When do the fans kick on ?

[Ferroussphinx]

What's the average range on the gauge before the fan kicks on mine runs pretty high

And I don't want to cook the motor

How bullet proof are these ?

[voyager55]

My temp gets up there to before they kick on, not a problem

[Tonyvdb]

The accuracy of these temp gauges is a bit suspect but I will tell you after I did a coolant flush it ran much cooler than it did before the flush. My gauge runs to about half way up before the fan kicks in. And that usually only happens now if the outdoor temp is above 25C (80F) or I'm in stop and go traffic.

[Ferroussphinx]

Mine gets almost to the red line.

[triton28]

Ferrous;
if you haven't already done so, flush the cooling system with some Prestone or equivalent solution which must be aluminium compatible. As Tonyvdb noted, and I experienced as well, after flushing the system will run cooler.
Sometimes the tip of the radiator fan switch gets covered with crud and takes longer to register the temperature before closing the circuit and turning the fan on.
My gauge needle is at the third thin line past the second wide line when the fan starts to do it's job, whereas before the flush it was at the 5th, and sometimes the sixth, thin line before it would kick in the fan. Most days the needle doesn't even get to the third line unless it is hot out and/or I am in slow traffic as Tony had said also.
Dave

[Ferroussphinx]

Right on thanks y'all !!

[cushman eagle]

When I did my water manifold o-ring change during my winter 2014-2015 service,I was surprised at the build up of bug debris on the radiator.I spent quite a bit of time gently cleaning that off,and was pleased how much cooler the engine runs.

[Mr Jensee]

The only time I hear the fan kick on is when I am backing it into it's parking space in the garage on a warm day while the engine is running. I have been out in nearly 90 degree weather here in the summer time riding for a couple of hours and the fan has never in my recollection ever kicked on. Even in hot summers the temp gauge still hovers just under the half way mark. I have been changing the radiator fluid every two years though at this point without issues.

[voyager55]

I always spray hydrogen peroxide on the radiator few times a summer. Bugs wash off easily

When I did my water manifold o-ring change during my winter 2014-2015 service,I was surprised at the build up of bug debris on the radiator.I spent quite a bit of time gently cleaning that off,and was pleased how much cooler the engine runs.

[hank43]

I always spray hydrogen peroxide on the radiator few times a summer. Bugs wash off easily

When I did my water manifold o-ring change during my winter 2014-2015 service,I was surprised at the build up of bug debris on the radiator.I spent quite a bit of time gently cleaning that off,and was pleased how much cooler the engine runs.

Makes 'em more sanitary, too!

hank 43