Coolant
Keep your Engine Running at Optimum Temperature with 24MX Coolants
The 1971 Suzuki GT750 may get praise for being the first Japanese motorcycle to feature liquid cooling but the water-cooled Scott Flying Squirrel was winning TT races as far back as 1912. Yet, what is the purpose of motorbike coolant and what are the best features to look out for when choosing from 24MX’s motocross coolant range? At one time, motorcycle manufacturers only used liquid cooling for race engines. Today, thanks to strict emission and noise regulations, most new motorcycles from 250cc up are liquid cooled. Liquid cooling for motorcycles is the best way to maintain an engine at a constant temperature to produce maximum power and efficiency. Being able to control the heat of the engine also means that component tolerances are closer. All of these factors result in quieter, more fuel-efficient and cleaner running engines.
For dirt bikes, although emissions and noise are not such an issue, motocross coolant is essential. Liquid-cooled motocross engines take less time to warm up, which allows for faster and longer use of maximum power. If motorbike coolant or motorbike antifreeze is so vital, what features should you look for when choosing a motocross coolant? 24MX offers motorbike coolant from seven of the top manufacturers. Each one brings slightly different attributes to the table and here are some of the top features to look out for when choosing a motocross coolant.
Temperature range
These figures should appear on every coolant/antifreeze and give the maximum upper and lower levels of safe working temperature. The highest temperature is referred to as the boiling point. Meanwhile, the lowest reading is the coolant’s freezing point. The typical boiling point range is from 122-135°C with the freezing range typically -14 to -60°C.
Ready-mixed
Ready-mixed motorbike coolant is ready to use, and you can pour it into a cooling system straight from the container. Ready-mixed coolant is ideal for taking along with you in the field as well as for fast trackside top-ups.
Concentrated
Concentrated coolant is undiluted, which means you can alter the amount of dilution, giving it the potential to protect across a wide temperature range. Straight from the container, some undiluted coolants can protect engines at temperatures as low as -60°C.
Anti-corrosive
Chemicals are added to the coolant to give it anti-corrosion properties. This feature is important as the coolant comes into contact with various aluminium and ferrous metal parts such as water pumps and hose couplings. Corrosion of such parts can affect the flow of the coolant and its cooling properties.
Biodegradable
Some conventional motocross coolants use ethylene glycol-based products that are toxic and need careful disposal. Biodegradable coolant is more environmentally friendly.
Coolant colour
Does blue motorbike antifreeze make an engine run cooler than yellow coolant? For motorbike coolant, colour does not play a factor in its protective qualities. When it’s formulated, the coolant is almost clear. Manufacturers add a dye to either distinguish their brand or use a colour to make it easier to detect coolant leaks.
Distilled water
You can add tap or bottled water to coolant as a get-you-home fix but is not the best option. Tap water contains minerals and these can build up as sediment or limescale deposits inside the cooling system. Over time, this action can cause an engine to overheat, resulting in reduced performance or engine damage. Distilled water is widely used to dilute coolant as the distillation process has removed all the calcium and magnesium. However, softened water is even better. Softened water rids all harmful minerals but is chemically and ionically balanced, meaning it is far less corrosive. Always refer to manufacturers’ recommendations for levels of dilution. Whichever motocross coolant you choose, 24MX will help keep your engine running at its optimum temperature.