiating all the way up to thy level going 80MPH, and going 80MPH it gets damn hot. I noted getting a stiff right to left cross wind, I have to move my left leg away from the engine on the highway even with leathers. That's not the Cat. that's the engine and exhaust loop.

On the track I never found it was a big deal. The speed and hanging off is keeping it all cool. If you're pinching the tank with your legs and never move, ya it's going to burn after a while.
I get the sucking it up part, and also if you move around it's not bad part. But it would be nice to get rid of some of this heat. I get really dehydrated.

I'm going to try some heat shields, deleting Cat, see what that does. Go from there.

CanyonCarver said:

My friend had older Ducs with under tail exhaust, I found that to be much worse for street use. My .02 which isn’t much.

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What is a better radiator? Recommendations?

double0 said:

Spend the money on subframe covers. Subframe heatsoaks which is what causes majority of the radiating heat felt on the inner thighs, especially in stop n go traffic. Aftermarket exhaust won't change anything. Subframe covers will help reduce the heat felt on your thighs (between legs). This is your best option for the lowest price. If you wanna break the bank, install a carbon subframe (carbon won't heatsoak like the oem subframe) get a better radiator, aftermarket exhaust, install a manual fan switch. The end.

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Bo13R said:

I see your point and respect opinion. I have to apologize for not adding that my experience is only based on race track use, I don't ride on street.

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I wish I was good enough to only want to ride track.


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