side vent adjustments

[DENCOUCH]

I haven't tried out my bike with the side vents opened yet. I am thinking that it may be a plus in cold weather, but my riding gear has measured up to the task thus far. Is anyone riding around with them in the open position? Do they really keep one warm?

 

[A41Billy]

I may be wrong, but I think the "open" or out position is supposed to deflect heat away from the rider's legs in Summer. I havent tried them, but most people say they are ineffective. Try em out and give us a report!

 

[willabbott]

Hey fellow Oregonian...

I've been playing with mine... so far haven't really noticed. I rode to work all but one day this last week (had to haul something to work a litle big for the bike, but could have done it, just would have been funny looking)

Anyways, you know what our weather has been like this week... One of the first nastier days, I rode with one side open, and the other closed, and couldn't really tell much difference, but like you I had good gear on, and I had the insulating liner in...

That said, I did sort of feel like my side with the vent closed (in) felt a little cooler, but it could also be sort of a placebo effect. It would make sense that it should help, just looking at the angles, it seems like when open (out) it would direct air away more... I also rode one day in either normal pants or without a liner, and I could have sworn my hips felt cooler with them open than closed... but it might be it was just directing the air out that way further and hips instead of legs...

I'm still playing with it, I've got a small screwdriver I'm carrying in my coat pocket so I can change it at any time...I'm going to work this morning, and it will probably be decent when I ride home (2pm) so maybe I'll do one in, one out again and see if either feels cooler or more wind on it (if I can ride without my overpants, asuming it's warm enough).

I think a ride in mesh pants or (gasp) shorts (wouldn't catch me doing it in shorts) would be the best way to know, you'll have the most feeling on your legs. To me it seems pretty well sheltered anyways, but my last bike theoretically should have been more sheltered, it tended to direct a LOT of air on my legs, and in either position the FJR is FAR warmer in the cool weather than my Piaggio MP3 ever was (even with it's windscreen which is actually taller than the FJR.

 

[Niehart]

Living in the Pacific Northwet and riding year around, yes they make a difference in cold, wet weather. I just closed them Memorial Day weekend. But guess what, the damn things are open again. Freaking rain ... :angry2:

 

[bramfrank]

In for summer, out for winter.

They work by aerodynamically widening the profile of the bike, creating a lower pressure space around your legs that draws engine heat out the various holes and such.

This should be in NEPRT.

 

[DENCOUCH]

In for summer, out for winter.

They work by aerodynamically widening the profile of the bike, creating a lower pressure space around your legs that draws engine heat out the various holes and such.

This should be in NEPRT.

I am going to open the vents then. I have been using the hand grip warmers with a degree of satisfaction, so time to test these guys out as well. I loved the explanation. Thanks.

I am thinking that if *I DO* use them and like them, that perhaps the rain Gods will make the cold weather disappear to thwart my satisfaction of enjoying yet another cool FJR feature.

 

[bramfrank]

If you really need warming up you can trade in that shiny 2012 and buy a Gen-1 machine. They're much warmer.

 

[Bounce]

You'd have to go picking and choosing to find the Gen 1 you're looking for then. According to reports (including mine) many aren't any hotter than any other fully-faired bike when it's hot outside.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Hi to all of you!

Mine is a 2003/ABS..Really Warm(Hot Air coming from bike)..!!Fantastic in winter..!! but freaking in the summer..!!!!!!

My legs and lower body are burnt in deep summer..!!!

 

[DENCOUCH]

Wasn't too difficult to adjust them to the outward position!

Surprised me! I shall be testing this

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Wasn't too difficult to adjust them to the outward position!

Surprised me! I shall be testing this

Mine have not this feature..it is a Gen 1 model..without this choice..

 

[bluesdog]

Wasn't too difficult to adjust them to the outward position!

Surprised me! I shall be testing this

Mine have not this feature..it is a Gen 1 model..without this choice..

I found it makes very little difference, but I'm ATGATT/leathered pretty much all the time, and wear thick pants in cooler weather anyway

I just keep them at the 'in' configuration

 

[Knifemaker]

I find they don't make much diffrence but when they are "out" they make the bike look ugly.

There have been some reports of the panels getting blown off the bike by those that tried moving them in and out...so it seems it would be safer not to mess with them in the first place...lol.

 

[Armand]

Have been commuting with my 09 since it was 44 degrees here at nite and it's now 90 in the day. open in winter gives some nice warm air to mostly lower calf. close summer. have some hot air on upper leg but not bad. forgot to close them for a while and man it was hot.

 

[Fly Bye]

Wasn't too difficult to adjust them to the outward position!

Surprised me! I shall be testing this

Mine have not this feature..it is a Gen 1 model..without this choice..

I found it makes very little difference, but I'm ATGATT/leathered pretty much all the time, and wear thick pants in cooler weather anyway

I just keep them at the 'in' configuration

+1 on that.

With the proper winter clothing it's not going to make a difference.

I keep them tucked in as well.

 

[DENCOUCH]

Wasn't too difficult to adjust them to the outward position!

Surprised me! I shall be testing this

Mine have not this feature..it is a Gen 1 model..without this choice..

I found it makes very little difference, but I'm ATGATT/leathered pretty much all the time, and wear thick pants in cooler weather anyway

I just keep them at the 'in' configuration

+1 on that.

With the proper winter clothing it's not going to make a difference.

I keep them tucked in as well.

Left the home last night for a short 1/2 hour interstate hop South to visit my son. Before I left his house, I set the vents to their open (outward?) position for the ride home.

I can't honestly say that I noticed a perceptible difference in warmth.

I was wearing all of my riding gear, boots, pants & jacket, so perhaps that may be the reason.

I dunno where I am on this... on the up-side, I was not wearing gloves & the heated hand grips worked just great!

 

[stevet]

For cold temps, they make just enough of a comfort difference to me to open them (outer position). Bumps the wind that much farther away from my legs and whatever heat is drawn out of them is certainly warmer than the surrounding atmosphere. Not a huge difference, but worth the effort to pop out those cam screws.

 

[Bounce]

Hi to all of you!

Mine is a 2003/ABS..Really Warm(Hot Air coming from bike)..!!Fantastic in winter..!! but freaking in the summer..!!!!!!

My legs and lower body are burnt in deep summer..!!!

when it's over 100 it's hot on any bike. manage the heat and put on some pants.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Hi to all of you!

Mine is a 2003/ABS..Really Warm(Hot Air coming from bike)..!!Fantastic in winter..!! but freaking in the summer..!!!!!!

My legs and lower body are burnt in deep summer..!!!

when it's over 100 it's hot on any bike. manage the heat and put on some pants.

I know this!I try with mesh pant..close pant..but the hot is there..The best thing you can do when you feel the hot is to opening your legs a little for some fresh air..