Hey there, my 2012 ZX14R is coming up on 30k miles, and I know the service manual says to change coolant around this time. Unfortunately I'm low on money right now and need to prioritize my rent. Do you think I will be fine for another 5k miles? When did you change your coolant first? Are they coolant/spark plugs intervals as strict as they make them out to be? I don't ride hard, I mostly just cruise. Any help is appreciated, thank you.

I know someone who never changes anything but oil and he owns a 2006 ZX-14. Everything still works. It might work a little less better than it could after all those years but it works. There are other parts that deteriorate over the long run too. All you can do is replace them as needed.

I would definitely not worry about exceeding the suggested time period for parts replacement by a few thousand miles of you need to. Rent's more important. Just don't wait too long. You never know what accelerated wear to other parts will happen by neglecting basic maintenance for very extended periods of time. Change the spark plugs soon. I waited 44 thousand miles on the spark plugs. The engine still ran fine but maybe it would have run better if the plugs had been changed as recommended.

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* Last updated by: Rook on 7/18/2024 @ 5:27 PM *

Well that's good to know! Especially the spark plugs. 7.5k per interval is pretty quick for how much I ride, so I'm glad nothing crazy will happen if I wait a bit longer. I usually try to stay on top of maintenance, right now I'm just a bit down on my luck. I only have my ZX14R and my Indian Scout Bobber for my daily's. No car. So I want to make sure they are tip top so I don't have any issues. Thanks again.

Been there. I'm glad I hung onto my bikes through the ten financially difficult years I had. Well heck, I just came out of a lean year six months ago but everything's ok now. I just bought a brand new 14R! I plan to fix up my crashed Gen1 and I'm keeping that too! Having some kind of luxury is a human need and valuing those luxuries builds character.

Keep in mind coolant/antifreeze gives "corrosion", "freeze" and "lubrication" protection.

If you're saying the coolant is 12 years old+, yes, I'd change it.

I use Engine Ice and I flush/change annually.

* Last updated by: piken on 7/19/2024 @ 9:46 AM *

The first time I flushed and changed coolant was 11,500 miles after running the bike for a year and a half. I change the coolant every two years now but I only put about 500 miles on each bike in a year. Yeah, if this is the first coolant change, I'd do it as soon as you're able just to be safe. I mean, if you check it with a tester and it shows the anti-freeze strength is good, the coolant strength is good too and the corrosion protection. Best to flush the cooling system out regularly though and replace that old coolant.

The manual shows coolant change at 3 years or 22,500 miles which ever comes first.

I got it from a used dealership. They say they do all maintenance (fluid changes) if it's on the manual before they sell it. I would hope they changed it, but I can't be sure.

1991 Honda ST1100 manual just for grins:
Coolant change every two years. Inspection for leaks/cracks/ect. every 8000mi.
Spark plugs every 8000 miles. And that's a carb bike.

I don't know what's needed to get at the radiator cap. If it can be reached with minimum access, pull the cap and check for corrosion under the radi cap. May show it was never changed from first owner. As far as my take on corrosion, it is better it's running than sitting for 30yrs (ST) and eating out, plus cracking radiator hose mounts.

That too means to empty the reserve container. As far as thinking squeezing hoses while push the air out, it may help if you see it move at the filler neck. But I found that it will suck at the reserve tank, and lower it a few rounds before it levels off.

I'd keep an eye on that because it will take a good 80mi round trip or two to suck what it needs out of the reserve. Check when cold.

I was able to get my coolant changed for half the price due to a new service member at my local shop misquoting me! I feel much better knowing its done and it didn't totally destroy my bank account.