Topic: Shut down the engine in traffic?

[jonclegg]

I live in Austin, the summers here can get really hot. Should I turn off the engine if i'm waiting a long time at a light to prevent over heating? This might be a stupid question, but I know when syncing the carbs people put fans in front of the engine to keep it cool, it seems like waiting at a light for 2 minutes with the engine already hot might be a concern.

thanks,

[Airborne 82nd]

I don't think 2 minutes would be a issue for heat. How many lights now that could add up. I go by how the motor sounds when it gets to hot it will start telling you. What bike might make a difference for charging. You might want to change the oil a little sooner for heat the oil pump and high heat does a number on your oil. These bike were designed for longer trips with the motor going above 4000 most of the time that does not mean staying in first gear to keep the rpm's up

[strynboen]

you can smell when the engine gets REAL hot...and no vorry before it starts to smell and smoke oil fumes...worst senerio are stop start slow going over long time..there it can be good to pull aut of traffic..and hold a rest

[bjbuchanan]

Slow speed is fine, it happens. Like others said, you can really smell it when the start to cook. I shut it down for a light I know I will be sitting at for a couple mins guaranteed, lights I'm familiar with

[Rgconner]

If it starts surging you are in big trouble. Means the gas may be boiling in the carbs. With road temps at 118 to 120 not uncommon here in Sac, lane splitting is a must. But you can't always do it.

Had that happen to me on the Tipga pass, going into Yosemite. I pulled to the shoulder and putted up to the side of the road by the Ranger entrance. 2 mile line of cars paying to get into Yosemite.

Ranger stormed over said I could not cut in line. I agreed, and just pointed out that trying to clutch uphill on 6% grade doing stop and go with an air cooled bike was going to destroy it, and I would just wait until the motorhome I was behind got up here. I told him I had already paid, I was just re-entering after going to Lee Vining for a shower. (no showers at Toulmene Meadows, unless you wanna dip in the freezing cold Dana Fork)

After hearing that, he asked to see my tag and my 5 day pass for camping and said "Well, since you paid already, just go ahead and go in. Have a nice day."

That little bit of oil that leaks on the fin? When it gets too hot, that will start bubbling. You are close to overheating.

[dave500]

they can take more heat than you think,ive synced plenty of carbs with no fan in our hot summer,you risk a hard start if you shut down over and again,a fresh battery will handle it but I think its unsafe to be without the engine running surrounded by cars.

[2wheels]

I always turn my engine off if it going to be a long light and our hottest days are only 80 F.

[calj737]

Dave makes 2 very good points: battery drain and safety. Best to pull out of traffic if you think you need to kill the motor to prevent overheating.

As for killing an engine in traffic, despite being at a light, is pure NUTS! It's also extremely unsafe riding behaviour. You run the great risk of needing to get the hell outta the way before a car turns you into a road spot and not being able to. What happens if you don't re-start quickly enough and the cars around you do. Really stupid choices... It violates the first rule of rider safety, be repaired to get out of danger. A dead engine is your worst liability.

Pull out if you need, else, stay in gear, keep it running, and wind it up when you can.

[grasscutter]

Never shut down engine in traffic!  Are you serious?
You don't deserve the motorcycle endorsement. 

Pull off to the shoulder before making a decision to shut off your ride.

Dave and Calij both are dead on.  You think Honda engineers didn't account for sitting in traffic in high heat conditions? 

Don't over think this.