Engine Heat?

Lots of ST1300 owners have commented about the excessive heat coming off their engine, sometimes enough to feel like it's burning if the legs are bare. Not so much with the CTX1300 even though it is the same engine. During the last week we've had many humid days in the upper 80s and at least one just into the 90s. While I have some heat off the engine it's really more like just very warm. The difference between the two bikes is that the ST1300 has the engine completely enclosed in plastic except the very tops of the cylinder head covers so heat builds up a lot in there. The CTX1300 is much more open so heat doesn't build up nearly as much. Where the warmth was felt is on the upper shins. I do wear riding pants, always, and recommend it. :smiley-happy0034: Oh, and I did notice that moving the knees out slightly made it so I didn't feel any heat/warmth from the engine.
I haven't felt any heat at all anywhere else. I don't expect any issues with it as summer warms up in the next few months.

NOTE: - Just my opinion here....I dont want to start an argument but...

I've noticed a fair amount of heat off this engine. I wear jeans but tall Sidi Fusion boots.

Now granted, since Im in WI, this is a welcome issue and actually allows me to ride down to colder temps than I could with my last bike, which was virtually totally shielded from the driver. The heat the engine throws keeps me warmer in colder temps. So, thats cool!

When it's 90 out, like it was here last week - the engine tosses a fair amount of heat - in my opinion. But lower than that, the heat from the engine is not a problem. I have never owned a cruiser or a bike with such an exposed engine like ours is, so I have nothing to compare it with and this heat may be a normal fact of bikes with exposed engines like ours.

If you like/love the bike, I would not consider this a deal breaker.

If you're totally split 50/50 on this and another bike? - Well....if you live where it's ungawdly hot all the time...I'm not sure then.

-Hanadarko

And now, my two cents
firstly, ill state black leather and the sun do not compliment each other
that being said, i find myself riding my ctx predominantly in shorts for recreation
naturally, i wear pants and full dress for work, but when its my time, shorts and a shirt
and i cant express how comfortable it is
unlike every other previous liquid cooled engine, v45 magna, and 1100 shadow in particular, when engine hit heat
the fan kicked on
not only a warm rush of air, but a defining wher or whine of the fan
not the ctx, i know its happening as i can feel the increase in heat, but ill be dammed if i can hear it
it is really comfortable, as the engine heat seeps through the cowling between your legs
add in the heated hand grips and in wind, rain, and snow (yes, i said snow)
its not only comfortable, but enjoyable
the day i picked it up, over 60 miles away, was snowing, and minus 3-5 Celsius, thought i would freeze
but honestly, if not for the fear of the snow, i enjoyed in immensely

again, with the comfort, shorts shirt and sunglasses, crank up the tunes and lets ride

El Loco D