So I have a question that has probably been gone over 1000000 times.

When I start my bike in the morning all is well. When I leave for home from work, it us usually 105 degrees or more. By the time I get home, my bike is ticking like a time bomb. My ride is around 75 miles all freeway, and with 100+ weather.

So.... I know our bikes tick naturally. Especially when hot. But when does it become an issue or indicative of one????? I am certain it is not cam chain I am hearing as it is in the top end and I am only at 6k miles.

Can it tick it's self to death???

You and me both brother!!!! Ya I have let it sit for an hour and just started it and it is purring like a kitten.

Now to start another issue. Doesn't faster speed = more cooling?
I know it means more heat but... The cooling effect at any given speed has to be more than than heating effect at the same speed. Or else any stopping would kill the engine cause you could never recover the heat incurred during the stop.

Or am I dumb lol

Should you let the bike idle a while after a ride, before shutting off? If yes, for how long?

Think of yourself out in the heat...
If you just stand still in the sun, you'll melt...
.. a comfortable strolling pace, and you feel some air movement...
.. but, try to set a mile record you'll blow a gasket..

Idling for more than a few minutes in heat is tough on the bike...  a 20 minute or longer traffic jam will make your engine stall and possibly seize...  I shut off in those situations, maybe pull over...
... but running at half throttle or above, is hard too...
Your bike is at it's most efficient and runs coolest at an easy lope... This is when the engine draws it's highest vacuum, and you burn the least fuel per mile...
... perhaps it is at it's coolest there, because it's burning the least fuel per mile... and, fuel = energy= heat...  that speed will give you the most air-cooling vs fuel burned ratio...

This isn't just bikes or air-cooled engines... when I ride up Mt.Lemmon (near me)... from 2600ft to 9,000ft in 30 miles,... there are a surprising number of overheated modern water-cooled cars pulled over with the hood up...  and my bike is still putting along fine, because I'm riding in her sweet spot... about 40mph in 4th, 50 in 5th...

Okay,.. now I'm just rambling.... ...
The point is,... least fuel burned per mile = most cooling... 50 to 60 mph in 5th gear...
To cool a bike that is overheated,... the best option is to run in that sweet spot, if you can (45 to 60mph in 5th, 35 to 50 in 4th, etc... no lugging, no revving)... if that's not possible,.. don't idle, shut it off immediately... and hope for the best...

Really hot weather switch to a full syn. 20-50 motorcycle oil like Mobil 1 or Amsoil. You should hear a difference.

Like others have said slow down a little or add a chain drive set up to lower the cruise rpm.

Bikes are like us we only have a limited number of heart beats...using them up being stressed.... will put both in the bone yard.

How do I fatten my mix back out?

Thanks Serow. You are a god send. If you weren't in Tucson I would come by you a steak dinner.

WOW Justin!!! I was just trying to be nice, now I feel obligated!!!!