Liquid Cooled Vs. Air Cooled Engines

As engine generates mechanical power and waste heat energy at the same time, they need cooling to prevent them from over heating and break down. There are two types of engines i.e. air cooled and liquid cooled engines. Liquid cooled engines use a mixture of water and other chemicals like anti freeze and rust inhibitors.
While some other, liquid cooled engines do not use any water but special fluids with enhanced properties like ethylene glycol. On the contrary, air cooled engines use air but no water or other chemicals to cool themselves. Liquid cooled and air-cooled engines are interdependent as most liquid cooled engines use some amount of air to cool over heating and air-cooled engines use liquids for cooling down.

Basic Advantages & Features:

• A motorbike with liquid cooled engines is smoother and more resistant to breakdown than air-cooled.
• A liquid cooled engine produces more power/torque than an air-cooled one.
• A liquid cooled engine, since cooled by liquids, maintains a better control temperature.
• Air-cooled engines are fuel efficient, affordable and require lesser engine space than that of liquid cooled engines.
• The Maintenance costs of liquid cooled ones are higher than air-cooled engines.
• Liquid cooled ones are easy to operate (better riding experience) but certainty of liquid spilling out is high.
• Air-cooled engines are nosier and somewhat harsh than liquid cooled engines.

Although liquid cooled engines are quite good as regards cooling, power and efficiency people prefer air-cooled engines because of their cost efficiency, fuel efficiency and low cost of maintenance. However, if you wish to avail more powerful and torque then opting for liquid cooled engines are a good deal. In simple words, go for  liquid cooled engines if you need more power and air cooled engine for more mileage.