changing antifreeze

[newtriker]

I want to change out the antifreeze in my 1500 goldwing motortrike. What kind do I use? Honda people say it has to be from Honda, but others say it doesn't matter what kind to use. Any suggestions on what to use and where to get it? Thanks, Steve

[Paul06Trike]

Before owning my present trike I owned a 1993 GL1500 Goldwing and like you I decided to change my Antifreeze. I put in Prestone and shortly after I had to change the water pump. Apparently the Honda water pumps don't like any other antifreeze other than the one made by Honda. From experience use the Honda brand. The pennies you save with the other brand will cost you a water pump and more money and downtime in the end. Good Luck!

[ThirdWheel]

A lot of antifreeze contains silica, which will cause water pump failure in the Honda, because the close tolerances and materials it is constructed with.
Stick to the Honda brand or be sure of the contents of anything else.

[John Luciano]

I bought the kind you can drink. No cheaper than Honda but it is environmentally safe for Animals and My Honda dealer is FAR away from here,,,,any silica free antifreeze is Ok. . Can't have any Stop leak stuff in it either.

[John Luciano]

Thirdwheel I sent you a PM , for the others I use Texaco Havoline extended life coolant antifreeze. black Gallon jug Silicate and Phosphate free

[carbco]

I found the most cost effective way to get the Honda Antifreeze is to buy it from a Honda Car dealership. Lots cheaper than a MC shop and is the same stuff. Just my findings <img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" class="inlineimg" />

[slick rick]

In my opinion , the few dollars you save will cost you in the long run .I was the same way about CAT motors only use their oil and fuel filters (their very proud of 'em too )....

[07BlueCSC]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>John Luciano</strong>
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<div class="message">I bought the kind you can drink. No cheaper than Honda but it is environmentally safe for Animals and My Honda dealer is FAR away from here,,,,any silica free antifreeze is Ok. . Can't have any Stop leak stuff in it either.</div>

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</div>The environmentally safe for animals means they can drink twice as much before it "KILLS" the liver.

[Ozarkryder]

As mentioned, it is the silica in coolant that kills bike parts. Any good silica - free antifreeze should do the trick. A buddy that rides a VTX and works at a Honda car dealership said get the Honda anitfreeze from the parts department at the Honda auto dealer. It is much cheaper from that car dealer. He told me if you read the label and make sure it is the silica free stuff it is the same as you get at the motorcycle shop, the "special formulation" at the bike shop is just the different ink from which the label is printed.

[scribe5]

I use the Honda brand in my VTX 1800 and will use the same in my new to me Goldwing trike. You can get a good deal online and it's only a once every two years or so thing.

[Teal]

like Ozark said.
my bike had Prestone for many yrs and no problem. Most are now safe for bikes.