Should a Water-Cooled Motorcycle Be Filled with Water or Antifreeze?

[McKarter]

Water-cooled motorcycles should be filled with antifreeze. It is essential to use high-quality antifreeze for water-cooled motorcycles, as adding water can cause rust and corrosion in the radiator and engine. If water is used, over time, scale will gradually form inside the cooling system, becoming thicker and thicker. This reduces the volume of the water passages and slows down the flow of coolant, which affects the dissipation of engine heat, leading to increased engine temperature, reduced power output, and shortened engine lifespan. Introduction to Antifreeze: The full name of antifreeze should be antifreeze coolant, meaning a coolant with antifreeze properties. Antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing in cold winter conditions, which could otherwise cause the radiator to crack or damage the engine cylinder block or head. Anti-Corrosion Function: Engines and their cooling systems are made of metals, including copper, iron, aluminum, steel, and solder. These metals, when exposed to water at high temperatures for extended periods, will corrode and rust. Antifreeze, on the other hand, not only prevents corrosion in the engine cooling system but also has anti-corrosion and rust-removal properties.