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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?

The thermostat controls water temp. Your gauge is just a gauge. It will display the water temperature.

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

Thanks
Tioli

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.

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.

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?

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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If you want a thermostat, check with the guy who makes the Thermo Bob. I run them on klx and klr.

It's just if you get a thermometer what temp range would you expect a KDX to run within.

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.

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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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.