I have a 09 level three Goldwing that seems to have a temperature reading that never gets above the middle mark on the gauge. When first started the gauge is at the lower end of the reading and seems to move up normally. At first I assumed that this was a average reading but was in Florida last week end and got caught in some stop and go traffic. The air temperature was about 80 degree and in the stop, more than go, traffic the fans kicked on and off several times. I looked at the temperature gauge and it was still on the middle mark. The fans kicked on and off several times while in the traffic but the gauge never moved off the middle mark. I had it in for a oil change and told the service manager about the issue with the temperature gauge and he said that was normal. He says that unless the air temperature is over 100 degree that the gauge won't go above the middle mark. I've ridden for more years than I care to admit to and have had a lot of different machines including two other Goldwings. I have never seen this before, the gauge has always risen until the fans kick on and then the gauge reading goes down as the coolant temperature drops.
Is this something new that I don't know about or is the service guy feeding me a line. I would be interested in any feedback about this.

Thanks
Ken

it seems that the fans on all wings come on when the temp gauge is at the half way point. if the gauge is higher and the fan or fans don't come on you have a problem

Thanks for the reply.
I talked to one of the techs at the dealership today and he basiclly said the same thing. I've had two other Goldwings and a BMW LT and there was more movement in the gauge than on this one. It just made me nervious that it might overheat and I would not be able to catch it.

Thanks again.
Ken

Thanks for the reply.
I talked to one of the techs at the dealership today and he basiclly said the same thing. I've had two other Goldwings and a BMW LT and there was more movement in the gauge than on this one. It just made me nervious that it might overheat and I would not be able to catch it.

Thanks again.
Ken

Ken:

Be aware that the fans, when they come on, pull air from the outside, through the fairing and out the front. Consequently, when you start moving, the fans will kick off at 14-15 MPH, and the normal airflow through the fairing takes over.

Therefore, when in slow-moving traffic, be careful if your only moving at or near the fan speed threshhold (between 15 to 20 MPH), as your bike WILL overheat because your bike is not going fast enough for the airflow to do the job, but too fast for the fans to kick in.

In this situation, you will get the opportunity to see your temp guage register something other than the middle mark. In these situations, it's a good time for a break. Consider a stop until the traffic clears, or take the "alternate route." =)

Jim:

Thanks!
I was at a dead stop when the fans were kicking on.
My concern was that the engine could at some time be overheating without my knowing it because the gauge was not moving. I knew I was not overheating because the fans were kicking on and off. I've had two other Goldwings and a BMW LT and on all of them the gauge would move up and the fans would kick on and then as the gauge went down the fans would kick off. It kind of worried me when the fans were kicking on and off without the gauge moving.

Ken

Ken:

When it overheats, I doubt you'll be unaware. The overflow will start spewing, even if your temp guage doesn't work. =)

Keep the Shiny Side Up!!

JIM

kdale, I just recently purchased an '06 and experienced the same thing. Temp gauge goes up normally as bike warms up from cold start. Once it hits a point just below middle of the gauge it just won't go any higher. This is even as ambient temps were in mid to high 90's. Mechanic at dealer checked it out and said fan still cycles as it should so I should be OK. He's going to look at some other wings and get back to me to let me know if they do the same.

My 09 1800 temp gauge goes to the middle and stays there all day. Very rare for it to go any higher.

Same here. Never had my gauge needle above, just barely touching, the halfway mark.

I rode 3 hours last weekend in 103-105 degree temps and the gauge settled in the middle and never moved. The bike stayed cool, but I got a tad bit warm. Looking at an evaporative cooling vest now.

This is actually nice to read. I have a Level 3, 2008 and I have never seen the temp needle get over the 1/2 way mark not matter how hot or cold the air temp is. The fans seem to kick on and off as described above, but the needle never moves.

Folks, last week I ran through 600 miles of non-stop 100+ Texas heat and the temp gauge never got over the half way mark. The bike temp was the least of my worries. The cool vest was my best friend and one of the best investments you could make. It was 106 in Amarillo. Definately on the warm side. :D

Me too. Fans cycle in slow traffic and at lights in the summer, but rarely in the winter. I've never seen the gauge read beyond normal.

Ditto. And the outside temps around here have been over 100 for 22 days straight. Thinking of relocating to Cape Breton.

My 2010 does the same thing and I never paid much attention to it. I liked the fact that the temp stayed constant and not building heat like my Harley did.

Unhook your fans and start the engine. Let it idle for a little bit. If your temp gage is working properly, I assure you the temp gage will go above the middle reading.
When you have proved your gage works or not, shut the motor done before it does overheat to much!

It could be that the temp switch is designed to hover around normal when within a certain tempurature range, and then start climbing if that range is exceeded. This would keep riders from panicing when the needle climbs a little above normal when the bike is under load, thus bombarding dealers with complaints about (normal) overheating.

A mechanical gauge doesn't lie but with electronics, the manufacturer can control how and when a gauge displays.

Just a thought with no scientific data to support it... :D

It could be that the temp switch is designed to hover around normal when within a certain tempurature range, and then start climbing if that range is exceeded. This would keep riders from panicing when the needle climbs a little above normal when the bike is under load, thus bombarding dealers with complaints about (normal) overheating.

A mechanical gauge doesn't lie but with electronics, the manufacturer can control how and when a gauge displays.

Just a thought with no scientific data to support it... :D

Good thought! After all the earlier complaints of over heating, Honda claimed the system was "improved" starting in 06. Often wondered if they "pinned" the needle at mid-range so the complaints would cease until the radiator spewed.

Good thought! After all the earlier complaints of over heating, Honda claimed the system was "improved" starting in 06. Often wondered if they "pinned" the needle at mid-range so the complaints would cease until the radiator spewed.
Food for thought ??????????? Things that make you go .... Hmmmmmm.........

I was impressed the other day when my wife and I were riding in 100+ degrees for over an hour and the needle never went above the half-way mark. We stopped in DD's for some cold refreshments but the bike could have rode all day in that heat.

I did notice that my bare legs were feeling the headers a lot more than usual. I don't care how I look; at high temps I ride with my bathing suit on and tank top. Don't want to scare the girls away by taking my shirt off.

Do I break the bikers rule by riding in shorts? :)

I was impressed the other day when my wife and I were riding in 100+ degrees for over an hour and the needle never went above the half-way mark. We stopped in DD's for some cold refreshments but the bike could have rode all day in that heat.

I did notice that my bare legs were feeling the headers a lot more than usual. I don't care how I look; at high temps I ride with my bathing suit on and tank top. Don't want to scare the girls away by taking my shirt off.

Do I break the bikers rule by riding in shorts? :)

I see bikers (including myself) in shorts all the time here in Vegas. Just have to be careful what you touch your legs to. :eek: