Teapot 1 has recently put out a video about bike cleaning and highlighted issues with the wheel rims. Is this typical? Is it a common problem with these bikes (and others?) Fast forward to 7mins 50secs for the comments:
1300 wheel degredation
- Thread starter Andy B
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My 2008 GSA had the paint bubbling on the wheels. BMW used to replace the wheels free. No fault paint defect.
And they were ceramic coated which makes you wonder what has been used.
i avoid all this angst .
by not having an expensive bike , further helped , by cleaning mine 2-3 times a year , whether it needs it or not .
( my mates wife , not me )
by not having an expensive bike , further helped , by cleaning mine 2-3 times a year , whether it needs it or not .
( my mates wife , not me )
As someone who is taking delivery of a GS with gold wheels shortly, I would be interested to know what you clean your wheels with please?
Realistically how many 1300's will do that mileage in the first 10 or 15 years ? BMW like every other manufacturer are only really intrrested that the bikes get out of initial warranty period with no major issues
Not like the older GS, my 1150 is 21 this year and still as good as new, finish wise
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Get some Vulcanet wipes, they’re brilliant for cleaning the entire bike, and won’t hurt the finish
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Ive got black rims on my 8 year old GSA and use Sdoc cleaner, needs working with a paint brush but works great on wheels and calipers. Follow that up with vulcanet wipes and leaves a good finish and also a clean of the wheels when its not blathered.
Rims get a thin coating of Acf50 in october along with the rest of the bike, i leave it all on until the salts off the road. It looks a dogs breakfast by the end but once cleaned its spotless underneath including the rims.
Personally i'd always go with a ph nuetral cleaner whatever i used, but thats just me.
I have gold wheels on a ‘23 r1250 GS.
Cleaned with SDOC 100 and Simonez Wash and Wax. And then a rub over with Turtle Wax Shine & Seal. Yes I know I spoil her. No matting, bubbling, rust or anything else.
Cleaned with SDOC 100 and Simonez Wash and Wax. And then a rub over with Turtle Wax Shine & Seal. Yes I know I spoil her. No matting, bubbling, rust or anything else.
Nothing special, I just stay away from the harsh chemical cleaners that are out there. I like Chemical Guys products as they are relatively mild but do the job well. I certainly wouldn’t use an aggressive wheel cleaner that removes brake dust as these can be very damaging to surfaces. A chap I sold a bike to years ago ran a fleet of vehicles for a large estate agent. He showed me a car that was 12 months old that had regularly gone to the local hand wash franchise. The paint and other surfaces were in a right state. Paint was faded and black plastics were the same. He put it down to the chemicals they used. This is my go to stuff.
https://chemicalguys.co.uk/products/citrus-wash-gloss
I had a 1250 with gold rims for 5 years and my 1300 is now 2yrs old and never had an issue, having said that all my mileage is done in the fair weather months.
I just use Autoglym uhd shampoo and use a microfiber cloth rather than a sponge on the wheels ,used it for years on my bikes and cars.
I just use Autoglym uhd shampoo and use a microfiber cloth rather than a sponge on the wheels ,used it for years on my bikes and cars.
I concur.
the wheels are anodised finished aliminium
They mention powder coating in the video I'm sure
Last 4 years I have used Bilt Hamber PH Neutral cleaner and agitate it with a small brush if needed. No degredation to the rims
https://bilthamber.com/product/auto-wheel/
BMW do their own
https://www.bahnstormer.co.uk/product/bmw-wheel-rim-cleaner-500ml/
If you are putting on any pre wash or grime remover, need to check it's acidity....and no harsh scrubbing
Everyone has their favourite product
They mention powder coating in the video I'm sure
Last 4 years I have used Bilt Hamber PH Neutral cleaner and agitate it with a small brush if needed. No degredation to the rims
https://bilthamber.com/product/auto-wheel/
BMW do their own
https://www.bahnstormer.co.uk/product/bmw-wheel-rim-cleaner-500ml/
If you are putting on any pre wash or grime remover, need to check it's acidity....and no harsh scrubbing
Everyone has their favourite product
I've used the BMW wheel cleaner mentioned above on many makes of bikes with excellent results
Then I discovered a Halfords wheel cleaner in a very similar bottle.
It even turns the same colour as the BMW cleaner when it reacts with dirt.
Don't fall into the trap. Although it has not adversely affected the BMW rims, it has removed the chrome off my Yamaha S10 spokes when I left it on too long!
Mike
Then I discovered a Halfords wheel cleaner in a very similar bottle.
It even turns the same colour as the BMW cleaner when it reacts with dirt.
Don't fall into the trap. Although it has not adversely affected the BMW rims, it has removed the chrome off my Yamaha S10 spokes when I left it on too long!
Mike
So.... I did start watching this video but I do find his video's a bit tedious to be honest.... however, it seems to me is that "Pete" used a product on the wheels and screwed up the wheels.... well done Pete! 
Moral of the story, don't use Pete, Don't waste money on ceramic coatings, rinse off your bike when it gets crappy. I absolutely disgree about the comments about ACF50, but what I would say is that there is no point covering the whole bike in it.... I just use it on soft alloy parts that easily corrode and fur up...... in over 20 years of using ACF50 I have never had a problem.
Moral of the story, don't use Pete, Don't waste money on ceramic coatings, rinse off your bike when it gets crappy. I absolutely disgree about the comments about ACF50, but what I would say is that there is no point covering the whole bike in it.... I just use it on soft alloy parts that easily corrode and fur up...... in over 20 years of using ACF50 I have never had a problem.
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