I have a 2000 zx6r with about 8500 miles and it seems like it gets really hot really fast. I have had the bike for about a month now and it seems after 10 mins of riding when I come to a light the temp will climb very quickly and after a min it seems to be hitting 205+ F. It doesn't get higher because the light will turn green and i'm off.

I was thinking it might have something to do with the Florida heat but it shouldn't climb in temp that fast. It also seems to be idleing kind of high which might add to the heat. It idles around 1.4-1.5k. Any ideas would be very helpful.

Oh this is my first post and also the first time owning a kawasaki and so far I am loving it! Can't wait to put more miles on it.

 

How's the antifreeze level/mixture? I would check that the mixture is correct or possibly a bad thermostat?

 

205 degrees is not that hot. Your bike can get up to about 230 before you need to worry.

 

205 doesn't sopund that hot. But it also all depends on the air temp if it was 60 degrees out and then 205 then I would be worried.

 

well, 205 isn't to bad I guess but I havn't sat long enough for it to climb higher. It honostly climbs about 1 degree F in 30 seconds time or so. I have also had the fan come on due to it starting to overheat once before, but I was just riding around the parking lot for about 30+ mins just getting used to the bike.
I may just be over worried because I don't want anything to be wrong with the bike.

Also is the Haynes service & Repair manual useful for fluid changing and other small repairs I might need to make?

 

The fan coming on is not cause for concern... it is normal. Be worried if it DOESNT come on, and the temp continues to climb. On hot days in stop and go traffic, I have seen the thermo approach 220. Make sure your mixture is good, and that it is filled properly. For fun - leave the bike sit and idle in your driveway, keep and eye on the thermo... if it climbs up to 205 to 215 and the fans kick on and the temp drops 5 or 10 degrees... then you are good.

 

Thanks, I will give that a try.

 

Well, I let it sit after getting home from work today and it rose to about 220 and when the fan kicked on it still continued to rise. I might have to take it to a shop to get the mixture checked because I don't have a replair manual yet.
I was sitting at a rail road crossing and the temp would climb about 1 degree every 20 seconds.

 

Sounds like not enough antifreeze or maybe your thermostat is not fully opening.

 

Do you think that it could be an easy cheap fix?