How to change your motorcycle coolantYour liquid-cooled motorcycle relies on its cooling system every time you ride.
And just like other systems on your bike, it needs periodic attention. Many riders delay coolant changes or neglect them altogether, and I’m not sure why, because changing your coolant is as easy as an oil change, and it’s critical to keeping your cooling system in tip-top shape. Follow this article to complete a coolant change, or watch Ari's video below.When should I change the coolant in a liquid-cooled motorcycle?As a general rule of thumb, your liquid-cooled motorcycle’s coolant should be changed every two years or 24,000 miles, even if it looks good. Murky or brownish coolant should always be drained and replaced. Check your owner’s manual for your motorcycle’s specific coolant replacement interval.
Motorcycle coolant might also need to be changed for a day at the track. Trackday organizations may require that you drain your coolant and replace it with distilled water in case your system dumps across the course. These organizations may allow other additives, like Water Wetter, or they may allow a propylene glycol coolant, such as Engine Ice, for example, but not an ethylene glycol coolant. And they may have different requirements for advanced levels but not for beginner levels, so ask first and make sure you’re compliant with any track rules before you arrive.When should I change the air in an air-cooled motorcycle?Get outta here.What’s in motorcycle coolant and why does it need to be changed?Most liquid-cooled motorcycles use a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze to evacuate engine heat through the radiator(s). Water is a fantastic choice for conducting heat. However, good ol’ H20 becomes a liability once temperatures drop below freezing. Antifreeze takes care of the ice problem, and different formulations may offer other benefits, like increased corrosion resistance or a higher boiling point. You’ll usually see ethylene glycol (toxic) or propylene glycol (non-toxic, but still worth containing) in standard antifreeze.
Over time, the coolant’s different ingredients can break down. Coolant can get pretty dirty, too, and reduced cooling performance can directly affect the health of your motorcycle.Which coolant should I use? Can you use car coolant in a motorcycle?Flip open your bike’s manual and see what coolant it wants. The manual will list coolant specifications that you can cross-check against the wide range of coolants available today. Do a little research to see what other riders are using for your particular model, and don’t get too hung up on selecting the perfect, highest-performing coolant. Just make sure you’re matching the specs in the manual.
As for “car coolant,” that depends. I’m going to assume that you're talking about the standard green stuff from Prestone, etc. If it meets all the specifications in your manual, sure, you can use automotive green stuff, avoiding silicates if you can. Just buy the right stuff and don’t risk your engine. On a related note, don’t assume that the green coolant in your bike is the same as the green coolant used in your car. Modern coolants come in a rainbow of colors that don’t necessarily mean the same thing from one formulation to another.
