What is the normal operating temperature?
- Hearn660
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:40 pm
- Location: Palm City, FL
- Motorcycle: 1998 GL 1500
What is the normal operating temperature?
Good day fellow GLers! My question is just that what is the normal operating temperature range?
I live in south Florida and it’s hot out, really hot. I went for a ride this morning and the ambient temp was around 90 degrees. I went on a quick 10 mile rip to see if I could see some turkey hens and chics feeders by this spot I know this morning on a quiet country road. I pulled over to take some pictures. While riding the temp stays around 175. I pulled over hopped off and left the the bike running. At idle the temp got to 215 with the fans running. I shut it down and could hear the coolant, I do not know the term so I will say bubbling. I hopped back on and put some wind through it. I’m ran it up to speed under low RPMs it quickly went back to 175 and stayed. I was just curious, was it because of the ambient temps being so high and I let it idle for about 5 mins with no air going the radiator?
I live in south Florida and it’s hot out, really hot. I went for a ride this morning and the ambient temp was around 90 degrees. I went on a quick 10 mile rip to see if I could see some turkey hens and chics feeders by this spot I know this morning on a quiet country road. I pulled over to take some pictures. While riding the temp stays around 175. I pulled over hopped off and left the the bike running. At idle the temp got to 215 with the fans running. I shut it down and could hear the coolant, I do not know the term so I will say bubbling. I hopped back on and put some wind through it. I’m ran it up to speed under low RPMs it quickly went back to 175 and stayed. I was just curious, was it because of the ambient temps being so high and I let it idle for about 5 mins with no air going the radiator?
- Rambozo
- Posts: 4041
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 8:36 pm
- Location: Disneyland
- Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
Ducati Monster
Re: What is the normal operating temperature?
Yes, when not moving it will rise to the fan activation temp of 210. It should be able to hold that with the fans cycling on and off every few minutes. The temp will cycle right around 210 maybe 200-220 as the fans turn off and on. When it's cold outside the fans won't need to run much, but when it's hot they may run almost continuously. When riding at speed it should be cycling right around the thermostat temp of 180 to 195.
- MikeB
- Posts: 4137
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: Current
1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
205K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
46K Miles
Previous
SOLD 1999 - GL1500, 161K Miles
SOLD 2003 - GL1800 ABS w/117K - Sold
SOLD 2003 - GL1800 w/67K Miles
SOLD 2001 - ST1100 w/33K Miles - Contact:
Re: What is the normal operating temperature?
I can only assume that you are guessing at the temperatures of the coolant since there are no temperature numbers on the GL1500 temperature gauge. How do you know what the coolant or engine temperature was?Hearn660 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 23, 2023 9:49 am Good day fellow GLers! My question is just that what is the normal operating temperature range?
I live in south Florida and it’s hot out, really hot. I went for a ride this morning and the ambient temp was around 90 degrees. I went on a quick 10 mile rip to see if I could see some turkey hens and chics feeders by this spot I know this morning on a quiet country road. I pulled over to take some pictures. While riding the temp stays around 175. I pulled over hopped off and left the the bike running. At idle the temp got to 215 with the fans running. I shut it down and could hear the coolant, I do not know the term so I will say bubbling. I hopped back on and put some wind through it. I’m ran it up to speed under low RPMs it quickly went back to 175 and stayed. I was just curious, was it because of the ambient temps being so high and I let it idle for about 5 mins with no air going the radiator?
As to normal operating range, with my 1998 GL1500 and the 1989 and 1999 GL1500's I have owned, the fans will come on when the temperature needle on the temperature gauge is in the middle of the scale. Anything less is normal. When riding in 90 degree weather and not sitting at idle, the gauge will indicate between 1/4 scale and 1/2 scale. At Idle, it will eventually climb to center scale or a bit more and at some point after that, the fans will come on and maintain that temperature. I have never seen it more than slightly above center scale.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/205,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/46,000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/205,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/46,000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- Hearn660
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:40 pm
- Location: Palm City, FL
- Motorcycle: 1998 GL 1500
Re: What is the normal operating temperature?
Mike thanks bud I actually switched to a new info center in place of the LCD screen. It replaces the the fuel and temperature gauges. It is a plug and play that has a read out on the screen. I was just curious on the temp and make sure my thermostat was workin. Which it sounds like it is. Thanks for the response, here is a picture of the new screen.MikeB wrote: ↑Sun Jul 23, 2023 10:45 amI can only assume that you are guessing at the temperatures of the coolant since there are no temperature numbers on the GL1500 temperature gauge. How do you know what the coolant or engine temperature was?Hearn660 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 23, 2023 9:49 am Good day fellow GLers! My question is just that what is the normal operating temperature range?
I live in south Florida and it’s hot out, really hot. I went for a ride this morning and the ambient temp was around 90 degrees. I went on a quick 10 mile rip to see if I could see some turkey hens and chics feeders by this spot I know this morning on a quiet country road. I pulled over to take some pictures. While riding the temp stays around 175. I pulled over hopped off and left the the bike running. At idle the temp got to 215 with the fans running. I shut it down and could hear the coolant, I do not know the term so I will say bubbling. I hopped back on and put some wind through it. I’m ran it up to speed under low RPMs it quickly went back to 175 and stayed. I was just curious, was it because of the ambient temps being so high and wI let it idle for about 5 mins with no air going the radiator?
As to normal operating range, with my 1998 GL1500 and the 1989 and 1999 GL1500's I have owned, the fans will come on when the temperature needle on the temperature gauge is in the middle of the scale. Anything less is normal. When riding in 90 degree weather and not sitting at idle, the gauge will indicate between 1/4 scale and 1/2 scale. At Idle, it will eventually climb to center scale or a bit more and at some point after that, the fans will come on and maintain that temperature. I have never seen it more than slightly above center scale.
- MikeB
- Posts: 4137
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: Current
1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
205K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
46K Miles
Previous
SOLD 1999 - GL1500, 161K Miles
SOLD 2003 - GL1800 ABS w/117K - Sold
SOLD 2003 - GL1800 w/67K Miles
SOLD 2001 - ST1100 w/33K Miles - Contact:
Re: What is the normal operating temperature?
Really nice set up. That must be that $400+ screen I was reading about not long ago. I'm liking the way it looks. I have to admit, I would love to have the same screen. Just need to give it a little more thought.Hearn660 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 23, 2023 7:27 pm
Mike thanks bud I actually switched to a new info center in place of the LCD screen. It replaces the the fuel and temperature gauges. It is a plug and play that has a read out on the screen. I was just curious on the temp and make sure my thermostat was workin. Which it sounds like it is. Thanks for the response, here is a picture of the new screen.
How complicated was the install?
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/205,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/46,000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/205,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/46,000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- Hearn660
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:40 pm
- Location: Palm City, FL
- Motorcycle: 1998 GL 1500
Re: What is the normal operating temperature?
MikeB wrote: ↑Sun Jul 23, 2023 7:38 pmReally nice set up. That must be that $400+ screen I was reading about not long ago. I'm liking the way it looks. I have to admit, I would love to have the same screen. Just need to give it a little more thought.Hearn660 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 23, 2023 7:27 pm
Mike thanks bud I actually switched to a new info center in place of the LCD screen. It replaces the the fuel and temperature gauges. It is a plug and play that has a read out on the screen. I was just curious on the temp and make sure my thermostat was workin. Which it sounds like it is. Thanks for the response, here is a picture of the new screen.
How complicated was the install?
It is time consuming as we both know there is a lot of plastic to take off. The actual install is basically plug and play. He labels everything and sends detailed instructions. There was a couple spots where i had to read them a couple times, due to the English isn’t the same around the world but east to decipher. I started in the morning and was riding by dusk. The guy Pierre that makes them is a super nice and helpful guy. He is in Belgium and the time difference was a little tricky but if you ask him questions he will answer them. I really like it and it is pretty customizable. He sends out updates and they are easy to download. Believe me if I can do it anyone can!
- jbaviera
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2017 11:16 pm
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Motorcycle: 1995 GL1500A Aspencade
1979 Honda CM400T
2009 Yamaha VStar 950 Tourer (traded for the GW)
1985 Honda VF500C (sold) - Contact:
Re: What is the normal operating temperature?
I was wondering the same thing. but mine has always run what I believe to be high (Old gauge was always at about the 3/4 mark). I believe I'm going to go ahead and replace the thermostat anyway.Hearn660 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 23, 2023 7:27 pmMike thanks bud I actually switched to a new info center in place of the LCD screen. It replaces the the fuel and temperature gauges. It is a plug and play that has a read out on the screen. I was just curious on the temp and make sure my thermostat was workin. Which it sounds like it is. Thanks for the response, here is a picture of the new screen.MikeB wrote: ↑Sun Jul 23, 2023 10:45 amI can only assume that you are guessing at the temperatures of the coolant since there are no temperature numbers on the GL1500 temperature gauge. How do you know what the coolant or engine temperature was?Hearn660 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 23, 2023 9:49 am Good day fellow GLers! My question is just that what is the normal operating temperature range?
I live in south Florida and it’s hot out, really hot. I went for a ride this morning and the ambient temp was around 90 degrees. I went on a quick 10 mile rip to see if I could see some turkey hens and chics feeders by this spot I know this morning on a quiet country road. I pulled over to take some pictures. While riding the temp stays around 175. I pulled over hopped off and left the the bike running. At idle the temp got to 215 with the fans running. I shut it down and could hear the coolant, I do not know the term so I will say bubbling. I hopped back on and put some wind through it. I’m ran it up to speed under low RPMs it quickly went back to 175 and stayed. I was just curious, was it because of the ambient temps being so high and wI let it idle for about 5 mins with no air going the radiator?
As to normal operating range, with my 1998 GL1500 and the 1989 and 1999 GL1500's I have owned, the fans will come on when the temperature needle on the temperature gauge is in the middle of the scale. Anything less is normal. When riding in 90 degree weather and not sitting at idle, the gauge will indicate between 1/4 scale and 1/2 scale. At Idle, it will eventually climb to center scale or a bit more and at some point after that, the fans will come on and maintain that temperature. I have never seen it more than slightly above center scale.
I have this new display as well. Pierre recently sent me an update so I can have a 24hour clock, as I didn't like the way the 12hour clock displays.
Making sawdust with 100% efficiency!
- Rambozo
- Posts: 4041
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 8:36 pm
- Location: Disneyland
- Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
Ducati Monster
Re: What is the normal operating temperature?
When moving it should cycle right around the thermostat temp.
However, when stopped there is no airflow, so it will then cycle right around the fan switch temp.
To keep the fans from running too much they set those two temps a distance apart.
The thermostat will be around 80°C and the fan switch will be around 100°C.
However, when stopped there is no airflow, so it will then cycle right around the fan switch temp.
To keep the fans from running too much they set those two temps a distance apart.
The thermostat will be around 80°C and the fan switch will be around 100°C.
- NS0O50438
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- Motorcycle: 92 GL1500SE 98,000 mi
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Re: What is the normal operating temperature?
This thread had me thinking. I changed to coolant on the new 2 me 92’ GL1500SE didn’t like the temperature gauge getting to the 3/4 way mark before the fan came on. I also didn’t think the fans:radiator were cooling, they way I expected.
The attached pictures are at 200F (93C) what I found while testing it with a cooking thermometer, not calibrated, comparing the OEM? and new thermostat, both have 80c stamped.
The new started opening sooner. I believe the estimated 2mm of additional opening help at full open.
I also bought new sensors, hopefully they will turn the fan on at the 2/3 and not the 3/4 mark.
The attached pictures are at 200F (93C) what I found while testing it with a cooking thermometer, not calibrated, comparing the OEM? and new thermostat, both have 80c stamped.
The new started opening sooner. I believe the estimated 2mm of additional opening help at full open.
I also bought new sensors, hopefully they will turn the fan on at the 2/3 and not the 3/4 mark.
- Rambozo
- Posts: 4041
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 8:36 pm
- Location: Disneyland
- Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
Ducati Monster
Re: What is the normal operating temperature?
It is kinda funny that you are almost splitting degrees when testing but then refer to an unlabeled gauge that you estimate from 2/3 to 3/4 range.
Typically the fans turn on around 3/4, but since the gauge has no marks, everyone estimates differently. If you want you could calibrate the stock gauge. I have no idea what temp the red zone is, either. My guess would be 115-120°C, but that's just a wild ass guess. As long as the fans are cycling, the cooling system is performing at spec. If the fans don't turn off, then something is not up to scratch, even if the gauge doesn't hit red.
BTW One thing that has been reported by Dennis and Bike and others, is the temp switch and sensor can get coated with deposits from the coolant and that acts as an insulator and can shift the temp by a few degrees. So you might want to give them both a good cleaning and retest.
Typically the fans turn on around 3/4, but since the gauge has no marks, everyone estimates differently. If you want you could calibrate the stock gauge. I have no idea what temp the red zone is, either. My guess would be 115-120°C, but that's just a wild ass guess. As long as the fans are cycling, the cooling system is performing at spec. If the fans don't turn off, then something is not up to scratch, even if the gauge doesn't hit red.
BTW One thing that has been reported by Dennis and Bike and others, is the temp switch and sensor can get coated with deposits from the coolant and that acts as an insulator and can shift the temp by a few degrees. So you might want to give them both a good cleaning and retest.
- NS0O50438
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2024 3:43 pm
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- Motorcycle: 92 GL1500SE 98,000 mi
- Contact:
Re: What is the normal operating temperature?
The test shown in the picture was to find out what temp the thermostat started to open and the temperature of full open. The OEM? never fully opened and I will see if that changes where “ambient” is when cruising @ 55