acceptable coolant for BMW KRT 100

[pinhead]

Can you use regular Prestone antifreeze in a 1985 bmw krt 100?  I know bmw sells a special coolant it recommends.  Was wondering if there is any difference.

[Laitch]

I know bmw sells a special coolant it recommends.  Was wondering if there is any difference.

BMW recommends not only its coolant but also any extended- or long-life coolant without nitrites—according to the attached specifications in its Riders Manual.

There's a chemical composition difference among Prestone formulas. Prestone Conventional isn't long-life. Prestone Concentrate is.

[F14CRAZY]

I change my coolant often enough so I stick with using whatever's on sale

[Martin]

About the cheapest OEM part is their coolant, so I go genuine. I even use it in the wifes car. You can get from car dealers as well as motorcycle dealers.
Regards Martin.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Virtually every modern engine is similar to our bricks in coolant requirements.  I have used NAPA and Peak long life coolants on an annual change basis in my three bricks with no issues.   I just buy the cheapest brand name coolant and do the change when I'm doing the rest of the fluids. 

We have a dehumidifier so I have unlimited distilled water, and I do a distilled water flush as part of the coolant change.  With the miles these bikes have accumulated and often unknown service histories, an annual change and flush isn't a bad idea to get any residual crap out of the system.   

All my bikes run cooler now than when I got them.

   

[pinhead]

thanks for all the input!

[stokester]

I follow Snowbum's advice.

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/k-coolant.htm

[Laitch]

I follow Snowbum's advice.

That's good advice to follow, for sure.

[Revrdmark]

I use "water wetter" and distilled water on my track bikes and modern bikes. Motorcycle water pumps spin faster than cars and the lubricants in auto coolants ironically can damage the shafts. Water wetter makes my speed triple run about 10 degrees cooler than any motorcycle coolant I've tried. I don't know why. I have heard it does something to keep the  water in contact with the parts and dissipate the heat better. Whatever it does it seems to work for me. ( I'm just proud of myself for not using the word " thingamajig" in this post...Dangit!)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Laitch]

I use "water wetter" and distilled water on my track bikes and modern bikes. Motorcycle water pumps spin faster than cars and the lubricants in auto coolants ironically can damage the shafts.

It's just like Big Moto to recommend coolant that will ruin our water pumps so we'll need to buy more from them. The veil masking their deceit has been lifted from my eyes.
:yippee:

If it weren't for the -25ºF temperatures here, and that I have 0 track days on my schedule from now until the lighting of my funeral pyre, I'd drain that Stockholm Syndrome-driven 50:50 coolant/distilled water mix from my radiator, hunt down those cynical suits, and pour it all over their Armanis.

[katsawa]

Hello,

It seems this thread is quite dead for a long time but i have a question about a coolant to use in my '91 k100 lt.

In my country there are not a lot of posibilities apparently and i found one, following Snowbum's advice here: http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/k-coolant.htm.

This is the one:
MOTUL MOTOCOOL FACTORY LINE

And in it's specifications it says:
no nitrites
no phosphates
no borates
no silicates
no aminas

However, it is premixed (i think) since it says "Ready to use".. This is why I need an opinion on this one :)

I think my bike's coolant was not changed in a while (at least few years) and i plan to also do at least one flush with only some distilled water before 'intalling' the new collant.

Do you think it is a good idea?

[Lbxpdx]

I just did mine on my K75 and I used Zerex G-05.  It’s the same stuff I put in my Benz and my 240 Volvo. 

[Laitch]

In my country there are not a lot of posibilities apparently and i found one . . .
This is the one:
MOTUL MOTOCOOL FACTORY LINE
However, it is premixed (i think) since it says "Ready to use".. This is why I need an opinion on this one :)
Do you think it is a good idea?

It will work well.  Flushing the engine is good strategy. Follow BMW handbook or shop manual instructions for filling and for bleeding air from the coolant system when you refill with the Motul.

[stokester]

Agree with Laitch.
In the US you usually buy coolant that needs to be diluted, usually with 50% water (distilled recommended) while the "Ready to Use" has already been diluted and can be added directly from the jug. Be sure to add it slowly and "burp" to remove any air bubbles.  Check after a good ride.

I have always followed Snowbum's recommendation on flushing with boiling water and have seen the particles removed from the system.

** edited for clarity

[katsawa]

Thanks a lot for the answers!