What Coolant Do You Use?

RiderOnTheStorm · March 9th, 2012, 09:34 PM

I took my lower faring off this evening and found the reservoir nearly empty... I am pretty concerned so I am hoping that adding a 50/50 mix will get me taken care of. The manual says "green" coolant. Is there something you guys recommend?? Thanks!

TBC · March 9th, 2012, 09:50 PM

I don't have any recommendations, but you just reminded me to check mine...

indr · March 9th, 2012, 10:05 PM

I used Honda Type II Coolant the last couple times.

greenaero · March 9th, 2012, 10:10 PM

You can use any antifreeze that is compatable with with aluminum engines, usually ethylene glycol. Mix it 50/50 with distilled water unless it is already premixed. If you drain the old collant , be sure to remove trapped air in the cooling system.

Alex · March 10th, 2012, 09:10 AM

/moved to new-gen tech

EthioKnight · March 10th, 2012, 08:17 PM

I use Water Wetter...great stuff and has a very high reputation in the racing circuit.

randy328 · March 11th, 2012, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EthioKnight

I use Water Wetter...great stuff and has a very high reputation in the racing circuit.

Me too...in the race bike, as water with water wetter is the only thing allowed with the group I race with. But be aware, it has minimal antifreeze properties, so if it gets chilly, the bike needs to stay warm - heater, garage, living room, etc.

EthioKnight · March 11th, 2012, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randy328

Me too...in the race bike, as water with water wetter is the only thing allowed with the group I race with. But be aware, it has minimal antifreeze properties, so if it gets chilly, the bike needs to stay warm - heater, garage, living room, etc.

hmmm...mind defining "chilly". Here in the South, it barely gets real cold and even so, it's probably for a month or two and I don't recall seeing temperatures below ~20 F...

randy328 · March 11th, 2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EthioKnight

hmmm...mind defining "chilly". Here in the South, it barely gets real cold and even so, it's probably for a month or two and I don't recall seeing temperatures below ~20 F...

Chilly is below freezing. What are you putting it in? If you have antifreeze in already, WW enhances the heat removing capability, and you don't have to worry about the freezing issue.

If you have straight water (which is what most race bikes have, though some allow some glycol based solutions), WW also cools much better, but offers almost no freezing protection - i.e., anything below freezing for any length of time can freeze, expand, and damage the block.

EthioKnight · March 11th, 2012, 01:04 PM

I've it mixed with distilled water...that's all. I can't risk the potential damage though, bruh. I'll start looking for a new brand...perhaps that Honda above with a tad bit of WW as you recommend.

choneofakind · March 11th, 2012, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randy328

i.e., anything below freezing for any length of time can freeze, expand, and damage the block.

Is this going to be an issue for a bike that sits in a garage all winter with the garage door occasionally being opened for a few minutes at a time while cars are parked? Or is this only an issue for a bike that is run in winter? I'm looking at switching to coolant that is non ethylene glycol for my track day this summer. Should I use Engine Ice instead of Water Wetter because Engine Ice is "Poly Glycol and is allowed at Mid-Ohio?

massacremasses · March 11th, 2012, 09:58 PM

I used engine ice...

Its for dirt bikes generally but i imagine it works the same? lol... hopefully..

choneofakind · March 11th, 2012, 10:00 PM

Well, lemme know how it goes.

your bike is the guinea pig, not mine

massacremasses · March 11th, 2012, 10:07 PM

http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/tra...er-wetter.html

these guys use that and water wetter so im not trippin. Sounds like its fine.

csmith12 · March 12th, 2012, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Is this going to be an issue for a bike that sits in a garage all winter with the garage door occasionally being opened for a few minutes at a time while cars are parked? Or is this only an issue for a bike that is run in winter? I'm looking at switching to coolant that is non ethylene glycol for my track day this summer. Should I use Engine Ice instead of Water Wetter because Engine Ice is "Poly Glycol and is allowed at Mid-Ohio?

Water wetter can freeze in an unheated garage. I run both, engine Ice during winter months and water wetter during the riding season. The flush and fill is a little easier on a new gen though.

Mid-O tech is looking for a "color" when checking your coolant. If it's clear your good to go, if it's not clear they "may" want to check more. Green is a guaranteed inquiry about your coolant.

CZroe · March 12th, 2012, 06:10 AM

Why exactly is green coolant not allowed on the track? Does it have lubricative properties when spilled more-so than water (similar to oil catching regulations)? It it an environmental concern?

Also, don't forget that even if your garage is heated, any place you might ride to may not be, so keep that in mind before warming up in a garage and heading out without antifreeze!

csmith12 · March 12th, 2012, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CZroe

Does it have lubricative properties when spilled more-so than water (similar to oil catching regulations)? Is it an environmental concern?

Lubricative properties, ease of cleanup and environmental issues. The color green is just the most common color of standard antifreeze. Hence they ask if you changed coolant as it is "sight" checked during tech.

randy328 · March 12th, 2012, 08:22 AM

I use Engine Ice or Liquid Performance in the street bike, which stays outside during the winter. Water Wetter with water in the track bikes, they stay in heated areas during the winter.

smokinsingle · March 12th, 2012, 03:42 PM

ENGINE ICE! it's in everything I own....Biodegradable to boot

choneofakind · March 12th, 2012, 03:50 PM

Well, now my mind is made up on using Engine Ice when I flush my system and replace coolant

March 9th, 2012, 09:34 PM	#1
RiderOnTheStorm ninjette.org member Name: Brian Location: El Paso, TX Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Blue 08 250 - Blue Magic Posts: 162	What Coolant Do You Use? I took my lower faring off this evening and found the reservoir nearly empty... I am pretty concerned so I am hoping that adding a 50/50 mix will get me taken care of. The manual says "green" coolant. Is there something you guys recommend?? Thanks!

March 10th, 2012, 09:10 AM	#5
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	/moved to new-gen tech __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

March 11th, 2012, 09:58 PM	#12
massacremasses Avid Kitteh Poster Name: Justin Location: Norcal Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Yamaha TTR 50 SUCK IT Posts: A lot.	I used engine ice... Its for dirt bikes generally but i imagine it works the same? lol... hopefully.. __________________________________________________ I powdercoat stuff Help me pay for my addiction I say funny stuff. http://twitter.com/JustinPWNSyou sometimes... I write like a 12 year old too, http://justinpwnsyou.wordpress.com/

March 11th, 2012, 10:07 PM	#14
massacremasses Avid Kitteh Poster Name: Justin Location: Norcal Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Yamaha TTR 50 SUCK IT Posts: A lot.	http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/tra...er-wetter.html these guys use that and water wetter so im not trippin. Sounds like its fine. __________________________________________________ I powdercoat stuff Help me pay for my addiction I say funny stuff. http://twitter.com/JustinPWNSyou sometimes... I write like a 12 year old too, http://justinpwnsyou.wordpress.com/

March 12th, 2012, 08:22 AM	#18
randy328 CMRA Mini Endurance #6 Name: Randy Location: Paradise, Tx Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): CBR954, CBR600RR, EX250 Posts: 108	I use Engine Ice or Liquid Performance in the street bike, which stays outside during the winter. Water Wetter with water in the track bikes, they stay in heated areas during the winter. __________________________________________________ CMRA #328 Ridesmart.info Instructor

March 9th, 2012, 09:50 PM	#2
TBC ninjette.org guru Name: Dave Location: Pittsburgh Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250F Posts: 308	I don't have any recommendations, but you just reminded me to check mine...

March 9th, 2012, 10:05 PM	#3
indr ninjette.org guru Name: . Location: . Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: 331	I used Honda Type II Coolant the last couple times.

March 9th, 2012, 10:10 PM	#4
greenaero Motorcycle Hypermiler Name: Vic Location: Livermore CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.	You can use any antifreeze that is compatable with with aluminum engines, usually ethylene glycol. Mix it 50/50 with distilled water unless it is already premixed. If you drain the old collant , be sure to remove trapped air in the cooling system.

March 10th, 2012, 08:17 PM	#6
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	I use Water Wetter...great stuff and has a very high reputation in the racing circuit.

March 11th, 2012, 01:04 PM	#10
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	I've it mixed with distilled water...that's all. I can't risk the potential damage though, bruh. I'll start looking for a new brand...perhaps that Honda above with a tad bit of WW as you recommend.

March 11th, 2012, 10:00 PM	#13
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Well, lemme know how it goes. your bike is the guinea pig, not mine

March 12th, 2012, 06:10 AM	#16
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	Why exactly is green coolant not allowed on the track? Does it have lubricative properties when spilled more-so than water (similar to oil catching regulations)? It it an environmental concern? Also, don't forget that even if your garage is heated, any place you might ride to may not be, so keep that in mind before warming up in a garage and heading out without antifreeze!

March 12th, 2012, 03:42 PM	#19
smokinsingle L8APEX Name: CRA#33 EXPERT Location: Mankato, MN Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 07 KTM 950SMR, 06 KTM 450SMR, 99 KTM 300MXC, 00 Derbi GPR 50, 09 Ninja 250 racebike, race with www.cra-mn.org! Posts: 233	ENGINE ICE! it's in everything I own....Biodegradable to boot __________________________________________________ www.joemillersmoderngarage.com www.starr-cycle.com *The most important concept of science isn't memorizing facts, it's observation of phenomena.*

March 12th, 2012, 03:50 PM	#20
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Well, now my mind is made up on using Engine Ice when I flush my system and replace coolant

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