Radiator fan, need help EX500

MN250R · 05-02-2007

Hello,
I have a 1989 EX 500 i got used.
The bike runs excellent, but i was wondering when the radiator fan kicks in.
Yesterday i was in traffic and it was hot out. The guage started getting PRETTY high, real close to the red line. Is there any way to test the fan to see if its working?
Is it a thermostat switch?

Any help would be great, i been looking in my manual and cant seem to find anything on testing the fan.

eidian · 05-02-2007

Other people in the 500 forums have asked about that and what you've described is typical. The fan did kick in when it was about to hit the red, right? And I do mean, just about to hit the red. It was explained that the fan is meant to prevent the bike from over heating--not to keep the needle in the middle of the temp gauge.

The engine is small relative to the size of the radiator so as long as you're moving, you'll be fine. It's common to see the needle near the red in 90*+ temps and then to see it go back to middle after only riding for a couple of city blocks.

You can test fan by bypassing the temp gauge and seeing if the fan starts up.

MN250R · 05-02-2007

Thanks for getting back to me.
The needle didn't ever hit the red but came real close, then traffic started moving. So i'm not sure if the fan kicked in or not. I will test it.
Its good to know that it doesn't come on though unless it reaches the red, i was thinking it came on to keep the needle in the middle of the guage.

05-02-2007	#1 (permalink)
MN250R Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 12	Radiator fan, need help EX500 Hello, I have a 1989 EX 500 i got used. The bike runs excellent, but i was wondering when the radiator fan kicks in. Yesterday i was in traffic and it was hot out. The guage started getting PRETTY high, real close to the red line. Is there any way to test the fan to see if its working? Is it a thermostat switch? Any help would be great, i been looking in my manual and cant seem to find anything on testing the fan.

05-02-2007	#2 (permalink)
eidian Black is faster, right? Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 2,498	Other people in the 500 forums have asked about that and what you've described is typical. The fan did kick in when it was about to hit the red, right? And I do mean, just about to hit the red. It was explained that the fan is meant to prevent the bike from over heating--not to keep the needle in the middle of the temp gauge. The engine is small relative to the size of the radiator so as long as you're moving, you'll be fine. It's common to see the needle near the red in 90*+ temps and then to see it go back to middle after only riding for a couple of city blocks. You can test fan by bypassing the temp gauge and seeing if the fan starts up. __________________ '07 black Z1000: Power Bronze/Projekt D/EYI Designs/Leo Vince/Puig/Galfer/T1Concepts

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05-02-2007	#3 (permalink)
MN250R Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 12	Thanks for getting back to me. The needle didn't ever hit the red but came real close, then traffic started moving. So i'm not sure if the fan kicked in or not. I will test it. Its good to know that it doesn't come on though unless it reaches the red, i was thinking it came on to keep the needle in the middle of the guage.

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