Engine life for Air vs liquid cooled

[MotoF150]

you guys are missing the main point on water cooled engines, whats important is how fast and its controlled how the engine reaches normal operation temperature to allow the engine to run more efficient, plus you do understand how a pressurized system raises the boiling point,,,right? I have seen the old junky Harleys overheat and swore to myself I will NEVER buy any bike unless its water cooled.

[MotoF150]

allow me to add to my last post, thank you, Water cooled engines circulate the water around all parts of the engine so all parts of the engine are always at the same temp. The reason why air cooled bikes have head gasket and valve problems is because the big difference in heat on different parts of the engine, metal expands and contracts with different temps causing problems. There is no debate: Water Cooled is better!

[Bachstrad37]

Personally, I prefer liquid cooled engines for its ability to cool evenly throughout. I think it's even more crucial if you ride in heavy stop and go traffic where it's just not possible to move enough air to generate enough cooling. Planes aren't idling in traffic like motorcycles can be, so it's a no brainer for a plane to be air cooled (it's lighter to fly with less parts)

There is some virtue of simplicity as well. Like earlier stated, simple bikes are easy to repair. But if longevity is your main concern, timely maintenance is your key for anything mechanical.

[ZooTech]

I prefer a water-cooled engine, especially with all the stop-and-go riding I do down on High Street in Columbus or during the annual light parades during Honda Homecoming. I would not, however, rule out a bike just because it was air-cooled. All of Harley's bikes, save for the V-Rod, are air-cooled and have been for over a century, and they (along with a lot of Yamahas and Beemers) do just fine and last a long time without heat-related engine failures if properly maintained.

[Gummiente]

I have seen the old junky Harleys overheat and swore to myself I will NEVER buy any bike unless its water cooled.

What??!! NOW you tell me... damn, guess I'd better find some poor sucker to unload my new Harley on. While I'm at it, I should also let other riders know about this. You know, like all the BMW, Moto-Guzzi and Ducati riders. Oh, and those poor Hinckley Bonneville and Kawasaki W650 owners need to know, too, as well as the thousands who bought Yamaha Road Stars. I'd better pass the Kleenex to the Virago pilots as well, not to mention the poor souls who all bought Suzuki Bandits. Oh, if only all the motorcycle manufacturers had consulted you first... then all this impending heartbreak could have been avoided.

[jmillheiser]

last time I checked my bandit was aircooled. never had any problems with it.

my first bike was watercooled, never had any problems with it either.

a watercooled engine has more potential to make power because of the more precise control of temperature, but an aircooled engine is typically lighter and can still make plenty of power.

other nice part about aircooled motorcycles, no radiator and hoses to disrupt the look of the engine.

[jmillheiser]

Our project 1303s is 34 years old in December. Most of the bodywork is new(ish) but the engine is still strong and will be going back on the road without a massive rebuild.


(Don't ask, at some point this year I am hoping I wil have the time and funds to sort my bike out and can stop riding the Trike)

my beetle is 33 years old this year. its the opposite of yours though, it has a nearly new engine (that puts out about 90hp) but was hit in the drivers door a couple of years ago so the body is trashed. My beetle was hit right before I was getting ready to do the restoration on the body and the hit was hard enough to mess up the chassis. Have not been able to find a suitable replacement for a reasonable price

[Kal]

Ouch!

I know that parts feeling. Floorpans are running about £170 a half car over this side of the pond. Touchwood I'll not be needing them.

Incidently, what have you done to the engine? Ours is good for something like 60bhp and I have a future brother in law to embarress...

[jmillheiser]

the engine was a mildly built 1776

ill PM you the sepcs.

[Randy]

I don't know. It just seems to me that no new sports car is coming out with an air cooled engine. I mean when was the last time an F40 or Corvette came out with an air cooled engine.

Once again, I am no mechanic but air cooling seems stupid when you can get something that is liquid cooled for about the same price.