My manual says to avoid coolant with silicate inhibitors as they "can cause premature wear to water pump seals". Is this something worth worrying about and tracking down somewhere that actually carries such coolant?

 

Well, you will get a lot of opinions about coolant, but Prestone extended life for Cars make an okay coolant. I used it for my last riding season, but I noticed that my running temperatures were up about 3 degrees higher than when the old coolant was in the bike (I am assuming original Honda coolant).

Here is a good thread on the Prestone coolant:

LINK

Although, since I changed to Engine Ice, I figured that I just didn't get out enough of the old coolant when I flushed and changed the coolant last year to the Prestone. There could have been a large enough amount of the old coolant that mixed with the new coolant that altered the cooling properties.

Engine Ice is good, but try to get as much of the old stuff out with whatever you use so you can achieve the maximum cooling properties as possible.

Use whatever the manual states is safe for our bikes (silicate free and safe for aluminum engines) and you will be okay with whatever brand you choose.

 

Yes on the silicates. Don't use them. Any coolant that says safe for motorcycles is usually silicate free, check the label to be sure. Use a 50/50 mix according to the manual.

I also use Engine Ice, cools a little better. I drain and then run a bunch of distilled water through until everything comes out both drain holes clear.