how much venting is needed?

[oso blanco]

sorry for steeling your question ollie, but I think many people could benefit from this discussion. maybe cover location, riding style, and size as well. I just have Frogzskins on either side of the gauges. this seemed to stop the melting on the 06 M7 and I hope that it's effective on the '10 M8. I chose to start there because heat rises. We mostly ride the trees, and I tend to ride a little more conservative, at least compared to my brother, even on nearly identical sleds (M7's) riding on the same days he melted about twice as much stuff as I did.

[dmkhnr]

The shock tower vent on the clutch side seemed to be the critical one for me.

I had the side vents, and still had alot of clutch heat if I didn't take a break between big hillclimbs. I added the shock tower vent and it made a noticable difference.

[HOBB-Z]

I really think the amount of venting has alot to do with clutching, if the gear ratio and the clutching are spot on the heat won't be as bad.

If you're talking stock sled stock clutching, then yes it will need a lot more venting.

I think the side panels are a must as well as the clutch side shock tower,
RKT makes a neat little bracket that holds the hood up about 1" that works better than any vents in the hood I've found.

On our Ms we run every vent available except the headlights.

[1M800]

What do you think about the "gauge cages". Do you think they do much for venting?