Water Cooled

Water Cooled

Why are some bikes water cooled? Looking at Suzuki 800, why water cooled? Which is better?

Thanks, Ric
ChinaRic1@yahoo.com

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Water Cooled

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Jun 16, 2009

Water Cooled
by: Anonymous

Water cooled engines weigh more (the water) so they produce less power per pound of engine than air-cooled. The constant temperature of a water-cooled engine allows designs that produce fewer emissions. Water cooled engines are also reported to last longer than air-cooled.

Jun 16, 2009

Water Cooled
by: Anonymous

Since water cannot get hotter than 212F (unless pressurized) water cooled engines run at lower temperatures than air-cooled. High temperatures break lubricants down, so water cooling, theoretically, allows an engine to last longer (assuming all other features are identical).

Water cooled engines run at a constant, limited temperature while air-cooled have much more thermal variability. Consequently, water cooling allows the engines to be designed to reduce emissions.

Alternatively, water has weight, so air-cooled engines tend to have more horsepower for their weight than their water-cooled counterparts.

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