HOT '07

I just bought an '07 Factory and it blows so much heat at the back of my legs it's painful. I had an Honda RC51 before this so I'm used to riding a hot bike, but the Aprilia is ridiculous, almost unrideable. The factory rep. said they've had no other complaints on this year's model and that they've made changes to improve over last year. Anyone else? Any solutions? I only have 200 miles on the bike and it does seem to have improved only slightly, but still almost unbearable. 2wheelblonde

Well,it's definitely hot weather here in Phoenix now, 116F yesterday, and that's enough to curl my ponytail, but you just have to ride earlier in the morning when it's only 90-95. But the weather and/or my speed have little affect on the amount of heat I get which seems to be coming from the engine and not the mufflers. The bike doesn't run hot (192F). None of the magazine reviews have mentioned heat as an issue. I wonder if your '06 is the same bike as the '07 in the US or if the factory actually made any modifications between the two? 2wheelblonde

OK, then I just have to quit being a woosey girl and get over it, or put some heat reflectors inside my leathers. Thanks for your reply. 2wheelblonde

Thanks for the help. I was discussing my problem with a local guy over the weekend...he actually puts plastic bubblewrap inside the legs of his leathers as insulation[V] because he was getting blisters! I don't think I can fit bubblewrap inside my pants, so some other option would be preferable. I'll check out your suggestions. 2wheelblonde

CUTE!! A Brit with a sense of humor! I assume you want that photo with bubblewrap minus the leathers?? I'll see what I can do. I'm having better luck with some suppliers of undergear for auto racers, made of Nomex and some others. Also I was told if I replace the thermostat I can reduce the engine temp from 190 to 160 and I'll have my mechanic do that asap. It's tough being such a whimpy girl, but I'm dealing with it the best I can.[:p]

Thanks for sharing that. At least I know this will improve then. More than I can say for your weather...I'd shoot myself man! (oops sorry)

Apologies lads,forgot to mention that when its not wet and cold we have the best biking roads and scenery on the planet!!!!! YE HA Slide show was excellent Badger,reminds me what a beautifull country I stay in,looks like its Argyle for the Sunday run,can't wait.

Glad you peeps liked the slideshow, i had a blast making it!! Ireland is nice Betty, but not quite as dramatic as Scotland, the roads in Ireland are not so good for biking either, some amazing road racing though.............mad mental stuff on closed public roads, my kind of adrenalin rush[:0] Kewl[8D, you could email your photo to me by clicking on the small icon above with the envelope on it (second from left) , as long as it does not make me blush[:I] Just heading out for a ride right now on my cool[;)] Factory, nooooooooo bubble wrap needed[:)]

It works!!! You can't even see the bubblewrap through my leathers[:p] Oh, did you WANT to see the bubblewrap? I'll try to schedule a trip to Scotland to see how the riding compares to Arizona mountains. Where do you rent bikes there? Going to Alaska next month and hopefully New Zealand in January. Stay cool! http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n57/bettybabuu/BettyBubbleWrapGirl/?sc=1&multi=2&addtype=local&media=image Betty

Marv, glad ya liked them dude, but Devon is only a stones throw mate, i had a lad come from Denmark this year, 3200 miles all in, so should be a breeze for you[;)] Kewl pics BettyBubbleWrap, i like this one in particular, it's got a sort of Lonerider air to it, which is ace, that is one very dry place you live there, if you are coming to Scotland bring some waterproofs girl, err or some bubblewrap[:D] [img]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n57/bettybabuu/BettyBubbleWrapGirl/Aprilia-and-me-2.jpg[/img]

Finally had a break in the weather here (only 90's today) and got the bike to my mechanic. He put it on the dyno and used a lazer heat sensing gun on it (the exhaust pipe ran only 150F but the ambient temp was 500-600F), made a few minor adjustments fuel wise to make it run leaner up to 4,000 rpm and on the way home it was definitely way cooler...it's actually tolerable at this point. In a few days he's going to wrap the exhaust pipe...he used to race the RSVR and says he wrapped the exhaust pipe to protect the rear suspension from all that heat...he thinks that will eliminate any heat I'm still getting. He has to remove the exhaust system to get it fixed, total cost is about $200, worth every penny and now I can use the bubblewrap for other purposes.[:X] Thanks for your help on this. Thanks also for the info about Photobucket.com, easy way to send pics, can't stop![;)] Bettybubblewrap

like the bike 2wheelblonde, I`ve just changed my 2000 mille for an 2005 Factory and can`t believe how much hotter the thing is, modification on its way. Also if you are ever in Scottsdale, look up the TT Roadhouse, belongs to a friend of mine, Brad, I lent him a BMW GS to go touring on when he was over a couple of years back, he also has a bar called Shadys, which is a bit closer to Phoenix, he`s a good guy.