Temp gauge

[Motopsycho]

Has anyone put a coolant temp gauge on a Versys? I know the KLR has one. Just wondering what my coolant temp is; I will be going to Arizona soon and don't want to damage the engine. The smaller the better, I have an already cramped cockpit area.

[Fastoman]

Engine Temp motoring system:

the display:


The heat pick up sensor:


The Module;


You can set the fan kick in temp at provided range in the module. Original fan kick in temp is set at 102C. I set fan to kick in at 90c. Now my V runs coolllllllllllll.

Hope it helps.

on your trip.

[weljo2001]

I went from tx to cali middle of last summer went through az,nm. loaded down bike ran like a top with the therm-o- bob i installed http://klrworld.com/index.php?option...193&Itemid=286
http://shop.watt-man.com/Thermo-Bob-...-NEWER-TBV.htm

[Motopsycho]

Originally Posted by Fastoman

Engine Temp motoring system:

Hope it helps.

on your trip.

Brand/website maybe?

[Fastoman]

http://www.carsensors.com/ETMS.htm

It work any way you want it.

Easy wiring and should be no problem for you should you chose to go this way.

[2daMax]

I was thinking of this to add on to monitor temps for engine oil. Good low price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170667382431...84.m1438.l2649

For Coolant temps, I would probably stick the probe onto the sending unit of the V, use a tape or something to tie them together.

[Fastoman]

Originally Posted by 2daMax

I was thinking of this to add on to monitor temps for engine oil. Good low price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170667382431...84.m1438.l2649

For Coolant temps, I would probably stick the probe onto the sending unit of the V, use a tape or something to tie them together.

You wouldn't want to mess with the heat sensor as it ties with the ECU. The ETMS is an independent system and you can configure it to your liking.

My position of ETMS sensor at the thermostat housing is where the hottest coolant is.

[2daMax]

Not messing at all with the sending unit. Just physically attaching the foreign probe to the sending unit. I've done it presently but my gage is the round needle type.

[Zatx]

Originally Posted by Fastoman

http://www.carsensors.com/ETMS.htm

It work any way you want it.

Easy wiring and should be no problem for you should you chose to go this way.

I found a working link...

http://www.carsensors.com/Engine_Guardian.html

$139.00 purchase price with free shipping. $159.00 if you want the fan relay (ability to override factory preset to radiator fan).

[T Cothron]

Trail Tech sells a unit you might be interested in. I believe about $50.00. You would need the 22mm hose adapter or plumb into your thermostat housing with a probe type as Fastoman. Available through Cheap Cycle Parts

[Zatx]

Originally Posted by T Cothron

Trail Tech sells a unit you might be interested in. I believe about $50.00. You would need the 22mm hose adapter or plumb into your thermostat housing with a probe type as Fastoman. Available through Cheap Cycle Parts

Here is the Trail Tech version (doesn't have fan controller):

http://trailtech.net/tto_temperature.html

[Snownut]

I will admit a temperature gauge is something Ive been missing on this bike.. My KLR has one, Im not sure why Kawi opted to not put one on the Versys..

[fasteddiecopeman]

Originally Posted by Snownut

I will admit a temperature gauge is something Ive been missing on this bike.. My KLR has one, Im not sure why Kawi opted to not put one on the Versys..

Probably because, like the KLR, the V does NOT have a by-pass in the radiator which makes the "Thermo-Bob" a good mod. I guess Kawasaki figures that what you don't know can't hurt you....

You've noticed how the temp on your KLR (in cooler temps) fluctuates? That's as the thermostat opens then closes. Check out the "Thermo-Bob" here:
http://www.watt-man.com/

[vospertw]

Wouldn't provide a readout but you could easily add a manual fan switch and throw it on anytime you are in traffic, etc.

[weljo2001]

Originally Posted by fasteddiecopeman

Probably because, like the KLR, the V does NOT have a by-pass in the radiator which makes the "Thermo-Bob" a good mod. I guess Kawasaki figures that what you don't know can't hurt you....

You've noticed how the temp on your KLR (in cooler temps) fluctuates? That's as the thermostat opens then closes. Check out the "Thermo-Bob" here:
http://www.watt-man.com/

Some folks just don't get it.......

[Snownut]

Originally Posted by fasteddiecopeman

Probably because, like the KLR, the V does NOT have a by-pass in the radiator which makes the "Thermo-Bob" a good mod. I guess Kawasaki figures that what you don't know can't hurt you....

You've noticed how the temp on your KLR (in cooler temps) fluctuates? That's as the thermostat opens then closes. Check out the "Thermo-Bob" here:
http://www.watt-man.com/

I have read alot of posts about fluctuating temps on klr's but mine doesn't seem to fluctuate much.. if I'm in stop and go traffic mine will go up but the fan kicks on and it stays in the same zone. In normal riding or commuting the needle stays about 1/4" above cold and doesn't change much. Not trying to be a skeptic, I just am leery about all the klr complaints.. I have 9000 as of today and she still doesn't drink oil, and when I changed my doomed doohickey at 5k it was still fine and had plenty of adjustment.. I still put the torsion and new dh in, but I tire of all the doom and gloom.. I am sticking with good maintenance and running the wheels off her.

[weljo2001]

Originally Posted by fasteddiecopeman

Probably because, like the KLR, the V does NOT have a by-pass in the radiator which makes the "Thermo-Bob" a good mod. I guess Kawasaki figures that what you don't know can't hurt you....

You've noticed how the temp on your KLR (in cooler temps) fluctuates? That's as the thermostat opens then closes. Check out the "Thermo-Bob" here:
http://www.watt-man.com/

Therm-O-Bob

IMG_0101 by weljo2001, on Flickr

[Mursili]

Originally Posted by Snownut

I have read alot of posts about fluctuating temps on klr's but mine doesn't seem to fluctuate much..

The temperature you are riding in matters significantly in this discussion. When the Versys (and apparently the KLR) ride in cool-to-cold temperatures, the coolant temperature swings should be significantly greater than when riding at higher temperatures. The greater the cooling load in these cases the less the lack of a bypass matters.

Presumably the engineers at Kawasaki made a decision to use an engine cooling system without a bypass. That would certainly save money and make the system simpler. Everyone knows that motorcycles are only ridden when it is warm out.

The Thermo-Bob will make your coolant maintain a more consistent temperature temperature across ride durations and external temperatures. I have installed a Thermo-Bob since I (used to) ride consistently in below freezing temperatures.

[PDSF]

Originally Posted by Mursili

The temperature you are riding in matters significantly in this discussion. When the Versys (and apparently the KLR) ride in cool-to-cold temperatures, the coolant temperature swings should be significantly greater than when riding at higher temperatures.

How cool is cool? Here in SF, riding short (5-15 minute) trips in 50 to 60 degree temps is a daily occurrence, but it rarely gets much colder than that. Now that my bike is broken in I let it warm for 20-30 secs and then ride off, but ride gently until I see the idle rpm's are normal. Should I be concerned with engine life under these conditions?

[Mursili]

Originally Posted by PDSF

Should I be concerned with engine life under these conditions?

I do not think that you should be concerned under any conditions. However, if you look at the information on the watt-man site, you will see that your bike is probably not reaching a consistent, "normal" operating temperature when riding in 50-degree weather. If you want to maintain a consistent engine temperature then a Thermo-Bob (or any other bypass) is for you. There is no evidence that the Versys cares whether its engine needs to be at such a consistent temperature.

invader installed a different thermostat that holds promise of acting like a bypass, but I do not know if any actual data has been taken on such an installation.

Being a geek that thinks about such things, I installed a Thermo-Bob on my bike.