| Antifreeze

Coolant for motorcycle - Qualified selection at top prices at ATO24

Which motorcycles need a coolant? - The question is answered quickly, because in the motorcycle it behaves the same as in all other internal combustion engines: If your machines has a water-cooled engine, you also need coolant for your motorcycle.

Coolant is the fluid that circulates inside the engine to protect it from heat and frost. The coolant consists of a portion of coolant, colloquially also called antifreeze, antifreeze or rust protection, and a portion of cooling water.

We explain to you what the differences are in the coolant on motorcycles, which coolant is suitable for your machine and when it is time to change the coolant on your motorcycle.

Coolant differences between car and motorcycle

There is no actual difference between coolant in cars and coolant in motorcycles. As you go along, you will learn that coolants for motorcycles are classified according to the same specifications as coolants used in cars. 

For all coolants, a distinction is made between different basic bases. In the beginning, coolants were based on ethylene glycol [EG]. These coolants have excellent cooling properties, but are also very toxic.

A more environmentally compatible and less toxic further development led to the use of polypropylene glycol [PG]. It is less toxic and exhibits better heat transfer, allowing engine temperatures to be kept low throughout.

Coolants of these two types are grouped together as inorganic coolants when they use silicate as a corrosion inhibitor.

As the most recent development, organic coolants are increasingly being used in modern cooling systems - regardless of the car or motorcycle. They are characterized by a longer service life. However, they have the disadvantage that they are not compatible with the seals of older vehicles. These coolants do not use silicate for corrosion protection, but other effective organic acids.

Motorcycle coolants by manufacturer at a glance

The coolant manufacturer Glysantin is known to carry a compact product range, which at the same time is able to meet the requirements of very many automobile and motorcycle manufacturers. This is reflected in several recommendations for use and very many approvals from vehicle manufacturers. In addition, Glysantin is one of the few manufacturers that explicitly recommend their products according to motorcycle manufacturers.

Below you will find the Glysantin product to use and at the same time the specification according to the Volkswagen coolant standards, into which the Glysantin standards can be translated. If you follow the link, you will find products from other manufacturers that can be used.

When is it time to change the motorcycle coolant?

Most motorcycle manufacturers recommend changing the coolant about every 2 years or around 38,000 km to prevent corrosion that can cause wear. This is because the fresher the motorcycle coolant is in the cooling system, the more effectively it can cool the engine and, above all, protect it from overheating.

How do you find the right coolant for your motorcycle? If in doubt, we can help!

We explain how to be sure and reliably find the right coolant for your machine, using a Suzuki GSX R125 as an example:

In the vehicle manual of the motorcycle there is a reference to the manufacturer's own Suzuki coolant. This is often the case and at first it is not clear which coolant can be used equivalently if no Suzuki coolant is at hand.

For this purpose, there is always an additional indication. In our case, the manual also refers to the use of a coolant based on glycol. This can already narrow down the range of possible coolants. Accordingly, a coolant based on ethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol can be used. However, care should also be taken to ensure that the coolant is compatible with the installed aluminum radiator. For us, this means the following:

Generally, a common coolant could be used in this case. Any proper coolant is based on a glycol base. Ultimately, the only difference will be whether the coolant works with silicate or not. The descriptions of the products will also state whether the coolant is compatible with an aluminum radiator. This information should then be taken into account in this example.

As a precaution, the old coolant should always be drained and the new coolant poured in. This prevents chemical reactions from occurring and also guarantees the best cooling properties.