| Author | Message | ||
     Hwyranger |
OK, finally got to hit the mountain for 150+ miles today. Wife on the back having a great time. Frame got unbelievably hot. CT was never more than 202 (for brief moment at stop light at the end) usually 180-198 depending on speed. By the time I got home, the inside of my right leg just above the knee was blistered and very red, my left leg is not as bad, but it too is red and raw. I know this issue has been beaten to death. I was wondering if anyone ever got the techspec gripskins Fresnobuell was talking about a while back. If so, how did they work keeping the heat off your legs? I have read about people getting the ceramic coating on their headers or putin the heat reflective tape on the inside of the tank. did either of those work to decrease the tank temp? Need help, Tom | ||
| Krassh |
I have the ceramic coated headers but did not do any heat tape inside the frame. I have not had any blistered legs but still have boiling fuel and the frame is so hot I cannot hold my hands on the frame after riding. So either the ceramic coated header reduce it enough or me holding my legs away from the frame have kept me from blistering. Which Mountains? I live up in Crestline. | ||
| Hwyranger |
I was up in Big Bear, did a poker run sponsored by the squad club at my office (San Bernardino). Went up 18 to rim high, over to big bear choppers, down 38. I couldn't hold my hands to my tank after the ride. | ||
| Krassh |
Yeah I hoped the ceramic coated headers would solve the problem when I had the boiling fuel issues a few months ago. Then had a small lay down plus the recall so I had parked the bike since. Clutch cover came in last week so I scheduled the recall for this last Tuesday. Of course after not riding it since April I made up for it the few days and found an excuse to go run some errands up and down the mountain the last few days. The frame was getting uncomfortably hot. If you were going to do anything I would wrap the headers. The guys that have seem to have had good luck. Might want to wait for the upgraded headers with the relocated O2 bungs regardless which way you go. | ||
| Krassh |
That is a good run. Lived up here since '04 and this year was the first time I rode the 38. | ||
| Alans |
Tom, per your self-assessment, you have second degree burns: Wikipedia's Burn Discussion: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_degree_burn#Cl assification_by_degree I recall reading one other person's report they'd been blistered by their 1125R. I discounted it as an exaggeration, frankly. You are the second person, of which I'm aware, to report this phenomenon. This second report of blistering, caused by simply riding an 1125R, is much less easy for me--as an 1125R rider--to shrug off, i.e. I'm starting to believe. If it were me, and I was sure the 1125R was responsible, I would go to the ER/Urgent Care, document the facts of the burns, then take that documentation and report these things to my dealer. I hope you will do so, for the sake of everyone--BMC, and riders, all...You should have the burns examined, in any case. P.S. I use my 1125R to commute. The distance is 22 miles, one way. The ambient here this time of year is generally 100+ F when I come home. I suspect the only reason I haven't blistered my legs, riding the 25R, is that I'm not on it long enough once it gets up to temp. It's highway miles all except about the last two, and though I can really feel the heat coming off the bike for the final 2 miles, I'm home--and off the bike--evidently before any blistering can occur. I suspect if my exposure were longer, I'd be blistering, too. I don't know about the science of this, my only experience of 'burning meat' being with respect to my Weber Kettle...but in light of these things, your report gives me pause. Thanks, Alan (Message edited by alans on August 02, 2008) | ||
| Madxcat |
The heat is getting out of hand on my bike. I live in Texas, the days have been hitting 105, the bike is constantly reading 220+ on the temp gage. Stopping at a red light is torture on my legs, having to sit one foot on the peg and one on ground then rotate legs after they get hot as hell. Its a shame, I love this bike but I wish I had know about all the little problems that are adding u to one big one, I would have waited I think. I just want to ride and have fun, not worry about second degree burns, boiling fuel, 5th gear locking up, speedometer going goofy, knocking and clicking in at low rpm's... and list continues to grow. Whats next? lol... Sorry for the rant, don't mean to hijack your post bro, just felt the need to say something. | ||
| Mainstreamer |
You may want to consider reporting the issue to the NHSTA. I believe they would consider the heat a safety issue and help Buell resolve the heat issue. | ||
| Alans |
A long-time owner of Buells looked at me not long ago, and just sort of shook his head in a wizened fashion as I went on, evangelically, about the importance of religiously reporting our problems to our dealers. I took it from that, and other of his comments, that he'd trod the same path I was on, once, and was a little smarter for it. With that said... The truth of it is, I'm certain that if we don't report these types of issues, they'll have no opportunity of being resolved. I now summarize what other, wiser Buelligans than me have been saying here for a long time: It's ok to vent; but anything other than substantive reports via 'official' channels cannot be counted upon to elicit a response for us from BMC. And even such reports are not a guarantee BMC will act on our complaints. If you have complaints, take them up with your dealer. Resolve to follow up on them. Be patient, but don't relent. I'm sure there are things that gripe me that BMC--or another person, for that matter--might find irrelevent. However, I'm pretty sure the fact of one of their designs causing second degree burns to the legs of properly attired riders is going to be something they will have an interest in, after the manner of a previous post, here... (Message edited by alans on August 02, 2008) | ||
| Misterrich |
I posted a while back about blisters on my leg. Its not an exaggeration. What i did to fix this was double wrap my headers and then i lined the inside of the frame with some insulated heating duct tape. I also changed the radiator fluid to Engine ice. With all that done i feel zero heat on my legs | ||
| Jpfive |
I have installed the gripskins. They serve an insulating function, but are primarily there to give me better grip on the tank and airbox cover. They cut down on the transmitted heat from my bike - certainly it is not blistering hot. I live in Florida, and am also using water wetter. I added the recommended amount to the factory coolant. I have not seen coolant temps even approaching 200 degrees since. On my local rides (rural) CT stays in the 170-180 degree range. Commuting, I have not seen higher than 194. I had my first ride today with Odie's new underseat insulating pad. The saddle did not even get warm. Biggest question - will it concentrate heat to components under the saddle to the point that it will damage them? I am postponing coating or wrapping the headers until I see what is offered to '08 owners from the new technology on the '09's. It looks to me like there may be a coating of some sort on the new headers, and I will probably want to take advantage of the revised O2 sensor locations. I hope there will be a kit, including exhaust components and the new injectors, offered at some reasonable cost for upgrade. I have applied heat reflective tape to the limited area that I can reach inside frame near the rear header, but not much of that area is accessible without dropping the engine. I will do a more thorough job of that when I make up my mind on the headers. Jack | ||
| Misterrich |
When my legs got burned it was from stop and go traffic in the city for over an hour in the hot hot sun. When i get moving the heat drops drasticly The hottest i can get my bike up to now is 186 degrees. | ||
| Alans |
Mistrrich, I think yours was the first report I'd read. My apologies for not hearing you the first time. This is a further illustration of human nature, that sometimes it takes more than one report for an issue to register on the radar, and be taken up...especially if those who are receiving our reports are not immediately affected by something similar. This is not addressed to you, but to the community: 'Fixes' we apply to alleviate our problems are well, and good. They keep us riding. But when we address problems with these new machines ourselves, should we then not also report the issue officially so that our report of the original problem can benefit others through an official, wide-spread approach? Ok, I'm getting tired of hearing myself talk. Hopefully everyone gets the idea. Ride safe... Alan | ||
| Madxcat |
So what is the best way to report these problems? I know in person would be the best way, but who should we talk to? store manager? owner?, is there a way to submit feedback to BMC? certified letter? Email? I don't want to come off as a pain in the butt to the dealer but I am really concerned for, not only safety, but the fact that I spent a lot of money for a production bike, that is going to cost me a lot more to fix problems that should have been tested and fixed before the product was released. | ||
| Alans |
Follow the chain of command, i.e report the problem in the following manner, progressing to the next level if the current level feels they've done all they can: Service Writer/Techs Service Manager General Manager Owner BMC I would not approach BMC, nor any successive stage, until I've exhausted the resources available with the current stage. This is simply courtesy, but it's also more efficient that way. As you go up the chain, you are dealing with fewer and fewer numbers. If everyone went to the top of the chain, every time, nothing would ever get done. Write the problem(s) down, as clearly as you're able. If you're not a writer, get somoene to help you articulate your complaints. Keep it business-like, and as free of emotion as you can manage. You want to state facts: What, where, when, how, who. As you go up the chain, facts are all that will be examined and considered. Anything else is fluff. And if our communications are at all abusive, or insulting, they will be very easy to dismiss, or to pursue only half-heartedly. We might feel a lot better to tell 'em like it is, but very likely such will be akin to shooting ourselves in the foot. Once again, we're dealing with human nature here, and how do we feel and react if someone gets in our face and begins to insult us, and/or the organization of which we're emotionally invested? I cannot speak for you, but speaking for myself, I get pissed. And when I'm pissed, I'm not generally in a helpful mood, espcially toward the one who's caused my anger. (Message edited by alans on August 02, 2008) | ||
| Hwyranger |
Alans, Affirm on the second degree burns. My wife insisted I go to urgent care and now my legs are wrapped with gauze and some burn cream. The left leg is also blistered. Before this happened, I was willing to let the hot frame/discomfort on hot days go as par for the course. This is a safety issue. The temps down in the valley here were 95, up in the mountain where most of my riding was upper 80's. Coolant temps were never high. I will be sending the documentation through the channels (not for anything other than getting this problem fixed with our bikes). I don't want anything from BMC or the dealership regarding the burns... This is the second known time of a rider getting burned on the bike. Neither incident showed the bike was out of operating temps or being abused. Aside from the burning legs...the ride was an absolute blast. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Aside from the burning legs...the ride was an absolute blast. At least you didn't let a little burnt flesh ruin your day.  | ||
| Hwyranger |
small price to pay for some good riding. | ||
| Alans |
Tom, I for one really appreciate your efforts to report this issue. I'm sure Buell will be concerned about this once they're aware, and will be thankful for your input, as well. You have to know they don't want to see people injured by their product, regardless of any liability, or other legal issues. This would seem to be first as much an ethical question, as anything. Glad you're ok. Sounds like it was an awesome ride. Those roads are made for the 1125R--or vice versa.  Alan | ||
| Jont |
What kind of pants were you wearing when you got burned? | ||
| Smoke |
the worst part of the heat issue on mine is after a length of time of riding and then coming to a complete stop in traffic that starts and stops. wrecks on the interstate, downtown type-stop and go-crawling along. the discomfort increases as the outside air temperature approaches the 90's. while at speed, it is liveable, but my right foot has to be hung out in the breeze occasionally. i will try to remember to bring my infrared temp gun and do some measuring next week. tim | ||
| Hwyranger |
Jont, This is Tom's wife... He was wearing jeans, but as far as I'm concerned he should be able to ride that bike naked & not worry about getting burned! | ||
| Hwyranger |
PS...He doesn't know I wrote that...but I guess he'll find out when he gets home from work  | ||
| Oddball |
I think visions of Hwyranger riding naked makes every one go     "This just in.... Man rides naked standing like an adv biker to keep from poaching his eggs. Hundreds witness the act of mass mooning before crashing in all directions as they closed their eyes and jerked away in horror. The descriptions given were of a black motorcycle and letters written on his tush. BU on one cheek and ELL on the other. Police are investigating if this BU ELL is a gang symbol and if this was some sort of initiation right."  | ||
| Mrncgy1 |
This is a picture of only my left leg after an hour ride starting at 10:00 p.m. This seems to be getting ridiculous seeing that this is the seventh burn I have received from riding my 1125r. -Tony | ||
| Mrncgy1 |
Left leg burn  | ||
| Misterrich |
I was also wearing jeans. But ill have to try the naked thing now that i have my bike running colder. Pics to follow. | ||
| Mainstreamer |
Some useful information for all R owners: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/F A00022 | ||
| Smoke |
went by the shop and got my temp gun. rode home the long way at a good speed, measured temperature in the shade of 94F, frame at stop-bike not running-127F, clutch cover-200F, exhaust below right footpeg-450F. went back and remeasured after 15min, frame-137F, clutch cover-185F, exhaust-250F. i will try to get some temps of stop and go, stuck in traffic simulations during the week. don't get burned. tim | ||
| Jdugger |
I rode 300+ miles today in 108F heat in northwest Texas. It was HOT. I only really notice the 1125r heat when I'm not moving. When at a stop light, it gets hot really fast. or, if you sit on the bike waiting for your buddy to catch up... wow. hot. Nothing like what you experienced, though. The frame is too hot to touch bare handed, but through summer weight gloves it didn't bother me. I wear full leathers, though. I do notice the bike being a little warmer in jeans. Ever ride a bike in 108F weather in full leathers? You gotta be really stupid and really love riding to do something like that  |
