K1600GT Front fender

[gwin]

I'm planing on 6000 mile plus trip this coming spring. Will be leaving the NE around May 1st to California and arriving back to Massachusetts the end of May. I have heard that clogging the radiator with road grime and or rocks can be a problem on the highway. Should I think about adding a front fender extension? Has anyone had any experiences with debris clogging the radiator?

 

[2bikers1collie]

I've made multiple trips from Cape Cod across country and back; I've never had a problem with road debris on the trips. The tire does kick up some grime and such, but a little careful washing with a pressure washer (ie not close enough to bend fins and such) seems to wash most of it out. The only overheating problem I have had was three-up in Rocky Mountain National park slowly following other cars uphill (about halfway up to the 'summit' of the long road). We stopped for a few minutes, got pictures, and went on our way with never a problem after. I imagine if you do a substantial amount of moist gravel you may want to put a extended fender on it, otherwise, just clean it once a year or so.

 

[Dmftoy1]

If you flush it every 20k miles (from front with garden hose) you'll have zero issues. I've also gone coast to coast multiple times between flushes and never an issue.

 

[2bikers1collie]

I'm planing on 6000 mile plus trip this coming spring. Will be leaving the NE around May 1st to California and arriving back to Massachusetts the end of May. I have heard that clogging the radiator with road grime and or rocks can be a problem on the highway. Should I think about adding a front fender extension? Has anyone had any experiences with debris clogging the radiator?

Oh, and welcomed to the forum! Might I suggest you also check out k1600forum.com You will find the largest community of K1600 riders there with many tips , suggestions, and comradery.

 

[lee]

We have used Extenda Fendas on a couple of our bikes. The K75S to help protect the painted belly pan and the K1300S to help protect against the radiator clogging problem.
We ride in a lot of rain and so far no problems with the radiators clogging on our K1300Ss. When I return home from a trip I use the garden hose to rinse the radiators. We have 52,000 to 54,000 miles on them.

Here's what the Pyramid Extenda Fenda looks like on a K1300S.

I added extra 3M tape.

I bought our last Entenda Fendas from Pirate.
http://pirateslair.net/Extendafenda.htm

 

[gwin]

I've made multiple trips from Cape Cod across country and back; I've never had a problem with road debris on the trips. The tire does kick up some grime and such, but a little careful washing with a pressure washer (ie not close enough to bend fins and such) seems to wash most of it out.

Exactly what I looking for. I won't be driving on dirt roads however with the flooding happening now in the mid-west I might think twice about the mud.. I will be on alert for mud buildup and wash if necessary.
Thanks for everyone's response. - Gordon

 

[d martin]

The buildup causing overheating that was mentioned on the K1600 Forum was from the chip seal aka tar and not a buildup of dirt. Common practise is to have radiator cleaned when it is removed for the valve check service at 18K miles.

 

[Wethead]

A fender extension is the first thing I put on my bike before I drive it out of the floor. How can you go wrong with that?