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"aid cooling is good". "air cooling is bad". I'm getting mixed messages. What's the deal with that? Is an air-cooled bike (specifically Suzuki GS500F) a good idea in LA heat & traffic? How long can you idle an air-cooled engine in 100-degree heat?

thanks,

Eugene

I've been riding air cooled bikes in the desert for a few decades. Air cooling has never been a big problem. If it's 100 degrees and you will be standing still for more than 10 minutes. I'd suggest turning off the engine. In traffic, as long as you keep moving, you will get some cooling.

The only time I ever overheated a bike was on a 110plus degree day, waiting in line for 45 min. at the emissions testing station. I had a bad battery, so I couldn't turn it off. After about 25 minutes, the idle speed started to drop, which is a good indicator that temps are too high. I should've just packed it in at that point, because (as I found out) an overheated engine will not pass an emissions test.

Liquid cooling has its benefits. More stable temperatures in the cylinders which means better control of combustion, plus the cylinders can be built to closer tolerances (better performance). The downside is that it makes the bike more complex (another potential failure point) and it's heavier.

The main upside to air cooling is that it's light and dirt simple.

what happens when the engine overheats?

how much of an advance warning do you get?

can it really idle for 45 minutes on a 110 degree day?

If anyone has experience specifically with Suzuki GS500F, do tell.

thanks,

Eugene

I was sitting in stopped traffic for 20 minutes on my aircooled bike and the engine started to smoke a bit. Had to pull off to the side and shut it down for a while.

ninja79 wrote:what happens when the engine overheats?

how much of an advance warning do you get?

can it really idle for 45 minutes on a 110 degree day?

If anyone has experience specifically with Suzuki GS500F, do tell.

thanks,

Eugene

Well, the first indication is that the inside of your legs will start to get very hot Seriously, if your bike is well maintained with a steady idle, the idle will start to get a little ragged as the engine begins to get too hot. Easy to notice when you're sitting still.

Yes the bike did keep idling for 45 minutes, but at the end, it was down to 800 rpm from its normal rock steady 1000 rpm. After failing the test I eventually had to shut it off and it didn't want to restart. I let it cool for a few hrs. (and changed the oil) and it went right back to normal.

You are making too much of this. If you like the gs, then get it. There are plenty of aircooled bikes out there that have been on the road for 30+years.

If that's not proof enough of their longevity with proper care, I don't know what is.

The bike I *really* want is ninja 650r, but since it falls under a grey area, I am considering getting a smaller bike to practice on for a few months. The choice comes down to GS500F, ninja 250, and ninja 500. Hmmm.....

Hello everyone.

This is my first post to this forum and my first post to a message board so I'm not sure about message board ettiquete(sp). I know this is kind of off the subject you guys were talking, but it brought up a question I have, so I'd like to apologize for interrupting.

I just got my first bike about 4 days ago and I've noticed that the engine temperatures reach between 200-225 degrees. Am I in danger of overheating?

Don't worry about it. If you keep your bike in good maintenance order you won't have a problem. A water-cooled bike can just as easily blow steam all over the place if it isn't in good working condition.