Coolant change 650 AL2

[paulo]

I'm planning to do a coolant change on my 650 AL2. I've no problem raising the tank etc, but it looks like the body cowl has to be removed in order to properly access the radiator cap. Is there a simpler way than having to do this, if not how easy is it to remove the cowl? Would you recommend flushing the cooling system or not bother (I'm going to use the same type and colour of coolant but not Suzuki stuff). Cheers

[Barbel Mick]

I managed to do mine with everything in place. It was a bit awkward to fill it but you can do it.   
I didn't flush mine, maybe I should have?? 

[UK_Vstrom650]

How much coolant do you need for this? I'm guessing more than a litre?
Can anyone recommend a good long life coolant from somewhere posting the stuff? Once I've tidied the man cave, I'm planning on having a go at the valve clearances... 

[Megashorts]

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_search?s=coolant

Take your pick! A couple of litres of the stuff? My daughter's SV650 takes 1.85L. RTFM :-)

[endintears]

I swapped to 5yr life red OAT type first time I did a change, just need to make sure to flush all the blue stuff out as they're not compatable.
Filled it with this diluted 1:1 when I did my service a few weeks ago.
https://www.commaoil.com/productsguide/view/6/298
Well known brand, cheap and readily available.

[Chris]

Haynes book says 1,7 l engine + radiator &  0,25l reservoir

[ipod]

Just done mine, though the bike was in bits and had no plastics on it, so filling the rad was easy.
It used about the 2L as stated mixed at 1:1
Don't forget to get all the air out before you put everything away and button it back up.

[UK_Vstrom650]

Cheers folks 

So rinse with de-ionised water, dilute 1 part coolant to 1 part de-ionised water (if using concentrate), and expect to put in 2 litres (1 litre of each) without trapping air. Sounds like something I should be able to do 

[endintears]

Unless you live in an area with exceptionally hard water I'd just flush with stuff from the tap.

[UK_Vstrom650]

 

[endintears]

If you download the service manual and look under Periodic  Maintenance it describes in some detail the procedure including how to bleed the air out of the system.

[porter]

All I done with mine, Veek 1000, was fill the rad slowly till top, let it settle a bit, top up a few times then fit the cap, take the bike of the stand, sit on it and shake it about side to side for a few minutes, put it back on the mainstand, remove the cap and top it up, refit the rad cap and fill the expansion tank to the max. That way if it takes  a wee bit from the tank you don't  need to fill it as on the thou its a bugger to top up. Mine took 2 litres by the way.

[UK_Vstrom650]

Cheers fellas. I'll read the service manual and do similar to you Porter too