Bike temp

I've always heard that KZ's ran hotter than most bikes. A good example is my bro's 83 GS750E, after a long ride in east texas we stopped for a smoke and i happened to touch my valve cover. it was hotter than hell so hot that i could wet my finger and it would instintly burn off (sizzle). same thing was done to the GS and not near as the temperture.
Is that the norm for the KZ.
This is my only KZ, nothing to compare to

make sure you're not running lean - pull the plugs and check.

Hopefully, there are no clogs in the oiling system as well.:ohmy:

KZG1 wrote:

I've always heard that KZ's ran hotter than most bikes. A good example is my bro's 83 GS750E, after a long ride in east texas we stopped for a smoke and i happened to touch my valve cover. it was hotter than hell so hot that i could wet my finger and it would instintly burn off (sizzle). same thing was done to the GS and not near as the temperture.
Is that the norm for the KZ.

Not mine.

would changing to a cooler plug help in reducing heat, im using B8ES now.

KZG1 wrote:

would changing to a cooler plug help in reducing heat, im using B8ES now.

No, it just changes the temperature of the spark plugs tip.

KZG1 wrote:

... 83 GS750E, after a long ride...valve cover..was hotter than hell so hot that i could wet my finger and it would instintly burn off (sizzle). same thing was done to the GS and not near as the temperture. Is that the norm for the KZ. This is my only KZ, nothing to compare to

Was either bike running an oil cooler?

Hot is a term that has a different meaning for every person. Too me, yes they run hot. I could take my KZ1000 on one of those long rides and after riding a couple miles the cylinder was already dang hot. This always worried me so I added a cooler. I can't say I noticed any difference, but set my mind at ease a little. The motorcycle never missed a beat so it must have been normal temps.