Motorcycle coolant change inerval vs autos

[ledslinger]

Some motorcycles have change intervals of 2-3 years. Been reading a discussion of this on another forum, and the best explanation is lower volume cooling systems and increased heat transfer. The theory is that increased heat transfer breaks down coolant additives faster.

Any ideas?

 

[mrsilv04]

I assumed that it was because most motorcycle-specific coolants are made of the old style green coolant chemistry, but without silicates (to protect water pumps).

Therefore, these coolants are not the long life formulas of today, and have to be changed more often.

I now use this.

http://images.peakauto.com/PEAK_longlife5050_spec_sheet_2015_noback_LORES.pdf

Safe for motorcycles (silicate-free) and it is a 5 year long life formula.

 

[Oro_O]

+1mrsilv04.

The MC (you did not specify m/m/y so no warranty on this) do not play the intense chemistry/proprietary game of auto makers. Largely, it comes down to politics. Car design is more government driven than bike design. E.g., TCO is not a critical thing for mc's, so LLC is not an issue (fleet buyers are buying fleets of Taurses and Camrys, not fleets of sport bikes). Thus, re-designing a cooling system around a LLC for accounting purposes is not as important as making the most effective design.

MC radiators have in general a very proportional cooling capacity vs. displacement and cooling volume as a typical auto system. And generally better air flow and thus heat exchange, actually.

Heat transfer is a set physical quantity of a compound. It sounds like the other forum you are reading is a lot of guesswork and not science.

 

[eddy21]

They also specify Replacing brake hoses every 4 years. Maybe trying to keep on the safe side or keep the service dept in the black.

 

[mjoekingz28]

It may be because you can lose alot of feel or bite if your brake hoses are used hard, weathered or left in the sun, ran with old fluid. Maybe stuff like that and fork oil and shock rebuilding will leave you with a "fresh" bike.

 

[CT8]

It is good to over maintain motorcycles. Some motorcycle engines are closer to Formula 1 engines in out put as compared to auto engines.