What is the liquid cooling system in a motorcycle? What is inside liquid cooling? How does a liquid cooling system work in a bike? What are the benefits and problems of the liquid cooling system? Liquid cooling system vs Air cooling system, which is better? What are the differences between air-cooled and liquid-cooled bike engines? Does liquid cooling evaporate? Find all these answers.
What is in a Liquid Cooling System?
This type of motorcycle engine utilizes a water-based liquid to cool the engine. But that is not in the form of the regular water. Don’t expect the water in any form, either hard, soft or tap water. Instead, it uses a special alcohol that contains coolant. It helps restrain freezing and rusting or oxidation. The built-in system in the engine lets the coolant circulate through passages. There is a mounted radiator and the coolant goes through it. It ensures that the coolant receives running airflow to lower its temperature. In this process, it circulates again and is able to work efficiently.
This system is also known as the water-cooled engine. Basically, it depends on the liquid which is a mixture of water and a coolant. Previously the constructors used to utilize pure water to cool it. Currently, they use a water-coolant blend with a mixed in a 1:1 ratio. Indeed, the ultra-modern motorcycle models have a closed-water cooling system. They actually use a cold and pressurized cooling system. Thus the water’s boiling point goes past 110 degrees Celsius. And this does not let the water evaporate fast and thus works longer. With engine components getting hotter, they pass the heat to water. However, a cooling fan keeps the temperature in control by decreasing it.
What are the Advantages of Liquid Cooling System?
There are many advantages you will be offered by a liquid cooling engine. Such as:
Balanced Cooling: This system ensures that each cylinder is equally cooled. Engines that have multiple cylinders, would have the convenience. Such it can eliminate the overheating-related issues.
Improved Fuel Efficiency: With efficient controlling of the engine temperature, the engine consumes less fuel. So, an improved fuel efficiency alongside a low chance of engine damage.
Reduced Water Loss: In the closed water cooling system, with a high boiling point there is little loss of water through evaporation. Thus, the engine is able to provide supreme performance.
Enhanced Thermal Efficiency: It ensures better thermal efficiency of the engine thanks to a well-maintained and controlled engine temperature.
Overall Optimum Performance: It maintains performance and high speed for performance. Overall, it’s the best cooling system used on bikes.
What are the Disadvantages of Liquid Cooling?
There are some cons of this cooling system:
- It comes with a complex design.
- The maintenance is also not easy.
- The overall production cost is a lot higher. It’s because of additional components like water pumps and thermostats. The design complexity plays a role in this reason.
What is the Difference between Air-cooled and Liquid-Cooled Motorcycles?
| Liquid-Cooled Engine | Air-Cooled Engine |
| Uses liquid to cool the engine. Previously pure water but currently a mixture of water and a coolant. | Uses the air that hits the engine during the bike’s movement to cool the engine. |
| Works perfectly fine even during during high revving and longer rides. Doesn’t overheat easily. | The engine would overheat during high revving and longer rides. |
| Works for a longer period of time. | Generally, stays without being overheated or issues for a shorter period of time. |
| The production cost is higher but the used technology is much more advanced. | The used technology is a bit backdated but is sufficient for general usage. The manufacturing cost is lower. |
| Able to provide the ultimate best performance. | Would provide sufficient performance but for intense riding can’t be that good. |
| Suitable for high-performance or sports bikes. | Appropriate for commuter bikes which don’t go through much stress. |
Is Liquid Cooling Better than Air Cooling in a Bike?
Liquid cooling is the best cooling system for motorcycles. It’s not only better than an air-cooling system but also for oil-cooling or air-oil-cooling systems as well. However, for budget issues, the other options might be enough. But if you want intense riding, the ultimate performance, and ride a high-performance bike, then there is no alternative to the liquid-cooling system.
