Lower Temp Radiator Fan Switch?

[DONATALIE]

Anyone tried the lower temp fan switches? Pros or cons?

[Snaggletooth]

Con:

 

Lowering the operating temp of the engine is not the cool (pun) thing to do. The system was designed to run and perform within a set temp range. You may be affecting the overall life of the engine.

 

If you are concerned about overheating at times, consider installing an overide switch to turn the fan on when needed.

 

 

Mike

[DONATALIE]

Thanks, that's what I thought. They're probably just another way to sell "upgrade" aftermarket products that you don't need.

[KiteSquid]

I would probally add a thermostactally controlled oil cooler first.....

 

BUT the RSV motors are almost bullet proof from the factory.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

I COULD be wrong, but normally the thermostat controls the coolant temperature, not the fan. At least, thats the way most engines work.

 

The fan is switched on when the coolant temps climb a bit too high, AFTER the thermostat has opened fully, such as when the bike is idling in traffic on a hot day. It rarely comes on when outside temps are below about 80 degrees, as long as the bike is moving.

 

Changing the fan switch to a lower temp would mean that the fan would activate too early, and if the coolant thermostat senses the engine is cooling off too much, it would partially or fully close, restricting the flow of coolant thru the radiator, and rendering the fans airflow useless. The thermostat will keep the engine at the right operating temp, no matter what the fan is doing.

 

The fan pulls some extra current that is SUPPOSED to be intermittent, so I assume it might tend to burden the charging system and/or battery if it ran constantly.

 

Adding a manual override switch to activate the fan during high summer temps, when pulling a trailer up a long grade for example, might STILL be a good idea, but so far, I've not had any problems. Downshifting during a long hard pull not only places the RPMs in the proper range for more power, but also circulates MORE coolant, and circulates it faster, since the water pump is driven off the engine's crankshaft.