Newb caught the Motorrad Bug! If you had a choice....

[Abidingguy]

To stick with an older, air/oil cooled hexhead bike or a newer, water-cooled boxer GS, which would you choose and why? This isn't another "which is better, air v. water cooled thread;" I'm just trying to really educate myself beyond any biases I hold on this topic.

I ask because it is wicked hot here in South Texas, and although I swore years ago I'd never own a air-cooled bike here, fate thought otherwise! I really, really like my '09 GS, but the ambient heat and the heat from the engine when not moving is a concern.

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[r0ckrat]

I can only say, go test ride one, and then make your own choice.

 

[lee]

I can only say, go test ride one, and then make your own choice.

I think this is the best was to know what he'll like best.

 

[88bmwjeff]

Apart from figuring out which one you prefer riding, there are other things to consider. There are some benefits to each.

If you prefer to work on your own bike and cash is an issue, then a Hex/Camhead may be the better option.

If you don't want to work on your bike, then the newest possible bike (aka Wethead) would probably be the best option, since many dealers will not work on bikes older than 10 years.

If you're in stop and go traffic a lot (which you commented is an issue), the Wethead might be a better option.

FYI, I chose a Wethead, because I'm not ready/willing/able to work on my bike and I wanted the water cooling for stop and go traffic.

 

[lee]

If you don't want to work on your bike, then the newest possible bike (aka Wethead) would probably be the best option, since many dealers will not work on bikes older than 10 years.

Out of curiosity, what maintenance items are more difficult on a Wethead? Changing a shim for valve adjustment might be more difficult but it's not unusual to go 60,000 to 70,000 miles before needing a adjustment. Checking the valves, everything is out in the open and easy to do. Same for the spark plugs.
Air filter looks easy on the GS.
The Wethead will have a coolant change but that does not need to be done often.

 

[riderr1150gsadv]

The coolant change on the Wethead is a very simple operation and I did both my brother's bike and mine and it took no time really. There are some very good videos on Utoob in this and other maintenance pertaining to the Wetheads and other bikes as well.

IMHO, if you ride a bike one should be able to perform some basic tasks and not run to a dealer all the time. I knew a guy who would go there to get his tires checked and didn't own a tire pressure gauge!! I gave him one and since we don't ride together anymore I can only hope he uses it.... YMMV

 

[oldcamper]

Air cooled bikes have never roasted me in summer like some water cooled machines have, but liquid cooling is probably better for motor longevity in hot stop and go traffic.

 

[lee]

Air cooled bikes have never roasted me in summer like some water cooled machines have

Most of our bikes were K Bikes, see my signature. We were never bothered with heat on those bikes but thought we might notice heat on our feet when we bought the 2016 R1200RSs. We were surprised our feet did not get hot in the summer but we also did not get cold feet in cold weather. I guess the jugs protect our feet from wind chill.

 

[88bmwjeff]

Out of curiosity, what maintenance items are more difficult on a Wethead? Changing a shim for valve adjustment might be more difficult but it's not unusual to go 60,000 to 70,000 miles before needing a adjustment. Checking the valves, everything is out in the open and easy to do. Same for the spark plugs.
Air filter looks easy on the GS.
The Wethead will have a coolant change but that does not need to be done often.

My point wasn't that it's more difficult to work on a Wethead, but rather the decision of many dealers not to work on older bikes. For those who choose not to work on their bikes, it could be more difficult finding a qualified mechanic.

 

[chadhargis]

I've never owned a water cooled boxer, but I've owned an airhead, two oilheads, and now a camhead. I have an affinity for the air cooled machines. I'm sure when my current bike reaches the point where it's cheaper to buy a new (to me) one than fix the one I have I'll end up getting a water cooled one.

 

[Abidingguy]

Apart from figuring out which one you prefer riding, there are other things to consider. There are some benefits to each.

If you prefer to work on your own bike and cash is an issue, then a Hex/Camhead may be the better option.

If you don't want to work on your bike, then the newest possible bike (aka Wethead) would probably be the best option, since many dealers will not work on bikes older than 10 years.

If you're in stop and go traffic a lot (which you commented is an issue), the Wethead might be a better option.

FYI, I chose a Wethead, because I'm not ready/willing/able to work on my bike and I wanted the water cooling for stop and go traffic.

I’m not afraid of doing basic work on my machines, like swapping out a rear shock. One of the things I really like about my ‘09 is that it’s essentially devoid of electronics and appears to be much easier to work on when compared to newer models; and thus more likely to be reliable.

But the heat is an issue for me as previously described. To be completely honest though, it’s not like I’m commuting every day on the bike.

 

[r0ckrat]

There are already many wetheads with over 100k miles of needing nothing more than normal maintenance. There are a few known issues (some had premature cam lobe wear, and some have had driveline issues which are now a covered by a new service schedule.)

They really aren't hard to work on, and the modern electronics have not had many failures that I'm aware of. There are plenty of resources for reference on DIY maintenance and repairs, and two options for accessing the diagnostics (GS911 or dongle+MotoScan app.)

I have only noticed heat being a problem in stop-n-go on hot days when the fan is kicking in more often - the air direction brings the waste heat under the motor to my feet. (Hot days = 85+F) Over 45 mph I have not noticed a heat problem form the engine (95+ weather is a different story, but not engine related heat issues.)

There is one chap in Australia that figured out how to repair the 2-position clutch microswitch rather than replacing, with close to 100k miles at the time of his issue, and IIRC he has never had to adjust valves, but has had 2 driveline failures in that time.

 

[dduelin]

Internal combustion engines create heat in the normal course of producing power. Whether circulating air/oil or circulating coolant carries off the heat doesn't make a lot of difference in engine heat produced - BTUs are the same. The difference is how the motorcycle in question heats the rider. My airhead and hexhead are among the coolest riding bikes I've owned. Engine heat has just not been an issue here in the Deep South. The hottest bikes I've owned were 100% liquid cooled and the heat off the radiator was not directed well away from the rider. I would try and wrangle a ride on a wethead or newer before assuming they are cooler.

 

[Abidingguy]

Internal combustion engines create heat in the normal course of producing power. Whether circulating air/oil or circulating coolant carries off the heat doesn't make a lot of difference in engine heat produced - BTUs are the same. The difference is how the motorcycle in question heats the rider. My airhead and hexhead are among the coolest riding bikes I've owned. Engine heat has just not been an issue here in the Deep South. The hottest bikes I've owned were 100% liquid cooled and the heat off the radiator was not directed well away from the rider. I would try and wrangle a ride on a wethead or newer before assuming they are cooler.

Interesting take, thanks for the input sir.

 

[milo]

Agree with dduelin, generally my liquid cooled bikes put more heat to the rider than the air cooled bikes I have / had (Harley Twin Cam being an exception). But in stop and go traffic a liquid cooled motor benefits from all that heat being transferred to the rider.