Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi all,

How does air cooling compare to liquid cooling? Is it possible to ride air cooled bike in south california weather?

thanks,

Eugene

Yea, air cooled bikes really don't care if it's 100 degrees outside as long as you have some airflow. If you let the bike idle for 15 minutes w/o moving it, then there will be a problem.

Aircooled bikes are also less complicated and therefore have less things that can go wrong. Usually are lighter without the radiator and associated parts. Good aircooled bikes have maximum air flow design (i.e. BMW Airheads, Moto Guzzi V-Twins).

Less than optimum designs have cylinders behind other cylinders (Harley V-Twins, Ariel Square Fours). Vertical twins and fours also have less than even distribution of cooling to their cylinders.

That said, liquid cooled bikes have less temperature variation and can have tighter tolerances. Even cooling of cylinders is facilitated.

For simplicity, air cooling is the way to go. For optimum cooling, liquid cooling is the way to go.
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Cyprus Forum

I ride both. Each has inherent advantages. The main problem with the air-cooled engines is when riding in hot weather and slow traffic. There isn't enough air flow. Engine oil actually does 30% of the cooling workload. That is why I always use 100% synthetic oil of the proper viscosity in my air-cooled engines. Synthetic can take much more heat before it begins to oxidize, especially around the ring grooves, in hot running situations.

Are there any aftermarket temp gauges you can buy for an aircooled bike?

CNF2002 wrote:Are there any aftermarket temp gauges you can buy for an aircooled bike?

Indeed. I know of one kit that replaces the drain plug on the oil pan and has its own gauge.

Check it.