Antifreeze

In our fleet we have 2 watercooled bikes, my VX and my sons 50cc Derbi (which has no antifreeze in it at the moment). I am also going to change mine as I do not how old it is, so I need to get some antifreeze, glycol based or this new OAT stuff?
If it has to be glycol based will the same stuff that I use in my car be ok (http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-accessories/winter-essentials/antifreeze-coolant/blue-antifreeze-coolant/?523770501&0&cc5_865)

I am no expert on this fluid but I do know it is something that is ignored by the majority of people full stop. I dont see the type of AF as being important at all, I would never of thought to check what type I was buying if I ever bought some, I would just buy the cheapest available

Get one that's suitable for aluminium engines (most are multi metal these days) don't mix them as they cancel out their anti corrosive properties, don't top up with tap water (very corrosive), use distilled, Orange/Pink stuff is usually Long Life,  Blue/Green is Normal life span 2 years or so. 

Good info sim.... I'm impressed !

im with sim can't say about the rest but the Pink vag (vw/audi) stuff is 5 years any GSF car parts sell it

bigmal wrote:

Good info sim.... I'm impressed !

  Thanks Sim.

You learn something new every day, gotta be honest and confess that I have never bothered with anti freeze changes

captain crash wrote:

You learn something new every day, gotta be honest and confess that I have never bothered with anti freeze changes

you have been lucky i don't know how a freeze would go on a bike. know on a car you have core plugs in the block that pot out
take it bikes must have some sort of safeguard to?

I am using the Castrol one, it agrees with the needs of the motorcycles and is not a very expensive part of the bike
It has to be changed every 2 years at most and use a waterproof gloves when changing


Premixed and ready to use.
Protects reliably down to -25°C.
Satisfies the requirements of all water-cooled motorcycle and scooter engines.
Excellent cooling performance for summer and winter.
Outstanding protection against corrosion and deposits.
Protects the entire cooling system.
Promotes the engine and increases its durability.
Contains: 1 litre
Harmful if swallowed., May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure

CASTROL MOTORCYCLE COOLANT GRAND PRIX (2x1 L)






It is better to use a funnel to change it

But just to say I use the cheap long life pretty purple stuff from eurocar parts, £10 for 5litre and 5 years of cover