Liquid Cooled vs Air Cooled Motorcycles

Liquid cooled vs air cooled motorcycles, which one is better, how do they work, and which one is right for you? Today we're talking about all things related to motorcycle cooling, air cooled motorcycles, liquid cooled motorcycles, and even oil cooled motorcycles.

0:00 Intro
0:26 Why do motorcycles need cooling?
0:49 How do air cooled motorcycles work?
1:20 How do liquid cooled motorcycles work?
1:53 Pros and cons of air cooled motorcycles
2:56 Pros and cons of liquid cooled motorcycles
4:23 What's better for you: liquid vs air cooling
4:49 What would I choose?
5:55 Bonus: Oil cooled motorcycles
6:42 What's important to focus on

#motorcycleengine #motorcyclemotor #beginnermotorcycles

[upsidedowndog]

Liquid cooled engines can be built with tighter tolerances, and tuned for a smaller operating temperature range, making them last longer, more efficient, and more powerful at the same time.

[tibork]

A solution to air cooled bikes stuck in traffic and overheating can be adding a cooling fan (just like for water coolers). Some more modern air cooled bikes already use this method.

[Yeti]

I am a big fan of the "old" technology of air cooled or air/oil cooled. I have a 07 BMW R1200R and it is unique in that it is air/oil cooled and it has a factory temperature gauge and I have never been able to overheat the bike in traffic (but it has a huge oil cooler). I had a Triumph ST955i liquid cooled that would overheat all the time in traffic. The worst over heater I had was a Honda XR650L, that bike would hit 325F while riding on the highway. I want to buy a new XR650L, but will add an oil cooler or maybe get a DR650 and add a aftermarket fan. The best bike I ever had was the Honda XR200, when I was a kid, I rode that bike for hours on end without ever overheating the bike. Also, never could overheat the old GSX750s with an oil cooler that looked like it came out of a 1 ton truck.

In CA we never overheat because lane splitting is allowed.

[glaicogobbo]

Until the 500 and even 650cc era, the engines were not overloaded to produce excess speed and power. Today, a motorcyclist with a thicker license, is not satisfied with 45, 50, 60 horses. They want to ride alongside powerful cars with more than 300 horses with 4 wheels supporting and braking when necessary. Happy for the era when no sophistication on motorcycles is needed. They were light, manageable and easy to park. Too bad it will never come back!

[avim]

Loved your explanation. I drove my air cooled Suzuki Gixxer for 650km non stop but didn't face any heating issue. I tried the same thing in a liquid cooled KTM Duke and my legs almost got roasted.

[soniaferreira]

Very cool background Jeep thing! Great video Adrian, thanks for the info.

[politicaloptimist]

I have a Yamaha Bolt 2015 (Air Cooled). In the summer running on the freeway at 75mph my engine runs at about 260F max. When I pull of the free way and I happen to get stuck at on a long red light the bike will cool to around 248F depending on how long the light is. A longer light it will cool down more. No wind just sitting there with a car in front of me and one behind me. This blew me away. Air cooled engines are more efficient at removing heat at an idle than is needed. I have never heard of anyone who said. "My air cooled motorcycle overheated and ruined the engine when I was stuck idling in traffic". I have been been riding for 40 years.
Back in 1990 I bought a used early 1980s Suzuki GS650G air cooled in Phoenix Az. It had 75, 000 miles on it. I put 75, 000 more miles on. I rode it in the city and heavy traffic. It used I little oil before I sold it but the bike ran like a champ. Air cooled in one of the hottest cities in the nation.
I only buy air cooled motorcycles. The engine is out in the open unlike a car. Water cooled is not necessary for a commuter bike. Racing bikes are another story.

[Mike-khgj]

I feel like liquid cooled is going to save my ass in those long ass McDonald’s drive through lines

[TwistedRail_]

The Nicholas Cage of Motorbikes. I'd trust this guy.

[JeffBassir-lozj]

Thanks for the video. Why does the coolant in a motorcycle has to be replaced a lot more often than in a car? My Suzuki motorcycle manual says every 6000 miles and my car manual says to replace the coolant every 60, 000 miles.

[canano]

What about small engines like generator engines why don’t they over heat if there air cooled and there not moving?

[stefanhansen]

Just found your channel. This was awesome!

[timmclaughlin]

Great topic. I am about to buy another bike and this topic has been a big concern. I have an air cooled cb 360 Honda. Looking to add a bigger classic looking bike that can ride highways if needed. Back roads are the main area of interest. Looked at Ducati Scramblers but read a ton of overheating complaints. I am looking at Triumph T100. Now the Hondas are water cooled and the Triumphs T100 from 2016 on/ so I had decided that water cooled was the way to go. I live in South Florida. Now I am like maybe the air cooled will be ok, , afterall. That opens up a lot of bikes like the Royal Einfields all air cooled. Ok I am still conflicted...

[jseden]

I ride an air cooled bike every day, sometimes I hit traffic. I just shut it off whenever possible if I’m being forced to sit.

[JAY-vyvr]

I ride a royal Enfield 500... 2min in the traffic and it feels like hell!!!! Shits hotter than the sun. Shifting to a 200cc liquid cooled bike.

[radwasakr]

What to buy in a really hot humid gulf country? Air cooled like Harley or water cooled like Suzuki m109

[TheCanadianBubba]

Wish I had a Jeep grille...


if I had the rest of it too !

[angelnokare]

I really like the looks of MotoGuzzi V7 or V9 classic bikes but the fact they are air cooled makes me worried.... I don't plan to ride them to town(much) but I do want to ride a lot in summer and take hot vacations to the seaside... I worry it would overheat.

[lucmercierqc]

I have the same character as all the bikes I've own! Im a road runner. I hate city driving, I hate traffics jams, And less cars I have around me better I feel. I do my own mécanics so I don't need complex motors. Air cooled motors have way more caracter. I don't need multimillions hps, i need user friendly torque. Air cooled talk to you. Its just like our best friend dogs. They are not perfect, you learn to like them and how to treat them. Anything are perfect on this planet. When I hit a traffic jam my bike is angry just like me, its my fault to get him in that traffic, lack off planing it was my fault to plan other ways. I love not perfect living tings. The only ting that an air cooled ask is fresh oil, it's his blood and cooling trick. In our days 90% off machine don't have any caracter. when I wake up the baby he is not there to give me his max performance so I let him time to wake up before asking him to give me his max. Sometime I feel agresive and never an air cooled let me down, And if I go to far on rpm he is telling me its enough. Love air cooled for their living matter.