the temp on my f2 fluctuates between the two marks, i just wanted to know if this is correct or shuold it stay preety much in the same position as in a car, you see when i im riding very slow or on trafic it doesn't get to the red zone but it does get very close, back in speed and it comes down to the middle. is this ok?? its my first bike, thanks!

 

Yeah, that's normal. Sitting still, or moving slowly, you don't get any real air cooling and the engine is surrounded by the fairings. At speed you get a lot of air blowing through the radiator to help cool it down.

 

Still, unless you are in VERY heavy traffic it should not get close to the red zone. Mine only gets 3/4 of the way there. Check your coolant level to start with. To check the coolant level, ride the bike til it's at operating temperature... get it good and hot. Turn the bike off and check the coolant overflow bottle level. It's on the right hand side (if you're sitting on the bike). You'll need to check the level with the bike standing straight up so have a friend hold it upright while you check (or use a rear stand, or hold it yourself carefully). The bottle is white with a black rubber cap on it and it has 2 marks on it: upper and lower. You want your coolant level to be at the upper mark. If it's not, get some coolant and add it to the white bottle til it's at the upper level. Start the bike again and ride it for about 5 minutes. Check the level again (with the bike off). If it's low again, add more coolant and repeat the riding part until the level stays at the upper mark. NEVER add coolant directly to the radiator, especially when it's hot. You should only add to the radiator if you're going to flush the system. If your coolant level and you're still close to overheating, check your radiator fan and then the thermostat.

 

Hopefully one of you will pay attention to this thread even though it's old. I based on the last reply, I think I need to add coolant to my bike. How do I do that? The owner's manual isn't very good on describing the steps. Do I need to take the fairings and take off to get to the coolant bottle?

Thanks,
Ra Osolage

 

It should be on the right side under the tail