Radiator fan seems to be running more

[MaineMagna]

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed my '02' Magna was throwing a little heat at me while riding and that my radiator fan seemed to run once in awhile.  I had never noticed it before.  Last week, the fan ran for about 10 seconds after I turned off the bike.

I took it to my motorcycle mechanic (I'm not very mechanical with bikes), and he said it was the thermostat.  He tested it and said it was opening at too hot a temp.  He put in a new thermostat and put in a lower number thermostat.  Today, I rode for a few hours and noticed the same problem.  The fan again ran for a few seconds after turning off my bike.  It was only in the 70's outside so it's not like I'm running in 90 degree temps.  It does seem more noticeable in traffic.

The bike only has 7000 miles on it.  I bought it last summer and don't know that the coolant was ever changed.  Could this problem be because my coolant needs to be changed?  Or could it be something else?

thanks for any help.
Gary

[Gloveberg]

My 96 does it all the time in traffic so I would not worry as long as it DOES come on and you don't overheat.  The fan is there for a reason   .  If it never comes on then you will have a problem.  Different riding and weather conditions can dictate how hot an engine runs.

FWIW I would never put another thermostat in place of the stock OEM piece unless it was another Honda Magna OEM thermostat.  My feeling is that the Honda engineers know more about it than a shop mechanic would (no offense to your friend intended) so if that's what should be there then it would be best to leave it be.

[Greg Cothern]

I agree with what Jimmy said.  I also would hope the mechanic would have changed the coolant if he did a thermostat change???
Remember the bike engine will go to operating temp even in cooler weather.  So for the fan to come on for a short bit as you stop is completely normal from what I know to be true..

[MaineMagna]

Thank you guys...it's good to know it's normal.  Rode 2-up with my wife in North Conway, NH which can get pretty hilly.  We didn't do the Kancamagus Scenic Hgy (mountain riding) but still did some hills.  I guess the fan running would be expected.  Between myself, my son, my brother and neice, we have 4 Magnas here in Southern Maine and rode up together.  I have the only 3rd generation.

The mechanic didn't say he changed the coolant but his bill for the thermostat was for $82 and he's one of the cheaper bike mechanics in southern Maine.  I'll have to ask him if he did.

Again, thanks for your help.
Gary