What tempture should you run your water at?

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Tioli
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What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by Tioli »

I'm getting a tempture gauge in one of those electronic dashes.

I presume I can influence the water temprature so what should it be?
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JasonK94Z
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Re: What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by JasonK94Z »

The thermostat controls water temp. Your gauge is just a gauge. It will display the water temperature.
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Tioli
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What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by Tioli »

Yes I agree, problem is there is not thermostat.
I can control the amount of air flow easy enough so have some options on choosing an operating temprature. What's the range, 70ish?
2001 KX125 with a 1997 KDX Tioli Hp motor

My KDX journey starts at the bottom of this page:
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Trials.com.au / Forum / All about...me! / My long time friend the prancing horse / page 9
KarlP
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Re: What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by KarlP »

The range is more like 180-200 F

The water temp is not controlled. I'm not sure you would want to.

It is nice to have a gauge to keep an eye on things, though.
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Re: What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by chkdx »

Tioli, I'll be interested to hear what temps you see. There was another thread on this a while back; I mounted an automotive water temp gage on my 220 (all stock except PC2 pipe), and I've seen temps from 150 F cruising on a dirt road, to 270 F after a long hard slow climb. I see this whole range on every ride.
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Re: What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by Jaguar »

factors influencing water temperature:

the coolant used
what ratio mixed with water it is
engine compression
the range of spark plug
the jetting
the spark timing
Performance CDI -- KDX motocross mods -- the SR KDX -- expansion chamber analysis---> http://www.dragonfly75.com/moto/
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Tioli
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What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by Tioli »

Sorry about referring to 70C. Forgot.

I used to have a gp bike and I had to keep it between 130 and 150. We did that with tape on the radiator. This worked well so I was thinking for my hybrid I could make up fome plugs for the plastic fins. One full length and two halves. That should give me enough combinations and would be quick and easy.

Haven't a clue what temp this bike will want to run at but as I'm slowly building it I can prepare.

I'm thinking 140 to 160 would be nice and nodought a challenge. Just checking on the collective wisdom hear.

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Tioli
2001 KX125 with a 1997 KDX Tioli Hp motor

My KDX journey starts at the bottom of this page:
http://www.trials.com.au/forum/viewtopi ... &start=160

Trials.com.au / Forum / All about...me! / My long time friend the prancing horse / page 9
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Re: What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by Tedh98 »

My $.02 is that you would want to leave the radiators just as they are - don't try to cover them up. A woods bike encounters too many different scenarios to try to maintain a certain water temp. Fast flowing sections, hill climbs or slow muddy sections all have different air flow needs. And speaking of mud, if you have your radiators semi-covered and then get into muddy riding, you could end up with nearly blocked radiators.

Why are you trying to control this? I haven't heard of this being a problem on a dirt bike.
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Re: What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by adam728 »

Dirt bikes are best controlled by a thermostat. Radiator blocks work ok if ice racing, circle track, supermoto, etc. But as said, many variables off road, and a radiator block isn't the best choice.
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Tioli
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What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by Tioli »

Ok I have no experience with un regulated water cooled woods bikes.

I'm getting new radiators with claimed increased cooling capacity. This Leeds me to think is there a range I should keep the temp within. Seems that's an unreasonable expectation and I'm ok with that.

Btw. The head looks like it could fit a thermostat. All it would take is a recess and pop one in. I'm thinking the Autolube japonese models would have one?
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My KDX journey starts at the bottom of this page:
http://www.trials.com.au/forum/viewtopi ... &start=160

Trials.com.au / Forum / All about...me! / My long time friend the prancing horse / page 9
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Re: What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by Sullyfam »

Why so much emphasis on water temp? Meaning if the bike is properly maintained then it should operate within the intended temperature ranges. Is the bike not running properly?


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Re: What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by IDRIDR »

If you want a thermostat, check with the guy who makes the Thermo Bob. I run them on klx and klr.
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Tioli
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What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by Tioli »

It's just if you get a thermometer what temp range would you expect a KDX to run within.
2001 KX125 with a 1997 KDX Tioli Hp motor

My KDX journey starts at the bottom of this page:
http://www.trials.com.au/forum/viewtopi ... &start=160

Trials.com.au / Forum / All about...me! / My long time friend the prancing horse / page 9
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Re: What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by adam728 »

Sullyfam wrote:Why so much emphasis on water temp? Meaning if the bike is properly maintained then it should operate within the intended temperature ranges. Is the bike not running properly?


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Because if they size the cooling system so you don't boil it climbing sand hills all day, then it's likely overcooled when tooling down a trail with a beginner on it.

I've often wondered why trail/enduro bikes generally don't have a thermostat. Engine temperature makes a big difference in tuning, and holding it most consistently would just make things that much easier.
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Re: What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by Sullyfam »

I understand the boiling over issue, but I have never had it be an issue if I have a bike set up and ride it for it's intended use. Boil over of course happens in certain conditions, but it's never been an issue for me such that I felt the need to add a thermo stat. No harm in adding of course, just not something I have ever needed.


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Re: What tempture should you run your water at?

Post by Jaguar »

the thermostat (on the SR model KDX) just serves to allow the engine to reach normal operating temperature faster. I rode mine on the street and in motocross and I removed it because when the engine is hot it only serves as an unwanted restriction to the coolant flow.
Performance CDI -- KDX motocross mods -- the SR KDX -- expansion chamber analysis---> http://www.dragonfly75.com/moto/
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