Question about Maxim X radiator fan

Hey all,

After pulling apart my radiator to work on the bike, I started wondering about the fan. I've never noticed it coming on. I don't think I've ever had the bike get really hot, though, so it hasn't bothered me too much. Yesterday, while riding in traffic, I noticed that my temp needle was past the "half-way" mark on the gauge, but was not at the red yet. As soon as I started moving, the temp needle dropped back to about 1/4 way across the guage.

So, here's my question. When is the fan supposed to kick in? I feel like I ought to test it just to make sure it works when I need it to. Does it kick in at the mid-way mark? Or does it not come on until it hits the red?

 

Mine doesn't come on until its almost to the red.
I have had others tell me it's about 195 deg, but when I tested two spares in boiling water they wouldn't trip so I needed a heat gun.
My thermometer said it was at 220 before it switched on.

If you wire a toggle switch in paralell with the thermal switch you can turn it on when you want or simply let the auto switch turn the fan on when it needs it.

 

Mine is the same as above just before the space to the red it kicks on. If you have not ever heard it start the bike and warm up. just sit there with your favorite beverage and watch it. Keep a fan nearby in case it does not come on you can direct air flow over the radiator. Then wait it should turn on near the red. If not it is a good thing to know before you take it out on a 80*f day and stasrt puking coolant out overheating away from home.