Filling whilst the engine is running with the correct mix, yes
The hose leading to the engine is not HARD (as in rock hard) , you can push it in with your fingers (and burn your fingers on the exhasut as a result) so I guess that would be squishy ?
Under those conditions, the amount that one can squeeze the hose with reasonable force is about the thickness of the hose.
Were you getting more than this?
Are you using antifreeze or straight water?
Cooling pressure test requires special test equipment. You could buy it (about$120) to do yourself or take it in to a shop that can do it for you.
sounds like an air lock in the system somewhere probably in the top 2" of the radiator common for a sealed system if you knew what the capacity was you could keep track of your additions it may take some time to work the air space out 50/50 anti and water would leave residue somewhere if it were leaking out water may evaporate but the antifreeze won't.
The radiator has a bleeder valve ontop so I will anyway bleed the system for airlock after fitting the new radiator cap. I am sort of convinced that water vaporised through the radiator cap when under pressure.
Just for info : Kawasaki South Africa qouted me $40 for a new cap, waiting time 6 weeks. I bought it aftermarket from bike spare shop (brand new, EXACT same specs) for $6.
When you say vaporized, you could be partially correct.
When a cooling system does not build pressure, the boiling point is lowered.
When that happens, you can sometimes get spot boiling at engine hot spots and the steam will escape at the cap to the recovery bottle. Sometimes it can be seen as bubbles in the recovery tank with the engine running.
This will result in a loss of coolant overall.
If the cap does not fix the problem, the cooling system will have to be pressure tested.
Be sure and use the Kawasaki recommended water/antifreeze mix in you system.
Feedback : After fitting the new cap and bleeding the system for a possible air lock, used the bike to work this morning. (65 km, mostly highway, but congested as always with many idiots in cars). Ave speed in the congested areas (bikers lane relatively open) 80 km/h, and on open sections 120 km/h. Bike felt better, not as hot as the past few days. At work, the rubber hose of the radiator leading to the engine felt MUCH harder as definitely not as squeshy as before. Will check water levels tonight.
Time will tell.....
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