tank shroud vents--cooling the klr
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:01 pm
There is an ongoing thread titled:
IMS tank and Dual-Star panniers
that does not include any discussion if mounting the tank
panniers/IMS tank will effect cooling. I started a new thread to
address that aspect as I am curious to the effects of shrouds, vents
and the use of panniers on an OEM tank.
There was a previous discussion concerning a bike with an OEM tank
with panniers that was reported to be overheating (or at least a high
needle position on the water temp gauge)--and the
discussion/speculation that the overheating was due to the tank
panniers blocking the forward shroud vents. There seemed to be a
consensus that that was 'true'. My personal experience was
completely contrary to the consensus. shrug. I read the discussion
without comment.
I would suggest that the high temp gauge is not really HOT unless
there is an exchange of fluid into the overflow bottle, and it is
running out on the ground. Now that would be hot. In 5 years of
reading the LIST, I have yet to hear of anyone overflowing a radiator
bottle--but I could have missed it....
Does anyone have anything other than speculation that blocking the
shroud vents makes a bike run hot?
I have ran the past 10K+ miles with the vents fully blocked with
Wolfman panniers with no ill effect--that I can discern. I place the
panniers as far forward for weight distribution as well as giving me
more room to slide forward on the seat without bumping the panniers
with my knees. (I have very 'sensitive' knees. cough).
OAT has been as high as 96+F, with the radiator temp as high as 240F
(as indicated by the Watson temp gauge overlay).
Of those 10K+ smiles, the last 6K+ miles has had a thermobob
installed (Rad temp as high as 240F briefly during a slow, downwind
pavement drive through a town). That temp quickly returned to the
195-205F range when additional air was being blown across the
radiator.
IVO others that ride the bike without tank shrouds, it seems to me,
covering the tank vent is a mute point;
The Q is this:
1. Are the tank shrouds just something to make the bike look sexy?
2. Does the shroud vent's 'really' serve a necessary function?
3. Can they be covered without any long term defect?
4. Does anyone have any hard data to support their findings, either
covered, uncovered, or shroud-less? (Watson?)
5. Did IMS put vents on the tank because it was similar to OEM?
It seems to me I saw some early IMS/military applications where there
were no vents at all...
6. Has anyone did any temp reading/test to validate KHI engineering--
that either validates/negates the tank shroud, or tank shroud vent?
(Watson?) IE temps recorded with shroud on, shroud off, vent open,
vent covered, etc
plus
the difference in radiator exit-air temp from an OEM tank/shroud vs
those of an IMS tank.
overall cooling:
On other list, some tout the 'pat-mod' to push more air through the
radiator--which has been suggested that it is most useful during
higher OAT's but less useful during lower OAT.
7. Any hard data here to support the effects +/- of a pat-mad? Or is
it possibly just something that feels good, and should be helpful?
This thread starts with the premise that the shroud and vent are
necessary--and that the KHI did research to substantiate the need for
such. Did KHI do research that substantiates the need for a vented
fender to help direct air across the radiator?--which is lost when
many change to the lower fender.
I have my doubts that the shroud, or the vent plays much into the
overall cooling capacity of the KLR, especially at low speeds.
revmaaatin.