Without a decent motorcycle coolant in your cooling system, your engine won’t be able to operate at a safe temperature. Engines house controlled explosions that generate a lot of energy. Unfortunately, only a small amount of this energy can be harnessed to move your motorcycle forward. The majority of the energy is converted to heat. Without a cooling system, your motorcycle’s engine will overheat. That’s why it’s essential to have the best motorcycle coolant in your system, helping your engine work more efficiently, improving your performance.
Here are the best motorcycle coolant products on the market.
You can trust anything made by Bel-Ray. It’s a brand name that many riders have come to rely on over the years, and if you’re looking for a high quality but low cost motorcycle coolant, then this product is worth putting in your basket. This Bel Ray Moto Chill Racing Coolant caught our attention and ranks in first place thanks to the fact that it’s a non-toxic formula manufactured from propylene glycol, ensuring superior heat transfer and the promise of cooler running engines, without putting your health or the environment in any unnecessary danger. Like most coolants, it’s specially formulated to protect your motorcycle from corrosion, whilst simultaneously extending the working life of your cooling system, even those that feature magnesium or aluminum components.
This product is an effective an affordable coolant for your motorcycle, but what we really appreciate most from this Bel-Ray coolant is the fact that it’s both non-toxic and recyclable. We’ve mentioned that it’s not irritating to the skin, but it’s not harmful to ground water in case of a spillage either. In that respect, it’s as environmentally friendly as a coolant can be, with all of the coolant’s liquid components being biodegradable, breaking down into harmless and environmentally sound molecules. Bel-Ray’s Moto Chill Racing Coolant is suitable for use in all liquid-cooled, sealed engines. It’s great for racing motorcycles, regular street bikes, off-roaders, ATVs, and snowmobiles. Plus, you can use it on a variety of other liquid-cooled engines, such as pumps, compressors, electrical generators and more!
Next up, we have this high performance coolant from Engine Ice. The Engine Ice brand name is widely respected, and there are thousands of reviews out there from riders who swear by this product. Once added, the Engine Ice High Performance Coolant offers boil over temperatures to 256 degrees Fahrenheit, whilst providing your motorcycle with anti-freeze protection to temperatures as low of -24 degrees Fahrenheit. No matter the weather, this coolant will ensure that your engine is running at the optimum temperature. It will also reduce your engine operating temperature by as much as 20 degrees, which makes it an ideal coolant for road racing of off-road riding. Corrosion protection is also guaranteed, no matter what your system is made from; it protects aluminum, copper, steel magnesium, cast iron, and more.
Similar to the Bel-Ray product above, this one is also environmentally conscious. It’s a non-toxic, biodegradable formula that’s also phosphate-free, promising a longer lifetime. Since it’s a propylene glycol based product, it helps to prevent engine seal and gasket failures, particularly around the water pump gasket. What’s more, the Engine Ice High Performance Coolant is track sanctioned and race legal at CCS, FUSA, and AMA racing events. This coolant arrives pre-diluted, so you can simply add it and go without a fuss. This is a great choice if you take racing seriously, or want an environmentally friendly and completely convenient, hassle-free experience.
Top Features:
Formulated specifically for high performance racing machines
Maxima is another brand name that you can trust. We love their products, and the company’s specially formulated engine coolant is no different. This product’s full name is technically “Maxima Coolanol 50/50 Blend Performance” and that’s because it’s formulated with a cool 50/50 blend of two different things: a radiator fluid that’s both a coolant and antifreeze. 50% of the formula is a premium quality ethylene glycol antifreeze agent while the other 50% is de-ionized water coolant. Together, they make for a potent motorcycle coolant that can be used all year ‘round, whatever the weather, offering exceptional engine performance under any circumstances.
Thanks to the antifreeze properties, the Maxima Coolanol allows your engine to keep running in temperatures down to -34 degrees Fahrenheit. The coolant also features a high boiling point of 265 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that your engine will be able to endure the punishing heat of the hottest days during the summer too. This coolant also protects your motorcycle from corrosion, and protects a wide range of metals including aluminum and magnesium, and it also prevents cavitation and protects your gaskets, thanks to the use of glycol and a cool anti-foam agent. This low-silicate formula is ideal for almost all liquid-cooled engines, offering cooling capabilities, protection, and high performance at an attractive and economical price point.
Top Features:
Works with aluminum and magnesium systems
Corrosion and cavitation protection
Ideal for both two and four-stroke liquid-cooled applications
As the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturer, it’s not surprise that Honda’s OEM coolant should make an appearance on this list. This long life coolant is specially formulated by Honda and it’s specifically suited for Honda and Acura applications. It works as both an antifreeze and a coolant, protects your engine all year ‘round, and it lasts a very long time. If you happen to be a Honda owner, then you’d be a fool not to have a bottle of this in your garage. It works for cars, ATVs, scooters, motorcycles, and other liquid-cooled Honda branded goods, and it really does last a long time. If you like a product with longevity, this is the one for you.
Manufactured on top of a base of ethylene glycol, this coolant is designed to keep aluminum components well-protected. This OEM product keeps rust and corrosion at bay, and thanks to the use of de-ionized water, scale build-ups on your components are kept to the minimum. What’s more, it’s already mixed, so all you have to do is put it to use and you’re ready to go. According to Honda, this coolant doesn’t have to be replaced for up to five years, or 60,000 miles, depending on what happens first. It’s silicate and borate-free, making it reasonably environmentally friendly, though it’s not as friendly as some others ranked higher on this list.
Top Features:
Ethylene glycol solution for superior aluminum protection
Ideal for all Honda or Acura applications
Ready for use right away
Silicate and borate-free formula
Impressively long lifespan of up to 5 years or 60,000 miles
5. Liquid Performance Racing Coolant & Anti-Freeze
This racing coolant and antifreeze product from Liquid Performance is a must for any rider who wants exceptional performance from their engine, no matter the weather. It’s a serious race-developed product that offers premium results, optimizing engine performance in both summer and winter weather thanks to the addition of LP3 additives that are guaranteed to reduce heat and friction, reduce internal engine wear, and produce better results than other products on the market. In fact, this coolant was dyno tested for horsepower against other leading coolants, and Liquid Performance’s product was the only one that could consistently maintain more horsepower than the rest. It was also tested against other competitors in a temperature test, and managed to beat its closest competitor by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit too.
The actual formula is a phosphate-free, propylene glycol mixture that’s relatively non-toxic and biodegradable. In terms of performance specs, this coolant has boiling point protection of up to 260 degrees Fahrenheit (126.6 degrees Celsius) and freezing point protection down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34 degrees Celsius). Finally, the Liquid Performance Racing Coolant and Antifreeze comes pre-mixed with de-ionized water, which means that it’s ready to use straight from the bottle. It’s also a fully legal race coolant which is sanctioned for use at all AMA affiliated racing events.
Top Features:
Propylene glycol and phosphate-free formula
Boiling point protection of up to 260 degrees Fahrenheit
Non-toxic and biodegradable
Fully legal at all AMA sanctioned racing events
Premixed with de-ionized water: no dilution required
This product from Motul is a coolant additive that comes in at a very reasonable price. Unlike others on this list, it doesn’t come with an antifreeze formula, but what it does do it improve you radiator’s heat exchange efficiency, allowing your engine to run at a temperature of up to 30 degree Fahrenheit cooler. Not only that, this inexpensive coolant additive also helps to protect against corrosion on a wide range of metals, including aluminum, copper, cast iron, bronze, brass, and magnesium. Since Motul is a brand name that you can trust, you can certainly have confidence that this product will do the job for your motorcycle.
Apart from lowering your engine’s running temperature and protecting important components from corrosion, this additive also has a special formulation that’s particularly friendly to otherwise easily upset goods such as plastic, your seals and gaskets, as well as plastic points. It can do that and avoid cavitation occurring on your hardware too, across a wide range of temperatures. If you’re looking to improve the effect of your motorcycle’s cooling system and find the optimum temperature for efficient performance at a reasonable price, then this is product worth considering. It’s cheap, efficient, highly-versatile, and can be used on a wide range of applications, including cars, ATVs, motorcycles, and other liquid-cooled engines.
Top Features:
Non-glycol based product
Won’t corrode or damage plastics or rubber
Reduces engine operating temperature by up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit
Improves engine cooling efficiency
Ideal for aluminum, magnesium, copper, brass, and bronze cases
7. Red Line Supercool Engine Coolant With Water Wetter
This product from Red Line is one of the most sophisticated motorcycle coolants on the market. It’s called Super Cool for a reason. It’s an exceptional high-performance motorcycle coolant product that is specially blended with the company’s Water Wetter coolant additive to offer one of the most comprehensive products you can buy. Formulated without the use of glycol compounds, and blended with de-ionized water, this coolant from Red Line offers superior heat transfer properties, reduces cylinder head temperatures and engine operating temperatures, and won’t lower the overall temperature of your cooling system below the proper thermostatically controlled limit.
What’s more, the Red Line Supercool Engine Coolant with Water Wetter also reduces the effects of rust, corrosion, and electrolysis, whilst simultaneously cleaning and lubricating your water pump seals, and reducing cavitation and scaling, and the formation of vapour and bubbles. It’s also specially formulated to work with aluminum, copper, brass, bronze, and cast iron cooling systems. All in all, it will keep your engine running at the optimum temperature for the best performance, whatever the weather, whilst keeping your system strong, healthy, and corrosion-free. It’s a versatile solution that can be used on almost all modern liquid-cooled engines, for karts, ATVs, scooters, and motorcycles.
Top Features:
Designed for maximum power at the lowest temperatures
Doesn’t use glycol compounds
Corrosion-resistant de-ionized water blend with Water Wetter
Significantly reduces a coolant’s temperature by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit
If you live in a really hot place and have a motorcycle that’s running hot, then you should consider investing in Maxima’s Cool-Aide. It’s another product from Maxima, which is a brand that we really respect and trust, and if a hot engine is giving you grief, this is what you need. It’s a powerful additive formulated with deionized water that increasing your motorcycle’s cooling capacity and increases the overall efficiency of your system. It reduces your engine temperatures and improves the contact between heated surfaces, and improving the overall heat transfer. This product also protects against rust and corrosion, whilst simultaneously lubricating the water pump.
It should be noted that this does not have any antifreeze properties or freeze protection. It comes in two types, a 64 oz bottle that requires no dilution, mixing, or blending that can be used right away; and a smaller and more powerful 16 oz concentrated solution. They can both be mixed with water and antifreeze, but on their own, you won’t get any freeze protection! However, this product is glycol, nitrate, amine, and borax-free, non-slippery, and approved for race use in a number of racing disciplines. Lastly, this product can be used in both two and four-stroke liquid-cooled engines.
This ready to use coolant from Motorex is an ethylene glycol formula, specifically formulated to provide the best cold protection and to keep your engine from overheating, whilst simultaneously protecting your system against the effects of corrosion, and the build-up of debilitating deposits. Though it comes highly recommended as an excellent coolant replacement for most KTM models, this Motorex coolant can be used with all modern engines. It’s ideal for aluminum engines and machines that are used to operating under a high load. Finally, it’s compatible with almost all standard commercial seals and radiator hoses, so you shouldn’t have to worry.
The actual blend of the Motorex Coolant M3.0 is glycol-free base that’s already premixed with water, and doesn’t contain any silicates, amine, phosphates, or nitrates, which are commonly found in other products. This gives the coolant a longer operating life. Since it’s formulated for machines that operate under a high load, it’s an excellent coolant for racing purposes. The blend can maintain optimum operating temperatures across a broad spectrum of condition, has superior heat conductivity, and can keep your motorcycle operating in temperatures as low as -27.4 degrees Fahrenheit (-33 degrees Celsius). Highly recommended for engines that require a silicate free antifreeze additive.
Top Features:
Glycol-free racing coolant
Cold protection to temperatures as low as -27.4 degrees Fahrenheit
Silicate, Amine, Nitrate, and Phosphate-free
Compatible with all commercial seals and radiator hoses
Lastly, we have the EVANS Powersports Waterless Coolant. As you can probably guess, this is a special waterless motorcycle engine coolant, and because of its waterless nature, it has a number of interesting features. Firstly, and most obviously, it’s ready to use straight away and doesn’t require any mixing. More importantly though, this waterless solution has been specially formulated to eliminate almost all kinds of corrosion, cavitation, and electrolysis, with no chemical breakdown whatsoever. This cool feature helps add miles and years to your coolant system’s lifespan, keeping your engine running smoothly for longer. Surprisingly, it can also improve on your engine’s fuel efficiency, which helps you to save money in the long run.
This EVANS product is a race-developed coolant that many professional racing outfits have come to rely on over the years, and it has demonstrated its ability to keep high performance engines cool even during the toughest of conditions. With a boiling point of 375 degrees Fahrenheit, there’s almost no chance of it ever boiling over and overheating, no matter the weather or how much stress you put on the engine. And thanks to the lack of water in the solution, it eliminates the chances of any water-related engine problems that could inhibit your performance in the future too. With freeze protection down to as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit, this is an excellent package for those looking for the optimum operating temperatures for their engine in both hot and cold climates. Finally, this motorcycle coolant is ideal for a wide range of vehicles and motorcycles, from street and dirt bike models, to ATVs, UTVs, and karts.
Top Features:
Suitable for a wide range of applications
Eliminates corrosion, cavitation, and electrolysis
High boiling point of 375 degrees Fahrenheit
Cold protection to temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit
Waterless formula – no mixing or blending required!
Motorcycle Coolant Buying Guide And FAQ
Buying motorcycle products of any kind can be overwhelming. Shopping around for motorcycle coolant is no different. Unlike hunting for a replacement battery or upgrading your existing drive chain, buying a new motorcycle coolant isn’t particularly straightforward. There are plenty of products that can do the job, but there are also a lot of variables out there. Do you need a coolant that doubles up as an antifreeze? Can your engine handle silicates? Do you live in a really hot environment? Are you looking for coolant to cool a low revving Harley Davidson, or for a high revving sports machine? You should consider things like this before buying the first coolant that you see. Here are a few key things to take into account before making a purchase.
Important Things To Look Out For
Motorcycle Compatibility
First things first, check your motorcycle’s service manual and read up on what kind of coolant will offer the best results for your ride. If you don’t have a user manual for your motorcycle, check online and trawl through the forums related to your model. You’ll quickly find out what coolant types are recommended. The right motorcycle coolant will help your engine perform the best it can, and it will seriously improve the life span of many of your engine’s components by protecting them from corrosion, rust, and cavitation. While you’ve got the manual, check out your coolant’s tank capacity. If you buy too little coolant, the cooling system won’t function correctly.
Pre-Mixed Or Mix Your Own?
You can purchase motorcycle coolant in a couple of ways: premixed, or as a concentrate. It should go without saying that premixed coolants are just way more convenient and make your life much easier. Water-based coolants are generally premixed for your convenience with de-ionized water, which is a very pure form of water that won’t cause any corrosion, or cause scaling in your cooling system, due to the fact that it doesn’t have any harmful minerals in it. Concentrated motorcycle coolants come in different forms and mainly require you to add your own water. We recommend ready-to-use premixed coolants for easier motorcycle maintenance.
Note: de-ionized water and distilled water aren’t the same thing. They’re similar, but not the same.
Service Life
A motorcycle coolant with a long life is arguably the best kind of coolant for the average motorcyclist. A coolant with a long service life is easier on the wallet, sure, but more importantly, a coolant that has been formulated to have a long life will be a seriously high-quality coolant. A quality coolant with a long life expectancy will improve your motorcycle’s fuel efficiency, prevent important mechanical parts from developing problems, and will save you money in the long run. Money that can be spent on motorcycle accessories and things generally more exciting than coolant.
Chemical Ingredients
The chemical make-up of a motorcycle coolant may influence your decision on whether to buy it or not. Some coolants are made of harmful materials that are toxic and irritating to the skin, and very harmful to the environment. If you’re looking for a solution that’s easy to handle and won’t hurt you or the environment, take extra care reading the manufacturer’s ingredients and descriptions to insure that you’re not putting yourself in harm’s way unnecessarily. Any coolant that contains silicates and phosphates can be harmful to the environment and parts of your motorcycle, especially if they’re manufacture red from aluminum or magnesium.
High Boiling Point
It’s important to find a coolant that has a high boiling point. The higher a coolant’s boiling point, the more efficient it is at cooling an engine. Coolant’s that have a higher boiling point, of at least 250 degrees Fahrenheit, are essential if you want the best performance out of your engine. If you live in an area which has hot outdoor temperatures, it’s twice as important to get a coolant with a high boiling point. If you ride a high-revving motorcycle, it’s also worth investing in the highest boiling point rated coolant you can to help prevent overheating.
Antifreeze Capabilities
Not all coolants have antifreeze properties in them. The vast majority of modern formulas do, but don’t count on it. Always make sure that you check the product description. A good antifreeze solution will protect your engine at cooler temperatures and allow it to operate down to temperatures as low as – 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Naturally, if you live in a region where temperatures regularly fall down to freezing temperatures, you’re going to want an antifreeze additive in your coolant. If you live in an area where freezing temperatures never happen, it’s not so important. Some coolants can be mixed with other antifreeze products without a fuss – just follow the manufacturer’s instructions before doing so!
Component Protection
This is more of a summary of many of the other points listed above. Coolants need anti-corrosion additives to make sure that your cooling system works properly. Cooling systems can be made from a variety of materials, including aluminum, magnesium, bronze, cast iron, and brass. Different coolants can have different effects on different metals, so it’s imperative that you make sure you buy a coolant that won’t cause your system harm. Silicates, borates, phosphates and even carboxylates can reduce corrosion, but they can cause harmful effects elsewhere on your motorcycle if you don’t do your homework and double check. Seals, hoses, and gaskets can also deteriorate if exposed to harmful ingredients, so make sure you check everything before pulling the trigger on a purchase.
Different Types Of Motorcycle Coolant Available
If it wasn’t enough that you had to worry about the chemical make-up of your coolant, the operating temperatures, the materials your system is made out of, and whether you mix your own coolant or buy a premixed product, you also have to know about the two different types of coolant available too. These two main coolant types are water-based or water-free. Here are the differences between the two.
Water-Based Motorcycle Coolants
Water-based motorcycle coolants are coolants that are primarily made out of water. Generally water comprises about 50% of the overall ingredients. Many of the water-based coolants on the market today are premixed, but there are some that require you to dilute them with water yourself. Most coolants on the market are water-based, and they’re easily the most popular because they’re cheap to manufacture and easy to use. They’re more cost-effective, but they’re not always the most efficient, since they tend to have a lower boiling point than waterless solutions. With that in mind, if you need a coolant for a racing motorcycle in a hot climate, a water-based solution might not be the best motorcycle coolant for you. Water-based coolants can also cause corrosion to your motorcycle components.
Water Free Motorcycle Coolants
As the name suggests, water-free motorcycle coolants are formulated without water as an ingredient. The lack of water makes these coolants far more expensive, but without water as a main ingredient there’s almost a zero percent chance of any corrosion happening in your motorcycle’s cooling system. The constituent chemicals in a water-free motorcycle coolant are generally better at channeling heat away from your engine, have a higher boiling point, and have a better heat capacity in general. These coolants are excellent for racing applications since they can endure more punishment. They also have a longer life than traditional water-based coolants too – which is a nice compromise with the higher price tag.
How To Change Your Coolant
Changing your motorcycle coolant is relatively easy providing that you have the appropriate tools and take your safety seriously. Before you get started, make sure you have all the correct items and tools. Here’s what you’ll need:
Enough motorcycle coolant to fill your tank
A flushing solution (like EVANS Prep Fluid) to purge your system properly
Screwdrivers or Hex keys appropriate for your motorcycle
A drip tray to collect old coolant
A funnel
Old rags to absorb any spillages
Once you’re armed with the right tools for the job, make sure your motorcycle is cold, and wheel it somewhere where you can safely work. It’s important that your motorcycle hasn’t been running before you attempt this. If you try and open the main drain bolt after the engine has been running, you could hurt yourself since the pressurised coolant could erupt and shoot out. This isn’t ideal at all! Now that you’re aware of the risk, here’s how to change your motorcycle coolant.
#01. Put your motorcycle up on its center stand or on a paddock stand, and remove any parts of the fairing necessary to gain access to your radiator cap, header tank, and the all-important drain bolt. If your drain bolt is placed near your side stand, it can be better to place your bike on its side stand to make the draining process easier. If your motorcycle doesn’t have a drain bolt, then you must remove the lowest hose to drain the system. It’s essential that you make sure the coolant is cold before attempting this.
#02. Position a drip tray underneath your drain bolt and loosen the radiator cap to decrease the pressure in your system. This will also allow your old coolant to drain smoothly. Don’t remove the radiator cap completely or you’ll have a jet of coolant shooting out of your system when you remove the drain bolt! With a drip tray in place, carefully remove your drain bolt and any sealing washers, and allow the old coolant to drain.
#03. Now is a good time to clean your system. This isn’t essential, but it’s worth it. Re-attach your drain bolt and fill your radiator and overflow with a special flushing fluid, or a homemade mixture of distilled water and vinegar at a 50:50 ratio (use a funnel for this) and refit the radiator cap and overflow cap. Wait for the fluid to reach every part of the cooling system, and then start your bike and let it run for about 10 minutes or until it reaches its normal operating temperature.
#04. When your motorcycle has completely cooled down again, remove the flushing fluid in the same way that you removed the old coolant, and rinse it through with distilled water until the fluid that flows out of your drain bolt hole is clean.
#05. Now it’s time to add your new coolant. Refit your drain bolt, ideally with a new washer, and place a funnel into your radiator top and carefully fill it with coolant. Don’t rush this, and make sure you wait for the coolant to spread into all the parts of your system. Fill up your expansion tank too. Remove trapped air by gently squeezing the hoses, purging it from the system.
#06. Let the bike sit for a moment or two. This allows the fluid to move through the system and settle. Check the fluid levels again, and add more if you used too little coolant. Secure your caps and bolts, and move on to the next step.
#07. Start the engine again, and let it run for a about 10 minutes, bringing the cooling system up to its operating temperature. Make sure you let the bike cool before moving on to the next step. The cooling bike will move around any trapped air, which might mean you need to add more coolant to your system if the level is too low after the air is expelled. Be sure to check the fluid levels in your radiator and expansion tank levels a final time too.
#08. Finally, clean up any coolant that might have spilled onto your motorcycle’s bodywork or other metal parts. Motorcycle coolant can be corrosive, so you don’t want that on your bike. It can be safely washed away with soapy water. After that, clean up your tools and store any remaining coolant somewhere safe. And the job is done.
Motorcycle Coolant FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kind of coolant should I used in my motorcycle?
A: Check your owner’s manual and follow your manufacturer’s guidance for the best motorcycle coolant options for your model. If in doubt, search for a properly formulated motorcycle engine coolant and antifreeze. These are usually made from propylene glycol or ethylene glycol, with propylene glycol being the universally accepted “best choice” for motorcycle engines. It’s important that you know which type you have in your system, because you shouldn’t mix the two types together.
It’s also important to find a coolant that doesn’t contain any harmful phosphates or silicates – these compounds can harm your cooling system if you’re not regular with your maintenance. Phosphates and silicates work to insulate your system, but if left unchecked those same compounds can form thick layers that affect the heat transfer process, and eat away at seals and gaskets. Whatever coolant you decide to use, make sure it’s compatible with aluminum, since most motorcycle radiators are made from this metal.
Q: Can you use car coolant in a motorcycle?
A: While it’s always best to use a motorcycle-specific product, you can use certain types of car coolants in your motorcycle’s system. Providing that the coolant contains ethylene glycol antifreezing properties, it should be fine to use in both your car and motorcycle. Do check the manufacturer’s instructions before doing this though, and make sure you flush out any old coolant before trying a new brand or chemical formula.
Q: How to flush motorcycle coolant?
A: You can use special flushing formulas to flush any old coolant from your radiator and tank. It’s also possible to use a 50:50 ratio of distilled water and vinegar to flush your system. Full instructions on how to do this can be found above in the “How To Change Your Coolant” section. Always make sure you drain any old coolant when your motorcycle’s engine is cold to avoid injury.
Q: Where to buy motorcycle coolant?
A: Most vehicle care products can easily be purchased in stores or online. For the best deals, using an online shopping platform can yield the best results. Many of these motorcycle coolant bottles aren’t particularly heavy so many vendors offer free shipping. If you need to get a bottle of coolant immediately, your best bet is to visit your nearest hardware store or gas station. Larger retailers like Wal-Mart also carry motorcycle coolant products. Whatever you do, make sure you do your research and buy the correct product for your motorcycle’s cooling system. Always read the ingredients and instructions, and refer to your owner’s manual in advance.
Q: How long does motorcycle coolant last?
A: Between 1 and 3 years is the general rule. However, if your cooling system was absolutely perfect, manufactured with completely compatible pieces, and no fluid ever leaked, and no seals ever broke down, your coolant should last forever. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Seals perish, fluid leaks, and air gets into the system. Air and water introduce ions and other contaminants that bring corrosion and electrolysation into the mix, which reduce the effectiveness of your coolant and cooling system in general. The best way to counter this is to regularly change your coolant and keep on top of your maintenance, cleaning the system and replacing any parts such as seals and hoses that could perish.
Q: When should I change coolant in a motorcycle?
A: For the best results, you should replace your coolant annually. Many riders don’t replace their coolants for up to 3 years. On average, it’s every 2 years. However, there’s nothing wrong with changing your coolant more regularly. A coolant’s performance degrades as time moves on. Corrosion builds up, fluid and coolant ratios change, and seals in the system perish. If you want to experience the best performance and want your cooling system to last as long as possible, check and replace your coolant once a year. It doesn’t hurt to go the extra mile when it comes to motorcycle maintenance.
Joe is a motorcycle industry veteran who has not only been paid for his words on the industry but also to throw a leg over a bike on the track. Besides riding, and occasionally crashing motorcycles, he also likes to build up older bikes in his garage in Germany. He says; "I like what I like but that certainly doesn’t make my opinion any more valid than yours…" We like Joe's educated opinion and hope you do too.
