Awesome!!! I know how much work goes into one of these ride reports. My fav is this one. LOL

 

Two nights, Sat and Sun.

Wood: three bundles bungee strapped then all cinch strapped down.

You believe that...or just a photo op?
Looks good tho

 

What a strange terrain. Did not know there were pines on Mars!

Must be funny to ride

 

Looks like fun. Gotta love the Idaho weather.

Did you ever figure out what was causing your bike to overheat?

 

Excellent report, thanks

 

I just tested the circuit following the method in post 4 of this thread:

www.kawasakiforums.com/forum/klx-250s-71/07-klx-fan-not-working-38127/

"Unplug the sensor mounted in the right side radiator. Ground the wire that you just unplugged from the sensor, if the fan comes on, then you verified the relay, the motor, and the fuse are all good, that only leaves the switch."

(thank you clgdswr)

The fan came on with this diagnostic test. So, either the switch is bad or it really didn't heat up that much. I thought I saw the temp light flicker, but it may have been sun/shade or something. It certainly didn't stay lit and I shut down to cool after seeing the flicker. Later during the ride, I rode harder, slower, steeper in hotter ambient temps and watched it close and never saw the light come on again. I need to investigate further...

I have a Vapor with temp sensor, and the temp sensor is in the bypass line of the ThermoBob which is a good location to monitor coolant exit temps, but it's too close to the exhaust manifold and shows temps that are unrealistically high. This didn't happen to nearly this degree with the 250, but certainly does with the 351, which begs the question should exhaust manifold temps be higher with the 351? The fan would kick on at an indicated 207F +/- 2F before, and now I see max temps above 250F. The vapor sensor needs to be moved. The fan came on with the 250 a number of times, with regular green coolant. Now running engine ice in the 351.

 

Great ride report Scott, that loose rocky terrain looks familiar... Good to see you getting out there.
I would be surprised if your bike actually overheated. The max temp on mine went to 222F for a very short time on Day 1 of the TOI. It was 105F that day and the trail is pretty demanding on a motor. Gas vapour was bubbling out of the gas tank vent and the overflow on the rad went to about 3/4 full.
Those mines are pretty cool, nice to have a bunch of buddies to ride with.

 

I don't think it overheated to the point of damage. The temp light may have flashed a couple times and I shut it right down. It boiled over into the puke tank. But still runs just fine.

Yesterday was good and warm here so went for a ride, parked in the driveway and let it idle for a long time. It boiled over, temp light didn't come on, nor did the fan. Pulled the sensor and tested it with ohm meter in a hot oil bath per 2009 manual. Result: rising temp on = 215, 218, 220 F (spec 203 - 214 F), falling point on to off temp 212, 213, 215 (spec 189 F or less). I think my fan switch has failed! Those buggers are expensive. Best price I could find at mrcycle.com for about $70. Local dealer wants closer to $100.

 

I would like to test my switch too. Do you still have a pot of oil and thermometer handy?

My fan works, but I have never heard it come on during operation, no matter the conditions. Wondering if mine sensor is junk too.

 

Wow, that is a hefty price.