I'm continuously surprised to see how much this bothers people. I've ridden my '21 GT in southern Arizona heat nearly daily and all summer long. I've never felt anything that I'd call uncomfortable or worrying heat on my leg. Don't get me wrong, I'm aware the headers are over there but it's never really bothered me. I ride almost exclusively in blue jeans. I imagine that the GT is better positioning than the R in this regard, but I've read about folks with GT's saying they hate it too.
Same, I've ridden in bumper-to-bumper traffic in humid high-90s weather in jeans and never had the slightest issue with the heat from the headers, radiator, or engine.
Now, the Ducati ST4S? That gave me legit 1st degree burns from the metal fuel tank directly above the rear cylinder.
@atomsplitter while I never really had major heat issues with the stock heat shields (I think the engine block/head area above the rear pipe gives me more heat) I think the CarbonFBR carbon shields with foil backing lowered it more. Maybe give them a shot. CarbonFBR
Edit: just noticed yours is a GT, have edited the link to point to the GT shields. Also, having your legs forward will expose you to more exhaust heat for sure, lots of guys have converted their GT to mid pegs as another option.
@atomsplitter while I never really had major heat issues with the stock heat shields (I think the engine block/head area above the rear pipe gives me more heat) I think the CarbonFBR carbon shields with foil backing lowered it more. Maybe give them a shot. CarbonFBR
Edit: just noticed yours is a GT, have edited the link to point to the GT shields. Also, having your legs forward will expose you to more exhaust heat for sure, lots of guys have converted their GT to mid pegs as another option.
Might give those a shot. The easy answer is ride a different bike when it's really warm outside. My Speed Triple doesn't throw a lot of heat on my legs at stops, hmmnnn.......
Been away for a few days....ive got a tube of 'CRC Maniseal Exhaust Cement'...will withstand heat up to 300 deg C ..(572 F)......pretty sure i used that.
I never noticed the heat when it was stock, but wow, with the carpenter package and exhaust, it will really cook you now, even with the wrap. Doesn't get ridden a lot in July and August here in Florida, there's better bikes to take when it's hot. I bought a little heat shield thingy for your calf, I was skeptical, it's only about 6" long, but it actually works really well, I was impressed.