Help - Brand New 650R (2009) Runs Hot? Emitting tons of heat under seat (overheating issues?)

[skilletrx]

Hi all!

Not new to the Kawasaki family, I came from a 250R, to 500R, to now a new 2009 650R. I bought my 2009 650R a few months ago with 0 miles so I guess shes been sitting on the lot a while. Something I've noticed with this bike though, is that a shroud of heat emits from the bike near my inner thighs that almost makes the ride unbearable. It seems like around 6-7k rpm heat just starts to emit. I haven't gotten an overheat light or anything like that... so what's wrong? Is this normal?

Like its only mid 80 F and I feel cool air all around me cept for my inner thighs, which are hottt while going 70mph down the highway.

Anyone have ideas on whats up, or can share similiar experiences?

Thanks in advance!

[Bodom]

I own a new 2009 Ninja 650R as well (purchased with 0 miles in March of this year) and have not really noticed this problem around my thighs; for me (6'3" or so), the fit nicely up against the plastic parts on the side of the gas tank, which do not get hot at all.

[Bodom]

Nevermind, I now feel the heat on my inner thighs too now that I pay attention to it. It never gets to the point where it's unbearable, and I don't really notice it unless I am actually thinking about it while riding.

[blaneym]

The same thing is noticable on our 600R sometimes, but usually only when the engine is a hotter than normal from riding slow through a city or village. Since your bike is new I'd have it double checked by the dealer to see why it is running hotter than it should be and see what they can do to get it to run cooler.

[skilletrx]

thanks guys, i'm hitting the 600 mile mark soon so I will take it to the dealership and ask. on a side note, is it b/c the exhaust is also mounted midway on the bike? what if there was an aftermarket one to run it elsewhere, or out more?

[rangerscott]

The heat has to go somewhere. Looking at the fairings the heat most likely comes out of the side rectangle vents and right between the tube frame and and plastics. The guys knee is blocking it.

[imabeast7]

heat is normal between ur thighs on this bike

[ScubaNinja]

I hear repeatedly, and experience myself a lot of heat coming out the ride side of the fairing and onto my shins. If wearing shorts (Don't laugh, it happens here in Thailand) it can get so bad that I have to stick my leg out to cool it off. My guess as to why this is on the right side and not the left is because it is the right side of the radiator which has the hottest water entering it after it has gone though the engine.

Never felt it hot under the seat, nor would I say it was concentrated on my knee either. Only my lower leg.

[insolentminx]

i was about to ask what you wear on your legs....

on my VN900 (when i had it) i could rest my leg against the hot exhaustpipe in my kevlar jeans or leathers and only feel a little warmth. I wouldn't want to try it with regular jeans, and definitely not with shorts...

the frame on my RR does get hot, but again, i don't feel it when riding, only if i put my bare hand against it when i'm done.

it could be a problem with the bike... or it could just be you're touching the frame with your leg.
i can't comment properly without knowing what you wear on your legs while riding.

[07Ninja250]

I wonder if this has anything to do with the fairing re-design on the 2009. My 07 never heated up my legs.

[Marva]

I haven't signed the paperwork yet, but am thinking of trading my cruiser for this same Ninja 650. I too, upon test riding discovered that my legs are VERY uncomfortably hot! My knees were burning after just 10 minutes on the bike. Contrarily, my husband rode the bike and he says he cannot feel the heat! Ugh! I really want the bike and if there was a way of deflecting the heat, it would be a blast! I've never had a sport bike and would really like to have this one, but I don't think I'd be comfotable with my legs that hot. Is there any way of deflecting the heat?

[Poppa P]

I have an '06 650R, and have always felt a lot of heat. I changed the can, thinking that might help - but it really doesn't help at all. I even tried placing a thin (~1/4") sheet of insulation under the seat, hoping that this would help keep the seat from being so hot. I think that helps a little. It gets very hot down here in Bama, so it makes it even worse. Now in the Winter, it seems to make things a little better. But yes - I think this is a basic design flaw with the 650R.

[ozyran440]

I haven't signed the paperwork yet, but am thinking of trading my cruiser for this same Ninja 650. I too, upon test riding discovered that my legs are VERY uncomfortably hot! My knees were burning after just 10 minutes on the bike. Contrarily, my husband rode the bike and he says he cannot feel the heat! Ugh! I really want the bike and if there was a way of deflecting the heat, it would be a blast! I've never had a sport bike and would really like to have this one, but I don't think I'd be comfotable with my legs that hot. Is there any way of deflecting the heat?

I'd imagine that might take a little bit of work to do, but still doable.

If you like the 650R but find the heat unbearable, the ER-6n might be worth a look - there's little plastic surrounding the engine, allowing for better venting of heat.

[LPITCAIR]

Hi. I just bought a 2011 Ninja 650R. I previously had a 2003 Ninja EX500. I never had a heat issue with the old 500 but man, the heat coming off the front of the 650 is awful. I don't mind it when its cooler but now that its 30 degrees (celcius) its almost unbearable. I'm 5'6" and it hits me right on the shins. I feel it on both shins but the next time I ride I'll pay attention to whether it is really more on the left. Other than always riding with pants on instead of shorts (which I would anyway), does anyone know of any other fix for this to deflect that heat away?