Cooling System Maintenance - 2008 RSV

[cwtart]

I want to service the cooling system on my 2008 RSV - I bought it last fall with about 21k miles on it and I have put about 1600 miles on it since. I do not know what previous maintenance was done on it and I figure the cooling system should be at least flushed after 12 years. I have the factory service manual but from what I have seen there might be easier ways to do things than the manual suggests.

 

Questions:

 

1. how often to do a flush? what number of miles or what length of time?

2. what to flush with?

3. should I replace the radiator cap?

4. should I replace the thermostat?

5. recommended coolant?

6. anything I am missing?

 

The bike runs fine and does not overheat but I want to keep ahead of the game.

[XV1100SE]

I do my coolant every 3 years. Have had the bike 10 years and have not changed the cap or thermostat...

 

As for what coolant to use... (I use the Prestone 50/50 mix)

https://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?84331-coolant

https://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?136643-Recommend-coolant-for-motorcycles

 

Might want to skim thru this thread on maintenance :

https://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?116678-Quick-initial-maintenance-question-for-new-RSV-owner

[BlueSky]

Seems the bike manual only states use coolant compatible with aluminum. It doesn't say anything about using the green stuff or the 5 year coolant?

[M61A1MECH]

I want to service the cooling system on my 2008 RSV - I bought it last fall with about 21k miles on it and I have put about 1600 miles on it since. I do not know what previous maintenance was done on it and I figure the cooling system should be at least flushed after 12 years. I have the factory service manual but from what I have seen there might be easier ways to do things than the manual suggests.

 

Questions:

 

1. how often to do a flush? what number of miles or what length of time?

2. what to flush with?

3. should I replace the radiator cap?

4. should I replace the thermostat?

5. recommended coolant?

6. anything I am missing?

 

The bike runs fine and does not overheat but I want to keep ahead of the game.

 

Read this post from VGoose, it is quite good.

https://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?37353-Some-Tips-on-Changing-the-2nd-Gen-Coolant

[N3FOL]

I have an '07 RSV and I've only done my coolant change once and that was in 2013. I know I am due for another one soon, so I am planning to do it sometime this Fall. At 60K miles, it is good preventative maintenance. The last time I did my coolant, I used Prestone coolant/anti-freeze.

[XV1100SE]

Changing the coolant is almost as easy as doing an oil change.

And...if removing the tank to refill with new coolant....check/change plugs

[N3FOL]

Changing the coolant is almost as easy as doing an oil change.

And...if removing the tank to refill with new coolant....check/change plugs

I agree. It literally takes longer to remove all the parts to get to the coolant drain plug and then reinstall all the parts.