V&H Pipes - do they cause more heat?

[mkgarvin]

I'm still trying to figure out the heat problem on my 2001 Magna.  Like I've said before, I know it's hot in August but the air flow coming up and around my tank towards my chest is unbearable.  I was just wondering if any of you know if Vance and Hines pipes make these bikes run hotter than with stock pipes.  I took it to Rockwall Honda and they checked everything - connections, fan, coolant levels - everything is working properly.  I rode a Shadow ACE last week.  There was no heat coming at me from the engine.  I'm amost to the point of cashing in the whole kit 'n kaboodle.

[Greg Cothern]

Mary, remember your bike has 4 heat producing cylinders, and the shadow only 2..
The V & H should not cause extra heat, especially with the jets/shims I installed in it.

[Billy C]

Just some random thoughts.
If the bike was re-piped but the main jets were not bumped up a size then it will run lean and you will get more heat.
It's a V4, wider engine putting the jugs closer to your legs.
Water cooled with a radiator doing it's best to get rid of engine heat and the rad is dumping the heat forward of you. Is the Shadow water cooled?
Shadow runs what for compression? Bet it is much lower than the Maggie. Less power equals less heat. The gas engine is a heat powered engine.
It is August in TX and the bricks are getting soft on my house. All this rain and finally some sunshine and the humidity is way up there.

[Greg Cothern]

Billy, I rejetted Marys bike a while back, so she is running pretty dead on on adjustments and such from what has worked out very well in the past and current.

You have to find a way to pull the heat down and away, that is difficult.

[Curtis_Valk]

Mary if it makes you feel any better, think about those of us with 1520 cc and two more cylinders than the Magna.  I'm not helping? Oh  

Seriously though, part of the reason I bought my Magna was to have a bike to ride to work in summer that wasn't so blasted hot.  I don't have experience with other bikes for comparison, but I found that the Magna is not a lot cooler than my Valk, and of course any motorcycle is hot when sitting at the red lights or in traffic.

I think the others are on track.  The Magna makes so much more horsepower than the Shadow (almost double) and with that comes a price: you'll burn more fuel and make more heat.

Curtis

[mkgarvin]

Billy - I would love to know if your wife has the same problem.  I'm starting to believe I'm just being a sissy and I need to shut up about and get down to the business of riding - AFTER DARK when it's not so hot!  ha ha.  The other thing I haven't mentioned is I hear a rattle coming from somewhere close to the transmission.  It's there whether it's in gear or not.  Funny thing happened last night - I noticed it went away when I leaned it onto the kickstand (left) while it was running.  It came back when I stood it back up.  Perhaps I'm just such a novice at all of this mechanical stuff that I'm hearing normal functions.  Or maybe I have a true problem.  I just don't know.  But all of you fine gentlemen have been telling me that it's just the nature of the beast.  So I will bow to your infinite wisdom and stop my belly-aching.  

[2fs2ns]

I've got the V&H pipes and don't notice any nasty amounts of heat.  My legs feel some heat so I'll kick them up on my highway pegs and it's not too bad.

With the windscreen on I can notice more heat hanging around my body, but again, it's not bad enough to keep me off the bike.

[TLRam1]

Mary,

I know what you are talking about. Lot's of heat right in your chest and face. I have V & H pipes and do need to put on the DD carb kit but looks like a project and haven't done it yet. No noticeable heat difference from stock to V & H pipes.

If you have a windshield the wind going over the top appears to cause a vacuum from below and all the heat from the radiator and motor comes up. I don't let it prevent me from riding though but it is warm.

I do have still in the package never installed a set of louvers/wings that I think mount on the down bars. The louvers are adjustable if I remember. They look like they would be gaudy so I never installed. If interested I might be willing to part with them, I think I paid about 100 dollars for the set. I always wanted to install first to see how I like them so I have kept them around and not ebayed yet. They are made from the likes of NATIONAL CYCLE ACCS. or another recognizable company.  

Terry

[SilverFox]

After the doctor saying I could not ride again because of the difribulator I rode to Durant Ok today (with a friend to see his mother in the nursing home).  I wear a First Gear mesh jacket with full armor and a full face helmet.  Coming home this afternoon just poured some water on my tee shirt under the jacket, rode about 65 +  and it was really cool and pleasant.  Keep liquid in you and on you and enjoy the ride.  If it gets too hot I switch to my wifes van and then wish I was on the Magna.  My wife tells me that in my old age (70+) I'm just nuts so mabye that explains it.  Life is uncertain, eat dessert first!

[mkgarvin]

I have the louvers (lowers) too and I thought they looked stupid on the bike.  They take away from the sporty look and I didn't notice much of a difference in the air deflection.  Rockwall Honda didn't test ride the bike, they just tested at idle in the parking lot to see if the fan motor came on.  I shouldn't have accepted it in blind faith!!!  I would love for someone to ride my bike and compare it to theirs.  I've compared it to other bikes but I think it should be compared to another Magna exactly like it.  Any takers?  I'm also willing to try someone else's Magna is they are brave enough to let a girl ride it.  I'm willing to say "I'm a Wuss" if I can see proof the heat is normal.  I'm not convinced, so I ain't saying those embarrassing words yet!!!  

[TLRam1]

Your welcome to ride mine sometime Mary. I live north of Dallas in Allen but have to replace fork seals first.