Does it really make that much of a difference?  I am looking at something around 1600 - 100 cc's in stop and go traffic.  I also live in Florida, so it gets pretty warm.

Any thoughts?  

I've owned two air cooled motorcycles and I've never had any trouble with overheating.  I used to commute with my last bike so I've been in plenty of traffic with it.

Some of my buddies went across Arizona during a heat wave.  I think they said the highs were around 130F.  Two of them were riding air cooled bikes, and they never had any trouble either.  

My current is air cooled, but it is not that large.  Did not know how bikes with larger CI's/CC's tend to be.  Thanks.  

I don't think it makes a difference in bikes over heating. I have air cooled and have ridden for hours without a problem. The only difference is that the engine tends to give off more heat when it is air cooled. this is a comfort issue because my bike does tend to get hot between the thighs when I am riding. My next bike is definitely going to be liquid cooled.  

I'm riding an 07 Ultra Classic H-D and have ridden on days in excess of 100 degrees with no heat related issues except thighs becoming well done in the process. Living in the South and riding Harleys I can tell you that the combination of heat and heavy traffic will make a Harley rattle a bit (valves). Personally I will move to a Liquid cooled bike again.  Had a V-Rod and liked the bike for what it was built for, fun in short bursts. It would be nice if Harley built a V-Rod Tourer.  

Air cooled bikes are like sharks. They need to keep moving to keep cool. Most bike rallies have overheated bikes. Not because there's a defect, just because the bikes got into something they weren't designed to do.
Water cooled bikes have pumps, radiators, and fans to move the heat away, even at idle.
The other piece of information is that with restrictions in emissions, most bikes WILL be going either active oil/air or water cooled.  

What about reliability?  Would it be safe to say that since an AC engine has less parts, it would be more reliable?  

Air cooled doesn't necessarilly mean fewer moving parts.  After all, a water pump and a thermostat are the only moving parts needed for a liquid cooled engine.  I think you would find that more modern liquid cooled engines are probably more reliable (not stating this as a fact but In my experience air cooled engines are some what more finicky then liquid cooled one). Reliability counts on too many variables to point to cooling type as a major point.


edited: ooops  

HI;  I prefer water cooled. Just because it is not affected by the cold or hot as much as air cooled bikes. The heat between your legs doen't seem as hot. Might just be me. The air cooled bikes have been around longer than water cooled. I wouldn't be to concerned one way or the other.  If you plan on being in heavy trafic I would get a water cooled bike. Air has to be moving over the fins of the cylinders to keep the oil and engine cool. Hope this helps...scrufy..  

Lots of heavy traffic in Florida...get's pretty nasty in the summer.  

Hi All, I've seen in a number of articles stating that eventually all motorcycles will be liquid cooled because of emission issues, but didn't come right out and say that air coold engines pollute more than the liquid cooled engines. Surely with all these rides going on, someone has had a hard time riding behind a "less than pleasent smelling bike" and if what I've been hearing is true, that stinking bike would have been air cooled. ...Just wondering.  

Go with liquid cooling;it's more adaptable to all riding conditions.Both Harley and Triumph have gone with it in thier new designs and the *** have used it for years. Air coolng is old tech...spend your money wisely.  

1) Modern bikes made with modern alloys are fully capable of surviving the hottest weather without seizing.

2) The reason bikes may all end up liquid-cooled is NOT for emissions reasons but because of SOUND regulations.  A liquid-cooled engine is louder than an air-cooled one.  By reducing engine noise, a manufacturer can increase the exhaust noise and still meet the necessary requirements.  

tano01,some people buy bikes because of the SOUND.others its about perfomance.some buy because of the way they look on the bike.others buy because their woman likes that particular model.but back to the topic.air or water.ive had afew of both.currently i have 3 water-cooled bikes.i think they have more longevity than air cooled.but thats just my opinion.  

I have a Star 1100, air cooled and live at about 6000 feet elevation in the desert of central Mexico, and frequently ride to higher elevations, never had a problem.  The occassional heat off the motor in traffic is no worse than sitting in the sun wearing all your riding gear.  In the local club, there is a mix of both, I've never seen a problem with either.  The mechanics tell me its just personal preference.