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.