r1200s - how hot can they go?

[ted]

Having owed the bike for the last ten years you would think i would know the answer to this! Today, after a reasonable run out i got held up in a long tailback of traffic, the temp gauge rose from its normal 4 bars to 5 and then eventually 6. On the temp gauge, level with the 6th bar is a small arrow shaped indicator which i'm not sure what it's supposed to indicate . Firstly what does the indicator actually represent? Secondly, how hot can the boxers really get bearing in mind they often go round the world in the hottest climates? Does anyone have any tips to prevent such increases other than turning the bike off in traffic or do they just run and run no matter how long they tickover?

cheers

[popsky]

When mine gets to max temp it will just stop, always in very slow moving traffic on a warm/hot day, can’t remember seeing any indication other than the blocks but I was just trying to keep her cool so wasn’t paying much attention to anything else

[ted]

The indicator is a small arrow fixed as part of the screen display on 6 bars. I look at putting a photo on

[popsky]

I can’t remember seeing that but would assume it’s telling you your near max and once the bike reaches max temp it will stop, not a nice experience I must say, if I’m near that point now I will pull over and switch off, I’d rather that than get stuck in a que of traffi. There was a Greek chap here a long time ago Peter iirc, he’d fitted a fan to cool his bike, must say I hadn’t payed that much attention being here in cool old Blighty lol, might have to resurrect that topic

[popsky]

When BMW specified Full Synth engine oil I can’t remember the bike having this problem, now it’s on semi synth that’s the only time it seems to have happened BUT it could be I didn’t find myself in that situation or coincidence, but I’m going to have Castrol fully synthetic next service

[ted]

im running semi synthetic oil which is about 100 miles old - i reckon i was in traffic for about 20 mins. I can see fully synthetic oil coping better with temperature but not sure if it can dissipate heat any better?

[ted]

hopefully if the picture loads you will see the mentioned indicator near to the neutral pointing towards the temp gauge area. I dont know if the bars will actually go above that mark - any ideas?

The indicator equals 6 bars on the gauge

[popsky]

that mark is the top threshold, any hotter and it cuts the engine

[popsky]

im running semi synthetic oil which is about 100 miles old - i reckon i was in traffic for about 20 mins. I can see fully synthetic oil coping better with temperature but not sure if it can dissipate heat any better?

Seems about right

[Cusi]

Playing with the GS911 you can do a temp guage check. When it reaches max the red warning light comes on and the bottom temp bar flashes. Re oil surely the weight is more important than whether its synth. Book recommends a 50w for hot temps.

[ted]

thanks for the response. Out of interest - does the gauge actually stop at the marker - ie 6 bars or does it go higher?