my bike is missing the radiator fan and i am wondering if this fan is really necessary for long touring.

and can these engines handle high temps the same as non liquid cooled motors.. thanks ...phil.

My fan has been working only twice in 10 years. The first time was when touring two-up with luggage in Spain on a hot summer day on the motorway, then stopping in town at a traffic light for a few minutes, and stopping at a light again in 50 m.
The second time was in the Sahara heat after some tough off-road in fesj-fesj, so full throttle, and then stopping at a checkpoint with engine idling.
So no matter what happens, as long as you keep rolling a 660 doesn't need the fan.

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

Hi,
just as Fred said, while driving you will never need radiator fan, no matter how high temperature is! Only on crowded streets and constant stoping fan would activate. This summer my radiator fan worked hardly on Corsica due to the problem with starting the engine, so ones I start the engine I left it run on idle speed or driving, of course, and stop engine late afternoon when decide not to go further this day.
AnteK

I agree with the previous comments - my fan never comes on while the bike is still moving (or while in Britain, it never comes on at all) but in hot climates and especially in cities, the engine temperature rises very quickly and the fan cuts in. In traffic in Delhi and in Barcelona with the temperature in the high 30s it was on almost constantly. I'd certainly be very nervous without a working fan if I was travelling through hot climates.