cwtart Posted August 25, 2020 Share #1 Posted August 25, 2020 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XV1100SE Posted August 25, 2020 Share #2 Posted August 25, 2020 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSky Posted August 25, 2020 Share #3 Posted August 25, 2020 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M61A1MECH Posted August 25, 2020 Share #4 Posted August 25, 2020 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N3FOL Posted August 27, 2020 Share #5 Posted August 27, 2020 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XV1100SE Posted August 27, 2020 Share #6 Posted August 27, 2020 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N3FOL Posted August 28, 2020 Share #7 Posted August 28, 2020 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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