Running temps - what's normal - Ducati.ms

infidel · Apr 15th, 2008, 11:20 pm

I've never owned an air-cooled bike (except for a suzuki PE back when i was a kid) so i don't have much of a feel for what the running temp should be. I realise as they are oil and air cooled they are going to get hotter than water cooled bikes, but by how much? Yesterday i went for a "brisk" mountain ride, trying to keep it under 7000 rpm as it's got less than 1000 kms. It got up to 108oC. What is the normal running temp and at what stage should i start getting worried. I spoke to the dealer and they said 115-120oC is starting to get too hot. Do you guys agree with this recommendation?

Edit - I forgot alot of you are probably stateside, so to make it easier:
108oC = 226oF
115oC = 239oF
120oC = 248oF

dukepilot · Apr 15th, 2008, 11:50 pm

Ambient air temp makes a huge difference in operating temps. I run between 175 to 210 or so depending on air temp and where I'm riding. At 230 and above I would be worried. Good mc spec synthetic oil is a good investment to protect your engine from high temps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by infidel

I've never owned an air-cooled bike (except for a suzuki PE back when i was a kid) so i don't have much of a feel for what the running temp should be. I realise as they are oil and air cooled they are going to get hotter than water cooled bikes, but by how much? Yesterday i went for a "brisk" mountain ride, trying to keep it under 7000 rpm as it's got less than 1000 kms. It got up to 108oC. What is the normal running temp and at what stage should i start getting worried. I spoke to the dealer and they said 115-120oC is starting to get too hot. Do you guys agree with this recommendation?

Edit - I forgot alot of you are probably stateside, so to make it easier:
108oC = 226oF
115oC = 239oF
120oC = 248oF

infidel · Apr 16th, 2008, 12:10 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukepilot

Good mc spec synthetic oil is a good investment to protect your engine from high temps.

That makes sense. It's still running on mineral oil as it's in the break-in period. Thanks for the reply dukepilot

AXE · Apr 16th, 2008, 1:40 am

I routinely see 230*F and my ambient temps haven't exceeded mid 80s so far. It should be interesting to see what happens at 115*.

I know a couple people stated that running Motul oil reduced operating temps and so did running an open clutch cover. I can't verify either, but I did just install an open clutch cover so we'll see.

Out!

DUC_54 · Apr 16th, 2008, 7:13 am

Refer to page 21 of the manual......high normal is up to 338f, and the "hi" reading then comes on warning at 340f...hopes this helps!

infidel · Apr 16th, 2008, 7:15 pm

Thanks Duc 54. Holy shite 338oF is like 170oC. That's pretty damn warm!

dukepilot · Apr 16th, 2008, 7:54 pm

I'd shut it down at 240 degrees. I wouldn't call 338 high normal, I'd call it meltdown

**deluxe68** · Apr 16th, 2008, 9:13 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXE

I routinely see 230*F and my ambient temps haven't exceeded mid 80s so far. It should be interesting to see what happens at 115*.

I know a couple people stated that running Motul oil reduced operating temps and so did running an open clutch cover. I can't verify either, but I did just install an open clutch cover so we'll see.

Out!

My 749 is already nearly unrideable for the 3pm commute home on I10. How does the HM feel so far, any thigh or groin scorching?

Motard-Menace · Apr 16th, 2008, 11:04 pm

Its not nearly as hot as a full faired bike if that helps.

851 · Apr 17th, 2008, 1:09 pm

Had to do some errands in town, not too much riding less than 1hr in total but lots of stopping in traffic. Temps went up as high as 267F at lights but immediately dropping down to 250 when moving off (very responsive reading), then around 240F. Bike got too hot I would say for my liking so I won't say this is a good city bike if you have traffic.

Open fast riding with ambient temps of 60-75F the bike temp has been 210-225 for me.