I don't get much if any engine heat from my 2012. Honda did a good job of deflecting any heat away from the rider. You will want to get air wings that go under the mirrors to deflect some cool air on you. You also have the windshield vent for cooling air. The fairing keeps the air off of you, so it is nice to have some air blowing on you on a hot day. The nice thing is, you can close those off on a cool day and stay nice and comfortable.

 

Due to the differences in the engine, you will be significantly more comfortable on the Wing. When I purchased my 2015 Wing, I planned on riding it to Pigeon Forge. Weather, specifically a ice storm, prevented me from riding down to Pigeon Forge, TN. On the way down, my wife and I discussed the idea of renting a Harley while we were there and we did. Anyways, we rented a 2016 Ultra Classic with the heat shields between the rider and the engine. On the way to return the bike at the end of the day, we got caught in Pigeon Forge's Rod Run, which led to stop and go traffic for over an hour. As a result, my inner thighs had mild burns from the engine. I have ridden my 2015 Wing for over 90k miles without ever feeling anywhere near that kind of discomfort. So much so, I often think of that experience as to why I don't own a V-Twin.

I forgot to add, I ride frequently in hot weather, the last couple of days in the 90's and at times end up in similar situations and though it is hot outside, there is not any excessive heat between my legs that would burn me as I had with the Harley

 

Wings characteristically keep the occupant cooler than V-twins. So much of the engine heat is managed in a way to achieve it. They tried so hard on the 2001-2017’s that they reversed the fan operation to push that heat out the front of the bike, and it caused an overheat condition when slow moving type parameters prevented adequate air flow over the radiators. Your only option was to stop and let the radiator fans cool the bike. Suffice it to say, you will not feel that V-twin heat on a wing. You should try my Pacific coast, all heated air is routed down and under the bike. It’s a down right cold bike when riding in the low 60’s or upper 50’s.

 

It is rare that feel the heat off 2012.

 

The only heat I feel when riding my 04 is the weather temps - not from the bike. I agree with @snowmoer about the windscreen vent. I open it up and it provides a nice breeze chest level. I have never had to pull my bike over to the side of the road and let the radiator fans cool down the engine in 64+ thousand miles. That includes being in stop and go traffic. Just this week on July 4th I was on a ride with a group and we had to pull over several times because of parades and not once did the bike overheat while watching the marchers and floats make it down the streets until we could continue on and the temperature was 93*.

Most will advice getting the 2006 or newer because of the increased radiator size and if the price is in your budget I would say go for it. Oh yea, prior to 2004 the Wing did NOT come with the windscreen vent - many purchased an aftermarket vent or changed their windscreen to include the vent.

 

Conditions need to be just right for the heating up condition on the older 1800’s. I will call it a “heating up condition” to prevent fear, because I too have never had a boil over on my 05’, but have had the gauge in the red on a hot and humid day in a holiday traffic traffic jam outside of Detroit. My sons 1500 right next to me never went that hot. I didn’t lose any coolant, but it was very hot. I guess the cooling system was holding on. When I got going again, I shifted as early as I could to third gear, this shuts off the cooling fans and allows movement to cool the bike. It worked!! Temps came down and all was good. They corrected their design on the new 1800’s, by putting it back to the way the 1500’s 1200’s, 1100’s, 1000’s all worked. I changed mine to push fans, and incorporated switching to allow me to turn on the fans with a switch, it works thermostatically when needed too. Now regarding the original posters question you will love riding a wing, not only for the heat management but for all the other amenities they offer. A friend always asked when we stop somewhere if the espresso machine is now ready and we are pulling over for an espresso. Hahahaha.

 

Not hot at all.. Now get on a harley, you will know what hot is !!

 

Both my O4 GL1800 (which I sold to get my 2018) an my 2018 GL1800 DCT here in Utah where it gets hot in the summer on both I have never noticed the engine heat as I have on air cooled ones which you most definitely can feel the engine heat

 

Ditto GL on the PC800. I had a 1998 got it with less than 10 k on the clock. Put 30k on it before a deer wanted to see what make my front tire was. Loved everything about it.
Totaled it on the deer, got 21 fractures on me to boot.
On a 2008 GL1800 now. Air wings are a must have, but the Wing is King. No negatives there either.

Chaplain Bob

 

my 2021 runs at 3 bars - fans will kick in with stop and go traffic and stay at 3 bars.

 

You are sitting on top of an engine. You are going to get hot. If you put highway pegs on, you will feel the heat in your ankles through your boots to some degree. If you just have the rider pegs, you will feel the heat from your knees down. I have never rode a harley so I can't compare the two. I'd say I don't notice it unless I am sitting still or if it is already very hot outside

 

The only heat I have noticed on my wings in the past 20+ years is coming out of the radiators on eack side of the bike. And it is not blowing back on you.

 

I must add, I had a 86' Aspencade and even though the heat management was not to the level of the 2015, it was still far better than what I had the Harley. Don't get me wrong, I love the looks and the stock sound of the Harley and if it wasn't due to the heat issues, I would seriously consider the Harley again. But as it is, I will stick with the Wing from here on out.

 

It sure is nice to roll without the shake, rattle, and heat.