Detailed Comparison of Front-Mounted and Side-Mounted Water Cooling Systems in Water-Cooled Motorcycles
Water-cooled motorcycles water cooling system can be divided into front-mounted and side-mounted cooling systems. But what exactly is the difference between the two, and how do they affect the bike’s performance? This article provides a detailed explanation.
Firstly, front-mounted water-cooled motorcycles usually have the cooling fan installed directly in front of the engine, just behind the front wheel. In contrast, side-mounted water-cooled motorcycles typically place the radiator on the side of the engine.
The next difference lies in the structure,particularly in the cooling fan design. For front-mounted water cooling systems, an electric fan is installed behind the radiator and activates automatically once the engine temperature reaches a certain level to reduce the coolant temperature. In side-mounted systems, the cooling fan is directly mechanically driven by the engine’s crankshaft.
In front-mounted water cooling systems, the main radiator is located in front of the engine, allowing for a larger radiator and greater exposure to incoming airflow. As speed increases, the airflow through the radiator also rises, providing efficient heat dissipation and ensuring stable engine performance at high temperatures. Therefore, this design is particularly suitable for long periods sustained high-speed riding.
The side-mounted water cooling design is relatively limited in performance. Its primary advantage lies in its lower cost, since it eliminates the need for an electric fan and instead uses a crankshaft-driven fan. However, during extended riding, inadequate cooling efficiency may lead to reduced engine performance. This type of cooling system is commonly applied to small-displacement motorcycles, usually under 150cc.
