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Is the LT a heat machine in the summer??

4.4K views 44 replies 33 participants last post by  hip001  
#1 ·
I live in central Florida where the temps usually stay in the 80's except for a few week cooler period. My question to you: Is the LT a heat machine?? My only reference is my 95 K1100LT that you could roast your peanuts on(please excuse this graphic reference). I was never so happy(and sad) to see a bike go. It was simply not enjoyable to ride because of the heat. The R1100Rt was much much cooler! I do understand the difference between the Boxer and the Brick so I'm not that new, I am just asking if the LT has improved to a acceptable hot weather machine??
Thank you for your replies.....
Hip
 
#3 ·
The only time I have felt the heat is when I don't wear pants under my mesh gear. And at 99 degrees, 95 % humidity it wasn't that bad. I wore long socks and LD comfort shorts only under my first gear meshtex pants on the trip up to Wisconson last year and I did notice a bit of heat but it was not unpleasant. I don't even notice it if I have jeans on under the mesh gear.
 
#4 ·
I bought my 05 LT at Daytona BMW when I lived in Cocoa and found it much more comfortable in the summer than the RoadGlide I traded in on it. I now live in Utah and the LT is comfy in the summer and pure joy in the cooler months. Not related, but the LT is really amazing in the canyons and mountain roads. I also have a sport bike and a dual purpose but am always amazed when I get back on the LT and remind myself what a great bike it is.
 
#5 ·
Not at all! Gets pretty warm here :eek: Rode to Monterey Ca. last summer and went through Death Valley and Phoenix @ noon/110+ deg. 2-up and wasn't to bad ;) Locally its not even a thought :)
 
#6 ·
The LT is one of the best bikes out there for keeping engine heat off the rider. So much so that in winter one would wish that some of it could easily be funneled back onto the rider. I would sometimes stick my knees out in cold weather to be able to feel a little of the heat from the radiators on the inside of my lower legs. Otherwise it just blows around you.
 
#7 ·
dshealey said:
The LT is one of the best bikes out there for keeping engine heat off the rider. So much so that in winter one would wish that some of it could easily be funneled back onto the rider. I would sometimes stick my knees out in cold weather to be able to feel a little of the heat from the radiators on the inside of my lower legs. Otherwise it just blows around you.
After a weekend of riding with my Coast Guard friend and his FLHTCUI (HD Bagger) at every stop he was complaining about the engine heat coming up and around his legs, I was nice and comfortable on my 03 LT. I find it much cooler and a joy over my 97 FXD.
Loving every minute of it!
Heck, I don't even mind taking off the plastic anymore!
 
#8 ·
One thing that sold me on the LT was how much cooler it was than a wing; HD was a non-issue for me (they proved to me I should never buy another HD).

I test rode a wing when it was only in the upper 90sF in stop and go--it roasted my left boot. That was one of the reasons I chose the LT over the wing.

Bob, 00LT
 
#9 ·
I remember when the full fairing K bikes first came out. The heat was unbearable.

The LT runs pretty cool in the Houston summers. If it runs a little hot for your taste, try some synthetic motor oil and propylene glycol coolant. Both lowered the temps a little for me.
 
#10 ·
LT's Ice Cold compared to some

I have never had anything hotter between my legs .... and I mean EVER :mad: -- than a 2007 Harley Ultra-Glide in traffic on a hot day. Thank goodness it was a rental and I could drop it back to the dealer. :)
If you prefer to not make a "relative to" comparison -- there is very little engine heat hitting the LT driver ........ almost imperceptible.
Keir
 
#11 ·
Thank you!

I am sooooo glad that the group of you agree that the LT is also good in the summer. My old K11LT would roast you! Thank you for the replies! I'm gonna buy this 2000 LT if the test ride goes well. I have a couple friends that bought the 06/07 HD and had to buy the heat deflectors to keep some of the heat off the inner thighs. I think the HD is interesting but just not for me. I really enjoy the 30 min wash and dry time over my buddies that spend 1-2 hrs cleaning and polishing all the bling and cringe at every puddle. I will be happy to be on another Beemer and hopefully the LT will live up to my expectations!
Thanks again,
Hip
 
#14 ·
In Southern Arizona it can get just a tad hot. Not covering your seat during the day can definitely cause a little discomfort and making sure your seat heater is off helps too ! Experience talking here. But air movement while riding is as good as it can get.

Haven't figured out how the factory A/C works yet but everything else on the bike does. :D
 
#15 ·
Cooler than most!

My pre-LT ride was a HD FLHTC (Classic). When you would stop, the heat would broil you. I once rode a Valkerie which did the same ALL THE TIME! I couldn't wait to get off that toaster!
 
#16 ·
hip001 said:
I live in central Florida where the temps usually stay in the 80's except for a few week cooler period. My question to you: Is the LT a heat machine?? My only reference is my 95 K1100LT that you could roast your peanuts on(please excuse this graphic reference). I was never so happy(and sad) to see a bike go. It was simply not enjoyable to ride because of the heat. The R1100Rt was much much cooler! I do understand the difference between the Boxer and the Brick so I'm not that new, I am just asking if the LT has improved to a acceptable hot weather machine??
Thank you for your replies.....
Hip
I ride year around in Arizona. No heat problems. a lot better than wing, HD and Victory Vision.
 
#19 ·
Another 'Zonie here. Any heat from the LT is directed away out to the side away from the rider.

I was stuck in traffic in Spokane WA a couple of years ago on a 99 F day when two HD's pulled up, one on each side, at a light. They proceeded to yell at each other about how hot it must be to be wearing winter clothes (ATGATT) on a day like this. I was thinking it's not too bad, hope you guys don't figure out where all my engine heat is being blown.
 
#20 ·
Heat

wkclark said:
I have never had anything hotter between my legs .... and I mean EVER :mad: -- than a 2007 Harley Ultra-Glide in traffic on a hot day. Thank goodness it was a rental and I could drop it back to the dealer. :)
If you prefer to not make a "relative to" comparison -- there is very little engine heat hitting the LT driver ........ almost imperceptible.
Keir
I've had the exact opposite experience. I found the Electra Glide Classic I rode for several days in 100+ temperatures to be much more comfortable than my 1200. I am always thankful that the previous owner put the J-Pegs on it so that I can get my legs up out of the heat. The heat is appreciated in cold weather to be sure, but I do all my non-commuting riding in the summer.
 
#21 ·
Sit down, this'll take a minute.

Last summer we took our first long trip on the LT. Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. You know, it's hot down here in the summer anyway, but OMG, thought we were going to die from the heat we were soaking up from this machine!

Poor wife was sweating on the back seat. Putting a towel down helped but it seemed Godawful hot. Then, on one sultry night while camping out in Louisiana at a Hampton Inn, I got bored and was flipping through the owner's manual. You've got to be kidding me... I had BOTH seat heater switches flipped to the forward position instead of the middle position (off). EUREKA! Flipped them dern switches to OFF and the next two July days were lovely on the LT.

So no, the LT is not a hotty in the summer, unless you make it so.
 
#22 ·
Yes the LT is a heat machine...! I bagged every woman who rode back there with me...:histerica
Sorry, I did not have the strength to resist...:eek: :rolleyes:
 
#24 ·
If you say so...:rolleyes:
big_ed said:
So, I take it you ride solo then, huh?
 
#25 ·
Riding back from CCR through AZ last September with Kathy we hit 115F...

Then it got worse... (Yes, it did!:eek: ). At the AZ/CA border traffic was stopped for inspection... in the hot sun, no shade in sight. It took 20 minutes in hot He11 before we got on our way again. We had to hit the first gas station to cool off and re-hydrate...! I think that was the worst part of an otherwise great trip. I must say the LT does a very good job at keeping the engine heat away from rider and pillion, even when stopped and with no air-flow.
Doug did the smart thing and travelled way early in the day before the temp got too high on his way back to La Quinta.