Are Air Cooled Motorcycles Reliable?

[@Buddycoop1]

I have two air cooled Hondas. I keep the synthetic oil changed often and that's good enough. No need to worry about extra parts that water cooled has.

[@wiltondexplorer]

My Suzuki Smash 115 air cooled, drove it one time for I think 16hrs., but rested myself the day after. Didn't break down, that includes traffic here in the Phils. and break time for myself. Proper maintenance is the key.

[@Team-fabulous]

I have a Moto Guzzi, big old air cooled V twin, it's got about a trillion miles on it so.. The answer is yes...

[@AlexSimmons11c]

Hahaha hell yes. Trillion mile club.

[@angelnokare6906]

Does it handle summer heat well? I want a V7 motoguzzi but I worry it would melt when I take a long summer ride to the seaside

[@pinoywheelgunner]

My 175cc Kawasaki Barako will run at 60-80 kilometers per hour (just perfect for Philippine roads) for hours at a time with no problem. I just need to stop to hydrate. I will break down before it does.

[@andrewhannam.]

As many 80's and 70's air cooled motorcycles running around! YES!

[@AlexSimmons11c]

Hahaha built to last!

[@jasongraham3488]

The way I describe it to people is, what happens to a liquid cooled engine when you run it without coolant? Fails. So why doesn't an air cooled engine just commit suicide? Its because they are engineered to dissipate their heat without needing liquid, they don't need the extra complexity, because they were designed to not need the extra complexity. I'm in Florida, and I have 2 issues with my bike. Cooling system problems and carb problems. My next bike WILL be air cooled and either one carb or zero carb.

[@AlexSimmons11c]

Very well said Jason, thanks for putting it that way haha

[@ctkinstley]

Exactly why I purchased a 2020 KLX230

[@larrycashion752]

If you keep good oil and filters and well tuned air cooled is the way. Also stay within the limits of the bike. I don't ride when it's 115 degrees outside, either

[@subodhmahobe6913]

Hi Alex. Today Honda launched a new CB350 motorcycle in India and I just fall in love with it but Air cooling system was the big question for me. Thanks for the review with the big examples.

[@AlexSimmons11c]

Cool thing to hear about, I would love to see them bring that here to the U.S., but I doubt it would ever happen haha. Thanks for watching Subodh!

[@srijibdutta5081]

You have cleared my doubt. Thanks a lot. Love from India

[@JohnnyRebKy]

They are as reliable as the owner. I've had 2 Harley's for 17 years and never a single issue. Air cooled will get hot sitting still for a long time no matter what brand it is. No air flow no cooling

[@AlexSimmons11c]

Absolutely correct

[@FXFBS540]

Modern harleys will turn off the rear cylinder and let it function like an air pump when it gets too hot sitting in traffic. If really hot itll run hit or miss with the front cylinder as well trying to keep cool. Its mostly for rider comfort.

[@AlexSimmons11c]

VERY interesting to know! My older Buell models had a rear cylinder fan to try to fix that, thanks for sharing!

[@ClassicRider]

Hi Alex - I drive a Honda 750. I got her in 1979. She was the Anniversary Model. I happened on your video hoping to discover expected engine case temperatures. Discounting for the heat wave, I has a Pizza Oven Temp Gauge that sits between the Clutch and Stator Coil Housings. It can read 220+ f using 10W50 - after running on the highway -

[@MagicRoosterBluesBand]

My experience has been that over 30c/90f the air-cooled engine will run too hot and overheat. Same with my air-cooled VW. However despite the limitations the engines are very reliable.

[@MaineMachinist]

During WWII they would trade 1 captured German Kubelwagen for 2 US Jeeps because the air cooled Kubel ran better in the Sahara Desert There’s zero percent chance a properly running Aircooled VW overheard at 90F

[@observingrogue7652]

I deliver food with a 2stroke motorized-bicycle. I don't know if it's my long intake, or what. But I'm already having cold-start issues riding in the rain at 13 degrees Celsius. I'm about to wrap the engine with a fire-resistant blanket, until I can make an enclosure for it to control it's temperature with a grill vent, and a battery powered heater for the intake manifold to help the gasoline vaporize for easier starting. There's no starter motor, I have to pedal up to speed, engage the clutch, and crank the engine with my momentum. I'm getting an e-bike kit for the rear wheel, to help crank it, especially when it starts snowing. But I just want to learn more about how aircooled engines handle freezing temperatures. And what are the signs of overheating?

[@hazimreitz]

I have an air cooled 150cc engine, that thing went through 100% throttle more than like in traffic just because it's an itty bitty engine and staying on highway speeds is struggling. Never broke down or overheat ever and the only time it had me worried was when I didn't realise the fuel was empty on a freeway with "not sure if I can get to the next gas station" kinda worry. Air cooled bike is reliable except for a selected few which doesn't exist anymore practically and getting a water cooled vehicle has its own set of problems as well.

[@lawrenceong8501]

Loved your intro Dude! Keep up the good work!

[@AlexSimmons11c]

Hahaha Thanks Lawrence!

[@gabrielwalker421]

I rode from Northampton, England to Galashiels, Scotland (300 miles) on a 2002 Air cooled Vespa ET4 125 at over 75% throttle most of the way and then commuted 1 hour almost everyday to Edinburgh at mostly WOT (8000-8500RPM) for about 2 months. I have also had a 2007 air cooled Piaggio 125cc engine drop an exhaust valve and blast a fat hole in the piston, completely destroying the top end including the sparkplug. This had nothing to do with the engine being air cooled, but the scooter had 8 previous owners and had some signs of being poorly maintained and was probably run lean for a significant proportion of its life. If the oil and all the filters (oil/fuel/air) are changed at the correct intervals and there is no knocking, detonation or extreme amounts of soot while the engine is running, there is no reason why an air cooled engine should not be capable of as many miles as a liquid cooled one.

[@raymondgarafano8604]

Are they better with oil coolers that can be used during the summer? as if used in winter, will not allow the engine to run well due to too much cooling, also the love buns cooling fans. can the be a big help during traffic?

[@AlexSimmons11c]

Cooling fans can be helpful on bikes where at least one cylinder doesn't get good air flow, a lot of times a V-twin will have a fan on the rear cylinder for that reason. Otherwise the oil cooler is just a design choice I find...Ive had bikes with and without and they've all worked well so...

[@jasongraham3488]

There is an outfit that makes fans called "Love Jugs" lots of folks have them on the heavier twin cams (FL's) around here. Haven't seen anyone have them on m8s but they advertise improved cooling and I haven't seen them on any Evo mother's either.

[@raymondgarafano8604]

@@jasongraham3488 I had a few beers too many, called up H-D, said my wife was outa town for a week an do u guys have any love jugz?

[@ELCLAVE300]

I have a 1992 Suzuki GS500. I want yo ride it from California to Texas. So it is good to know that my air cooled will make it.

[@AlexSimmons11c]

Absolutely, people have been riding air cooled motorcycles across countries and around the world for decades!

[@mrRufffnTumble]

I used to have a 96 gs500, its actually in my pfp, it was dead reliable, bike ran lean from having aftermarket pod filters and exhaust and I never had an issue. Absolutely great bike. I have a aircooled ducati now and it gets hot even in minor traffic. I'd say you'd be fine

[@ethanmacheras5967]

Thanks man, that was helpful!

[@sathishrao7926]

There’s a US company that still makes tons of 1000 pound Cruisers/Baggers with Air-cooled V Twins with a capacity of 2 liters ! Not sure if you’re going to vouch for the reliability of its motorcycles 😉

[@AlexSimmons11c]

Hahahahaha ;-)

[@hugo8851]

Einstein said: things must be built as simple as possible but not any simpler. The only reason manufacturers have switched to liquid cooled engines in the las few year is to comply with recent government emissions regulations.

[@tp6498]

Hi Alex, got a question for you pertaining to a certain brand of motorcycle that I can't seem to find an answer to anywhere. Would it possible, and if so would it be too costly to be worth it, to convert the air cooled engine of a Ural CT to a liquid cooled one. I'm thinking about purchasing one so that my wife can accompany me on rides comfortably but I'm concerned about everything I've heard about their tendency to overheat easily. Thanks.

[@chrissy.p.2562]

im currently looking into the CB1100RS but i live in Thailand so its giving me a lot to think about as iv never owned a air cooled but many liquid

[@thetruechannellaverdad4986]

Hi, I just bought a 2009 yamaha v star 1100. I'm in florida, and I'm worried about the air cooler engine temperature . Thank you

[@אביבכהן-ש5ט]

What about the single cylinder air cooled SWM? Do you have any experience with it?

[@John.Paulis]

What’s your opinion on the 2022 Honda trail 125?

[@christieevans1886]

My 2006 street bob was half the bike on the highway that my 93 shadow is

[@AlexSimmons11c]

Interesting hahaha

[@kcdmine3635]

Tell me bro best fork oil atf or hydrolic oil, if hydrolic whats best guage for road bike for oil ?

[@ilijazivanovic3698]

Are air cooled motorcycles whit a shroud and a fan or naked cooling fins better

[@AlexSimmons11c]

I prefer just a naked design with the fins, classically this has been a proven design choice for sure. That being said I also have owned a couple of bike such as my Buells that had rear-cylinder fans and they worked just fine as well. I think it's just a difference in design choices.

[@ilijazivanovic3698]

@@AlexSimmons11c As far as i know for 2 stroke motorcycles shroud and fan is better

[@Hicklifecountrytellidie]

I have an air cooled dirt bike and works great not as fast as liquid cooled but I like cause I have 4 legs fur babies don't want them to get in coolant

[@AlexPtc89]

I have a yamaha xj600s from 1996. Its a very rattly engine but goes no problem

[@billgonzales8978]

my friend has a air cooled harley with 100,000 miles on it? is it reliable?

[@Unknown-kd3ri]

Earned a like 10 seconds in just for being real.

[@cvee2614]

Good video Alex. On my 2014 V STAR 950, several trips to Colorado from St Louis, >20K miles. That thing is built like a tank...never had an issue.... I run 20W50 synthetic motor oil and regular gas, comfortable, amazing bike.

[@thiagolamor8546]

What about daily short trips in the city, like normal stops between traffic? I'm considering to buy the 2012 V Star 950 but that aspect is stopping me to decide.

[@jhonbjornlodbrok7745]

Todays bike are more reliable but the bikers today seems gotten soft,they'll always find something to complain,as long as you can still afford to fill up your tank,be thankful.

[@DJRTP]

Some Ducati 170hp engines are air cooled

[@deepangshuchandra6123]

I am planning to buy a honda hornet 2.0 which is 184cc which is air cooled. I will mainly be riding mostly in and around cities and occasional highway ride. Will air cooled engine be a problem in the long run, considering its a honda motorcycles?

[@vishalr4724]

only in traffic

[@peteman2861]

No worries, pls keep idle in traffic or switch off.

[@ericwilliams626]

You weren't focused on the true variables of this question that people need to know. It's not a question whether they will work it's a question of whether extended riding conditions and hot weather will increase failure in air cool versus liquid cool and of course the make and model. Those are the variables not whether air Cool works we know it works. Otherwise why would they even offer liquid cooled?

[@AlexSimmons11c]

My apologies for not explaining well enough then, thank you for the feedback. I was trying to make the point that air cooled will work fine over extended periods if properly engineered, liquid cooled engines have the distinct advantage of being able to be pushed much harder for extended periods, i.e. companies can get MUCH more performance out of a liquid cooled machine reliably. Thanks again!

[@nickotoka]

@@AlexSimmons11c liquid cooled are less reliale than air/oil cooled. In the air cooled the worst case is the heat hawl of the engine but the engine will start again normally after it cools down a bit. It is very difficult to reach that point though. I abused my MG once to this point in a VERY hot day (40C) with 2 hours constant 1st gear and 20km/h speed at most. It didnt hawl but when i stopped the bike it did 30min to start again.

[@renatorealesjr.703]

Can you please compared Honda Click 125i(liquid cooled) and Suzuki Burgman street 125 (air cooled scooters?

[@aldrinjoaquinaquino3652]

hindi nila. kilala ung honda click hahaha.. ung burgman lang ang internationally known

[@doyoueatrocks]

Reliable as heck

[@smith4686]

RE Interceptor 😍😍

[@AlexSimmons11c]

Yessir :-)

[@monstercakevlogs6353]

I have ? Why it mine smoking then white smoke what rong its does a lit off and on

[@Udodisgustme]

Hi, not a native English speaker here. Shouldn't it be called "liquid cooled" instead of "water cooled"? "Water cooled" just sounds so wrong.

[@joshinthecity]

Kawasaki W800 Cafe. For the win

[@BaiMoto24]

Air cooled motorcycle oil recommendations?

[@shibumitra649]

Long distance drive any problem air cooled engine????

[@AlexSimmons11c]

I have never had an issue with long rides on an air-cooled motorcycle! Just make sure to keep it maintained like any bike should be, and as long as it is a well-made bike from a good manufacturer it will be fine!

[@cvee2614]

I rode a Yamaha 650 twin from St Louis to Daytona Beach and back back in 1981. My ass was numb when I got there but the bike was fine. My current VSTAR 950 is much smoother on the road and more reliable with ceramic cylinder liners and fuel injection, over engineered IMO. Only thing you'll have to do is change tires every 6K miles, oil and filter.

[@gorkzop]

My my xt600e from NL to Sweden 1200km one day. No problem at all

[@nugrohokun640]

Air cooled is simpler...easy to maintance and fix...even better if the engine has a oil cooled too...and air cooled is cheaper...

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

As seen from the video, you also fish a lot. Just look at all those rods behind. :)

[@AlexSimmons11c]

Haha I used to, those behind the bike were mostly my dad's old rods actually haha.

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

@@AlexSimmons11c Riding a bike and fishing, this is a new niche activity for these day. :)

[@outlawpat8038]

Xr400r 🤙🏼😘

[@1990-t1j]

Of course they are.

[@operamatthew]

yes

[@billgonzales8978]

oh hell no Harley has been around for how long?

[@aghamuzammil6655]

yes air cooled bikes are releiable example: honda cd 70

[@migojolo2933]

How long can I ride on max speed before my air-cooled engine explode?

[@nickotoka]

Your engine will not blow. In the worst case scenario i will haul and it will start again after it will cool down. In a long trip constantly on max speed, i don't know maybe in a couple of hours i guess. It depends on the motorcycle of course.

[@elixier33]

Lose the music

[@MarkMasters83]

🤔When someone explains and gives info about something and from time to time while talking tends to look away. I start thinking like a girl and i know he lying

[@26johnbeat]

I will never touch a air cooled bike again HEATTTTTTTTTTTT