Heat shield update

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Joined
Apr 12, 2012
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856
Location
Juneau, AK
So I had my heat shield update 50% completed a few weeks back but haven't had a chance to really ride much since then. I only had the cylinder head covers put on, not the fugly exhaust shield, I kept the original.

Anyway, it was about 80 degrees here today. Went for about a 50 mile ride. Mostly open roads, but did go through town to get there. Highest engine temp I saw was 221 F. Mostly stayed around 185-195. Also, had jeans with leather overpants on and the ducati race seat.

Anyway, I think there is noticeable reduction in the heat felt on my right thigh at slow in town speeds. I always wear leather, so it may not have ever been as bad as for some of you that don't, but I used to feel the heat even through the leather before the update. The only real heat I felt was from under my ass on the seat and really was only uncomforatable when the temp got over 212 F going in town. The race seat is thicker and does offer more heat buffer than the stock seat.

All in all I am glad I didn't do the exhaust shield update. I am pretty happy with the heat now. It's always going to suck if you get stuck in traffic (I imagine it would even with the exhaust heat shield update too), but otherwise I think it's a good compromise between reducing some heat while still keeping it looking good. I personally love the cylinder head covers....I like the black and red contrast and don't really care to see the metal at all.
 
Glad it's working out for you, it's hard to say how much heat is coming from either the heads or the mid pipe individually. I did the opposite of you and replaced the termi shield with the new one. I found it made a noticeable difference too. The race seat actually made a huge difference in cutting heat out. I noticed that when I went back to the stock seat.
 
I'm getting the entire update done on Thursday as part of my 621 service. I've not yet seen the heat shield in person, however, I've somehow convinced myself it will make my bike more 'current' and as odd as it seems have found myself looking at photos of those with the full update and it's more 'blacked out look' versus the old thin heatshield and naked metal cylinder heads and find myself maybe liking the updated look.

Will share my opinion afterwards and I too have the race seat.
 
I did the something similar to bronch, and the opposite of the OP, at the 620 mile first service. I kept the upgraded header shield - which I agree is horrendous looking - and had the rear cylinder head covers removed. The three upgraded heat-shielding parts were installed before I picked up the bike.

I was already running the race seat from when I picked up the bike and upgraded again to the comfort seat, which is taller. At the same service, I had the OEM coolant flushed and replaced with Engine Ice coolant.

After picking the bike, I noticed about a 5-10 degree Fahrenheit reduction in operating temperatures. Even when in city traffic, with temps up to around 219, I didn't notice an increase in perceived heat on my legs (right side mostly as you say) or butt. It is interesting to note that my bike doesn't ever seem to read above 219, as when sitting in traffic the fans must kick on and it starts to go down to 216 and of course drops rapidly the instant the bike moves for more than an 1/8th mile. Even when moving I don't notice the heat being increased, maybe it even decreased but perhaps that's a psychosomatic effect.

So in summary, with my above steps, I didn't notice any increase in perceived heat and personally I think the bike looks much better (more "mechanical/technical") with the exposed rear cylinder. It would be interesting to also know if the rear cylinder heat shields increase the rear cylinder temperature at all since it seems to be much more "in the wind" without the heat shields.
 
I'm getting the entire update done on Thursday as part of my 621 service. I've not yet seen the heat shield in person, however, I've somehow convinced myself it will make my bike more 'current' and as odd as it seems have found myself looking at photos of those with the full update and it's more 'blacked out look' versus the old thin heatshield and naked metal cylinder heads and find myself maybe liking the updated look.

Will share my opinion afterwards and I too have the race seat.


Waiting for mine to come in... can't wait as we get climate of sub 40c here. Heatshielding is badly needed...even with leathers.

I agree with devilsnight, My opinion is: the Horseshoe shaped Header is really where majority of that annoying heat comes from...I had blisters from riding with jeans...blisters was on my right inner thigh. My right inner thigh is right beside the Horsehoe header. My knee is closer to the Cylinder Head. So my analysis here ...the heat coming from the horseshoe shaped header is most crucial to eliminate than the cylinder head.

I'm going to have the Heatshielding done to the horseshoe shaped header and will not install the rear cylinder head covers...

Its that darn heat from the header beneath our seat that is the culprit. You may want to check some youtube videos of Panigales on a Dyno...you will see that the Horseshoe shaped header beneath the seat glows into a red/orange ornament while on a Dyno.
 
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Waiting for mine to come in... can't wait as we get climate of sub 40c here. Heatshielding is badly needed...even with leathers.

I agree with devilsnight, My opinion is: the Horseshoe shaped Header is really where majority of that annoying heat comes from...I had blisters from riding with jeans...blisters was on my right inner thigh. My right inner thigh is right beside the Horsehoe header. My knee is closer to the Cylinder Head. So my analysis here ...the heat coming from the horseshoe shaped header is most crucial to eliminate than the cylinder head.

I'm going to have the Heatshielding done to the horseshoe shaped header and will not install the rear cylinder head covers...

Its that darn heat from the header beneath our seat that is the culprit. You may want to check some youtube videos of Panigales on a Dyno...you will see that the Horseshoe shaped header beneath the seat glows into a red/orange ornament while on a Dyno.

I'm not saying the header doesn't get hot too. Just posting up that I could tell a difference in heat with just the cylinder covers is all. To each their own. I do HIGHLY suggest that everyone stick on a dp race seat though....not only does it improve grip, but it also keeps you sitting back a bit more, seems more comforatable, and also drastically improves the heat you feel from that header pipe over the stock seat.
 
I'm still on the fence about it. I like the looks of the cylinders and don't want the fugly exhaust shield so I think I'll just hold on to mine for now. Would it make a difference to use engine ice?
 
I had sprocket upgrade done today, the 41T and 525 R.K chain, plus MWR HE fillter and heat guard both exhaust and head cover shield completed.

Heat is still there although not as concentrated. Engine temp running hotter by a couple of degrees, assume due to the air flow being reduced with covers. The mapping of 41T on my short ride home in traffic seems to have improved the smoothness down low. Will report back after weekend ride. The MWR filter has improved the sound, nic little purr and it does feel smoother, seems like a worth while investment.

One thing I did notice is the new exhaust shield connects to the heel plate on the stock rearset. I was hoping to add some lightech rearsets in the next month or two and Im pretty sure this bracket will ruin this. Looks like its there to stabilise shield / secure it from too much flexing. Anyone with any experience with aftermarket rearsets and new heat shield?????
 
A heat problem, Really! Not heard that before....anyone else had the same problem?
 
I had sprocket upgrade done today, the 41T and 525 R.K chain, plus MWR HE fillter and heat guard both exhaust and head cover shield completed.

Heat is still there although not as concentrated. Engine temp running hotter by a couple of degrees, assume due to the air flow being reduced with covers. The mapping of 41T on my short ride home in traffic seems to have improved the smoothness down low. Will report back after weekend ride. The MWR filter has improved the sound, nic little purr and it does feel smoother, seems like a worth while investment.

One thing I did notice is the new exhaust shield connects to the heel plate on the stock rearset. I was hoping to add some lightech rearsets in the next month or two and Im pretty sure this bracket will ruin this. Looks like its there to stabilise shield / secure it from too much flexing. Anyone with any experience with aftermarket rearsets and new heat shield?????
Funny you should ask, no, it does not connect to the Lightech rearset... The good news is it doesn't need to as it is very stiff. I have the Lightechs and their CF heal guards and looks fine. You can see a oic near the end of my for sale thread: http://ducati1199.com/classifieds/3823-1199-base-wheels-sale.html
 
I'm still on the fence about it. I like the looks of the cylinders and don't want the fugly exhaust shield so I think I'll just hold on to mine for now. Would it make a difference to use engine ice?

-- no...not at all - engine ice does not, as the name may imply, cool the engine any more than prestone - it's main claim to fame is, believe it or not, is that it is environmentally friendly - yup.....thats it - the name (engine ice) was a marketing genius at work :)
 
Well. Imho from YEARS of using Engine Ice in every water cooled bike I owned, it did make a difference in engine operating temps as seen on the dash. Now this may be merely coincidence or even just an optical illusion but it seemed to work very well for me, hence reason I had it poured in long ago when they had my radiator off for the Cox products.

Ploy or not it did work for me and all those I used to race with. However, it seems as if this product is now banned from club level racing due to its components. Since the Tri won't be doing any competitive track days I'm using it as I did in at least 4-5 other bikes. :)

**sorry- didnt mean to offrail the "heat shield" thread. Keeping mine as is with CF guard and stock engine visual.
 
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I had the full heat shield kit installed about two weeks ago. We're now into our triple digit season here in Phoenix so it's hard to judge. The bike still gets hot as hell. However, I will say I think it takes a bit longer to get to an uncomfortable state. If I had to do over again, I would have installed just the rear cylinder head covers and not the header shield. I'm still hoping someone comes up with a resigned that eliminates the rear header loop altogether ala KTM RC8R.
 
I'll probably end up getting a nice CF exhuast cover and get it wrapped. If I was going to throw down for the Termi manifold too complete the system I would go with the new CF sheild but from what I've gathered there's not much gain in performance for the $$$ (or to notice for my riding skills). So, until I run out of other things to buy the full exhaust is last on my wish list.
 

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