View Full Version : Smoking hot bike
So I took my bike on its first longer run at the weekend, 200miles each way. When I arrived at the destination, smoke start coming from the front centre, below the handlebars at the top of the front forks. Can't see exactly where it's coming from cause of the fairings. Quite a lot, for about 30 secs.
The next morning I made my way back down the road. Took it REALLY slow. Dropped in for petrol 5mins after setting off and out it came again.
I probably should have stopped and called breakdown or something (should I have?). I set off again very very slowly, stopped a couple of times and it didn't happen again, and nothing when I arrived home.
I presume I should get this checked out asap? Or should I just wait and see how it goes?
There are no apparent problems with the functioning of the bike or any electrics. There WAS enough smoke to cause concern though, especially the first time it happened.
Couldn't see anything while I was moving, so I'm thinking an overheating issue?
It's a 650 s k9 with just 1700 on the clock.
Advice appreciated!
amnesia
20-09-10, 11:24 AM
Was it raining during the ride? Could it just be steam?
It was absolutely pouring, it really looked like smoke though and had a funny smell.
Was raining all the way back too, but it didn't do it then.
It was absolutely pouring, it really looked like smoke though and had a funny smell.
The steam often has a certain smell as it burns off the downpipes.
Check your fluid levels, but my first guess would be steam too. :D
husky03
20-09-10, 11:33 AM
fire it up at a standstill and after five mins check and see if its clear or no
Oh god I would love it if that was it. Fluid levels are fine.
Smell was not overpowering just slightly different to the norm
It's the carp off the road which makes it smell; rubber dust, oil, diesel, dirt, dead rabbits, fag ends, bird carp etc etc. Clean rain is OK.
My guess would be simply road mung boiling off, but check over the fluids regularly.
husky03
20-09-10, 11:46 AM
if your still in doubt mate ride it over to me in hamilton and i'll give it the once over.
Cheers for the advice, I did run over a dead... something.. on the way up.
Thanks husky very kind of you, I'll run it in the dry for a bit and see how it goes.
I am such a bike spaz, not even gonna tell you what i did at the green welly
husky03
20-09-10, 12:05 PM
Cheers for the advice, I did run over a dead... something.. on the way up.
Thanks husky very kind of you, I'll run it in the dry for a bit and see how it goes.
I am such a bike spaz, not even gonna tell you what i did at the green welly
did you fill up with diesel??????
thedonal
20-09-10, 12:11 PM
Yep- I used to get concerned by this when stopping at the lights- a big plume of steam would float forwards from my front end.
Just rain evapourating off the pipes. As per above. Even recently, oily smells from it would worry me- I am a worryer!- but again, it's just the state of my downpipes, more than anything else!
did you fill up with diesel??????
lol no not that bad. It was a small parking issue, very embarrassing!
mcgrimes
20-09-10, 02:21 PM
I was caught off guard when i first went out in heavy rain, i pulled over asking someone for directions and i thought my bike was on fire
Al_Sweetman
20-09-10, 02:28 PM
Yip - mine was as I pulled up on the A419/417 nr Swindon in the old BP garage near turnpike. Pulled in for coffee and was slow manouevering looking like something possessed clouded in bags of steam (well that's what I thought anyway ... aint imagination wonderful!?). Someone asked me if I and the bike were all right...
WeegieBlue
20-09-10, 02:32 PM
lol no not that bad. It was a small parking issue, very embarrassing!
Well you're going to have to tell us now aren't you?!
Biker Biggles
20-09-10, 02:48 PM
Or we will make something up which will be far worse.
minimorecambe
20-09-10, 03:17 PM
If you forgot to put the side stand down, I am guilty of that.
Dont know why I have just told you all that!
The steam up through the fairings in the wet scared ten bells outta me as it was on my first long run after about 150 miles of wet moterway pulled in for fuel then quickly pushed bike away from pumps thinking i was going to blow everyone up after i`d had a coffe it had eassed of alot & after close inspection i came to the conclusion:-
a) i`d been a complete Tit :(
b)Thier was no smoke it was just steam off front pipe/rad!! (few) :)
fender extender helps calm it down a tad :)
amnesia
20-09-10, 06:24 PM
[engage smug mode]
...and I picked my brand new K6 up in the rain too...
Sounding conclusively like it was steam!
Green Welly incident, well maybe it wasn't that bad. I pulled into the bike parking, parked facing forward downhill, it was only when I got off I realised this way was contrary to the other 100 bikes and I thought "oh s**t, how am I going to get this out?"
To get out I then had to push it backwards, uphill, with a full tank, much to the amusement of the bikers standing around, none of which offered to help.
Then to put the cherry on, after I finally managed to back it out, sat on, I started up with the throttle open causing a huge rev to sound out.
I could just feel everyone saying "what a d**k!". Hell even I thought I was a d**k.
I did get 10 hours driving in the rain over the weekend, good experience.
Many thanks for the replies.
hongman
20-09-10, 10:40 PM
Least you didn't drop it.
DarrenSV650S
20-09-10, 10:46 PM
Bit of a misleading title :(
I wanted to see a smoking hot bike, not a hot steamy bike.... oh wait
Jayneflakes
22-09-10, 09:12 AM
The steam rising up from the fairing is one of the benefits of SV ownership, it makes us look either Demonic and evil thus increasing road presence or old ladies pull over to ask us "are you alright dear, is your bike on fire?"
Option two is great if you like older ladies...
They do steam a lot when it is very wet, do watch out for a build up of road grim in the drain from the front plug though, if it gets blocked, water can build up and cause running problems and corrosion. I spray my engine and clean the drain after every wet ride.
mcgrimes
22-09-10, 09:44 AM
Option two is great if you like older ladies...
Now that belongs in a signature
...filling up with diesel...
lol, just what i was thinking....:rolleyes:
Scooby, if you've not heard the story it's gone down in sv.org history as one of the legendary "you had to be there" moments with a certain ducati owning member. Well actually there was Pete and about 60 other members at the scene.
Back to your question. I'd say it's very likely rain & road crap too. You go for a long run, engine gets quite hot, stop during or just after rain and the front downpipe/radiator surface gets a splash, our pours a lot of steam. Happens on a lot of bikes, so dont worry too much. :smt002
yorkie_chris
22-09-10, 04:23 PM
They do steam a lot when it is very wet, do watch out for a build up of road grim in the drain from the front plug though, if it gets blocked, water can build up and cause running problems and corrosion. I spray my engine and clean the drain after every wet ride.
Best bet is to seal around the plug cap with silicon grease and put a small plug of it up the drain too. If it is sealed like this it is no problem, even when fording floods.
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