i was out riding for like a half hour today and i noticed it was running hot, very hot. i looked at the LCD and that little coolent temp. warning light was on. i went home check everything out and nothing appears to be wrong. my dad just took it out yesterday and it didn't do this. what do you guys think? thank

 

Is it possible that your radiator is clogged with mud? That is the usual suspect for this problem. The cure, spray it till the water runs clear.

However I had this same problem a while back, ended up my thermostat was sticking. Again the fix is free just a little more time consuming. Remove the thermostat and chuck it, don't put a new one in. Couldn't have asked for better results, my fan hardly runs now and when it does its only on for a minute or two.

Other possibilities are melted/busted coolant strainer, pressure leak at radiator fill neck, or a bad water pump.

 

Yeah...what he said.

I regularly ride with three others who have sixfittys ('02's). Two of the three, including myself this past weekend, have experienced overheating problems, and ALWAYS while riding on trails after a good rain. (It probably wouldn't happen if you were the lead bike, but if following behind someone, the crap does indeed accumulate. To look through the grill, it doesn't appear to be that dirty, but spray it off with a hose (good) or a pressure washer (best), and you will be AMAZED at what runs out!

As MUDDHOUND suggested, keep the water running until it runs clear; it may take a while if this is the cause of the problem.