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[nytryder]

nytryder, My Wife doesn't do well on hot days on the bike. I started removing the lowers every year about this time, that seams to help her. I also ride 90% of the time with my feet up on the hwy pegs.
Smkblwr

With the twin cooled heads I am unable to remove the lowers because of the radiators. I'm considering a true dual header to remove some heat from the right side of the bike. If anyone else has any ideas I'm paying close attention here.

[Ironhorse]

I started removing the lowers every year about this time, that seems to help

I just trimmed down the "doors" on the inside of the lowers. Now when they are open, they are WIDE open and a lot more air comes through. Some folks remove those doors completely, however I like having some adjustable protection for rain. Having those adjustable wing vents on the front of the batwing helps too as those can also be directed to the passenger.

[backroad Mike]

I've been experimenting lately with my lower doors.  After a recent 10.7:1 build, the temps are much hotter than previous.  By closing the doors instead of opening them, I have found the engine head temps are typically 10-15 degrees cooler than when open.  I can direct the wing vents onto our legs which also helps.

I also ride with my feet on the highway pegs 90+ % of the time.

[SDCVO]

At higher speeds without lowers do these fans really make a difference? I am struggling with what the difference is between the fans blowing on the spark plug area opposed to the wind at higher speeds? I certainly understand at slower speeds how they would be effective. Am I missing something?
When I did my 124 I put on the Ultra Cool and again see a difference around town but don't think I see a difference at high speeds.

[Mr. Warlock]

Not so much at higher speeds but they turn themselves off via the thermo switch if not hot enough.

[Ironhorse]

Being that these are air cooled engines, or nowadays heads with water cooling assistance, the majority of cooling is dependent on air moving across the fins to dissipate heat. The lowers are actually designed to direct air onto the engine to really help push the air away. They do make the rider and passenger hotter though, so folks either remove them, or modify them. Since there is little to no air movement when sitting in traffic idling, the engines naturally get hot. The fans are designed to move the air in key spots on the head to reduce overheating. Since installing the Wards fans, my bike has not gone into heat mode, even sitting in Las Vegas traffic. I do like the other mods to cool the oil, like the fan assisted oil cooler, or the one mounted under the frame. These devices all help, but the real answer to cooling these larger engines is complete liquid cooling, like a GoldWing where the temps can be better controlled.