hi, i just picked up an 04 from N.C. and the previous owner said he mixed his coolant with more water in it, he used honda coolant but suggested i replace the coolant because i'm in a colder area. what is everyone running in their bikes? i was just going to go get some honda 50/50 coolant and flush the old stuff, i can't find a drain for the coolant - any suggestions?

I use Engine Ice because it comes conveniently pre-mixed. No muss, no fuss.
As a side note, it's also non-toxic and bio-degradable.
I didn't buy it because of that, but it's a nice touch.

Free Service Manual (http://www.rc51.info/RC-51/namshub/00-02-RC51-Svc.pdf) here..

PS. Only use Distilled Water! If adding water..;)

How cold of temps will your bike see? I too, use engine ice, but more for it's great cooling and protection. It's a little pricy, at about $12-$15/half gallon. I had to buy 2 half gallons and only used a small portion of the second jug.
rvtjonny put up the service manual: I'd use it for the system flush if that's what you're going to do. I sure would if I were putting in a new type of coolant in a new-to-me bike.

btw, I used dexcool the first time, cause that's what I had. I checked the manual and it didn't specify anything special, just a 50/50 blend of quality antifreeze. I ran it troublefree till my funds freed up a little and then switched to Engine Ice.

50/50 blend of quality antifreeze is great for street , but when i do track days , i use water wetter

50/50 blend of quality antifreeze is great for street , but when i do track days , i use water wetter

:confused: Ummmm, you're stating the obvious. OP said he's in new england. And that it's colder there. Probably a lot colder than where we live in CA. I didn't read ANYTHING about track days, cause I dont believe water wetter has any anti freezing quality's?

:confused: Ummmm, you're stating the obvious. OP said he's in new england. And that it's colder there. Probably a lot colder than where we live in CA. I didn't read ANYTHING about track days, cause I dont believe water wetter has any anti freezing quality's?

Gee Ward, don't you think you are going a little hard on the Beev???:D:eek:

You need to only use motorcycle approved anti-freeze that is free of silicates. Standard automotive glycol is loaded with them and will destroy the seals in the water pump.

You need to only use motorcycle approved anti-freeze that is free of silicates. Standard automotive glycol is loaded with them and will destroy the seals in the water pump.

I lucked out then. I just checked if Dex-Cool has silicates and this is what I found:
Dex-Cool (ethylene glycol) is identical to the Chrysler & General Motors factory fill. Havoline had the original patent on Dex-Cool and manufactures it for GM. The benefits of Dex-Cool are:


Lower alkalinity
Contains NO silicates, resulting in longer lasting water pump and engine seals; longer shelf life.
It is Nitrite-, borate-, phosphate-, nitrate- and amine-free.
100% biodegradable in its pure unused condition.
Longer lasting (Dex-Cool has been shown to remain above 95% of its original concentration after 150,000 miles in automobiles)

http://www.getahelmet.com/jeeps/maint/dexcool/

thanks guys, it gets cold here in CT. sometimes close to 0 degrees, i'm not riding in that weather but i store my bike in a garage thats not heated - i'm just going to pick up the pro honda coolant thats already mixed and ready to go.

I lucked out then. I just checked if Dex-Cool has silicates and this is what I found:
Dex-Cool (ethylene glycol) is identical to the Chrysler & General Motors factory fill. Havoline had the original patent on Dex-Cool and manufactures it for GM. The benefits of Dex-Cool are:


Lower alkalinity
Contains NO silicates, resulting in longer lasting water pump and engine seals; longer shelf life.
It is Nitrite-, borate-, phosphate-, nitrate- and amine-free.
100% biodegradable in its pure unused condition.
Longer lasting (Dex-Cool has been shown to remain above 95% of its original concentration after 150,000 miles in automobiles)

http://www.getahelmet.com/jeeps/maint/dexcool/

Since it's ethylene glycol based, it is toxic to animals and people (esp. small ones).

it is toxic to animals and people (esp. small ones).

So don't let your kids drink it...

thanks guys, it gets cold here in CT. sometimes close to 0 degrees, i'm not riding in that weather but i store my bike in a garage thats not heated - i'm just going to pick up the pro honda coolant thats already mixed and ready to go.

(pro honda coolant) good choice :D