just a thought on engine noise compared from water cooled to air cooled

[tc862011]

no issues with this but it was just a thought after hearing this phrase again after hearing it many times 'air cooled bikes have more engine noise then water cooled' what does this mean, is it true and why is it

[tkent02]

Nothing you'd notice going down the road, there may be more noise at idle, little clanks and bangs and things. No big deal. Cooling fins transmit noise into the air, a water jacket absorbs noise. Really there's not much difference.

[tc862011]

thanks for the quick answer, i figured it was something more at idle. like i said i dont have any noises that throws question up from my bike, but as i read through posts when i am bored i have seen this plenty of times just wanted to see what was mean behind the comment lol

[Steve]

Besides the fact that the fins will radiate some noise, you should know that, because water-cooled engines run more consistent temperatures, they can run tighter tolerances. That means the pistons won't be slapping around inside the bores as much, making them quieter to start with, then the water jacket absorbs some of what does get out, resulting in a relatively quiet engine.

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[tc862011]

i was figuring that because the water cooled engines has more material to the engines that they would deaden noise. it was just one of those thought that i wanted to throw out there and see what it brings up

[1980GS1000E]

I think that most of the noise is from the cam chain. The newer motors use a quieter chain. My old CB900F was air-cooled and was almost dead silent at idle. It used the quieter type of cam chain. Two, actually.

[Steve]

I have never pin-pointed any noise sources on my bikes, but will say that Honda was concerned about noises on the GoldWing when they introduced it, then refined it a few times over the 36 years that it has been in production. Not only is it water-cooled, it uses rubber belts to drive the cams. Definitely a quiet arrangement, but requires a bit more maintenance (replacement every 100,000 miles). Fortunately, you don't have to split the cases to change a belt.

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[robertbarr]

it uses rubber belts to drive the cams. Definitely a quiet arrangement, but requires a bit more maintenance (replacement every 100,000 miles).
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Yeah, that 100k maintenance has to be a real crippler.

What's that work out to for you, about once every ten weeks or so?

[recycled64]

He wishes.

[Steve]

Yeah, that 100k maintenance has to be a real crippler.

What's that work out to for you, about once every ten weeks or so?

Nah, with my current work schedule, it's at least twelve.

You do the math: it's a 2000 Wing, has 180,000 miles showing on the odometer. Does it get ridden much?

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