Ok, since I'm pulling the fairing today, I might as well go ahead and do a coolant change. A couple of questions for the gurus:

- The service manual says a 1:1 mix. Is that the best for the SH in warm to hot climates (Tampa)? I ask as I've observed quite a swing in the temperature gauge based on idle/stopped in traffic vs. normal riding.

- Of course the manual specifies Honda HP coolant (or similar spec). What's the consensus on coolants for the SH? Will off-the-shelf, buy-it-at-WalMart stuff work, so I don't have to mortgage one of my wife's bikes?

- I haven't done a coolant change on the SH before, and the manual seems straightforward on the steps, but any tips or issues to watch out for?

Thanks!

 

I have heard that its a good idea to use distilled water with the antifreeze - any decent brand should work fine... water wetter or a similar additive does seem to help the cooling system work a bit more efficiently.

 

Yeh, I'll be doing the standard 1:1 mix, coolant and distilled water, unless there is a better recommendation..

 

On the same subject...
What coolants can be used on the track? They say distilled water only but I think I heard Water Wetter is approved too.
Is Water Wetter sufficient for regular street use too or should I change back to coolant after every trackday?

 

I just changed my coolant and after researching on here and the manual, I decided to buy prestone extended life, as it is allegedly free of silicates and other junk. I bought the orange stuff since it said "prestone extended life" as their website had.

 

Well if you are in a place that never freezes, water + water wetter works best. (track or not) However the first freeze will break things.. So you probably should add some antifreeze, and at the recommended mix for that antifreeze.

 

I think any of the "extended life" A/F's out there will work, IIRC you want to stay away from the "old" style green ones (with silicates?). I work at a Caterpillar dealer, so I run Cat's extended life coolant.

 

I run straight 15 year old Irish Whiskey in my radiator and never runs hot in Florida!

 

ive been using 1:1 atifreeze/distilled water for now. im most likely going to switch to engine ice though. i use that in my dirt bike and it works considerably better. that and its a cool blue color. but with engine ice, i compared it to my uncles dirt bike which is the exact same bike but he was using antifreeze/distilled water and mine was noticeably cooler.

 

Engine Ice FTW! I noticed a drop of 30 degrees in temp. My fan doesn't come on as quick as it used to and cycles less.