| One thing that will cause your bike to run hotter is that the oil and water radiator fins get bent from small stones thrown by the front tyre. This closes off airflow for a portion of the radiator. The solution is to carefully straighten any bent radiator fins and then cover the radiator with protective screens.
This is an easy do-it-yourself project for a superbike. Cut a piece of aluminum window screening to fit leaving 4-5 inches on top to make some tabs to bend over the top and back of the radiator. It conforms easily to the curved radiator shape and the wind pressure holds it firmly against the radiator.
Remove the V-shaped lower front cowl and attach another piece of screen to protect the oil cooler. Fasten it to the back of the panel with small self-tapping screws and washers at the four molded holes in the panel.*Silicone adhesive or double-sided tape also works.
Any screening will reduce airflow somewhat, of course. The smaller the mesh, the more protection against smaller debris and screen-plugging insects. I can only offer that common aluminum window screen works fine in desert temperatures with no noticeable effect on 916 coolant temperatures.
I wish I thought of it right away before fin damage occurred. After 20,000 miles, I still haven't had to replace it. I used window screening simply because it's cheap to replace and has a fine-enough mesh to spread out the impact load (and keep bugs out), but if you prefer something different, check out the McMaster-Carr web site. When they sell mesh screening, they define the percent open area that tells you its ability to flow air.  |