Anyone NOT got corrosion on the swingarm?

[FatBob]

To cut a long story short, my 2008 GSA has corrosion on the end of the swingarm around the axle hole, and a bit around the screws for the mudguard. The swingarm (or at least this end of it) is less than 1 year old since I had it replaced under warranty already for corrosion in exactly the same place.

Now BMW are saying they won't replace this one because they think I have either used an inappropriate cleaner or there is some lack of maintenance. I would dispute both of these, unless they think proper maintenance means not riding in the winter, keeping the bike spotlessly clean at all times and storing it in a garage with a dehumidifier running 24x7.

I think the majority of 1200s (GS or RT) that I have seen on the road have had exactly the same corrosion on the swingarm. This can't be coincidence. My bike had a good coating of ACF50 and spent most of last winter in the garage because of all snow and ice, and it still corroded! How much more maintenance does it need?

Has anyone who rides all year managed to avoid the corrosion? If so, how?

 

[TheWarlock]

No. Chest plate and swingarm both corroded. '06 GSA

 

[Engineer]

To cut a long story short, my 2008 GSA has corrosion on the end of the swingarm around the axle hole, and a bit around the screws for the mudguard. The swingarm (or at least this end of it) is less than 1 year old since I had it replaced under warranty already for corrosion in exactly the same place.

Now BMW are saying they won't replace this one because they think I have either used an inappropriate cleaner or there is some lack of maintenance. I would dispute both of these, unless they think proper maintenance means not riding in the winter, keeping the bike spotlessly clean at all times and storing it in a garage with a dehumidifier running 24x7.

I think the majority of 1200s (GS or RT) that I have seen on the road have had exactly the same corrosion on the swingarm. This can't be coincidence. My bike had a good coating of ACF50 and spent most of last winter in the garage because of all snow and ice, and it still corroded! How much more maintenance does it need?

Has anyone who rides all year managed to avoid the corrosion? If so, how?

Never had any corrosion on my 2005 1200GS and rode at least once a week every winter. Used Autoglym bike cleaner, sometimes a bit of WD40 on the front engine cover - but never did anything special other than washing it after it had been ridden on salty roads, dried it, polished it and put it away.

When I traded it in, it was in almost showroom condition after 45,000 miles.

 

[JPB]

No corrosion on my '04 GS, ridden throughout winter.

 

[wilbjr21]

Had four of them ........ no corrosion except for the '05 one that had it's front cover changed under warranty.

 

[Zed3]

Had 3 1200GS - no corrosion on swingarms. All ridden through winter and kept outside.

'04 some corrosion on alternator cover and frame, '06 the same, '09 OK so far!

 

[Mr K]

No corrosion on the swingarm 2004 model with about 52,000 miles.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

To cut a long story short, my 2008 GSA has corrosion on the end of the swingarm around the axle hole, and a bit around the screws for the mudguard. .............

Do you mean the paint is blistering/bubbling

If so, no probs on an '05 46,000 miles.

Andres

 

[Colin Brown]

No corrosion or paint blisters 05 GS

 

[Sherrif]

05 GS ridden all year round untill I retired in June

No corrosion he says touching wood

 

[wully]

No corrosion on my 08- ridden all year round ( but not a lot in the winter)

 

[Bones]

My 06 is ridden all year and rarely washed. It has corrosion everywhere, but hey it's only a workhorse and I'll get a new one (or something else) when this one stops working.

My 2001 Mille is immaculate

 

[Slowdown]

3 years, 35000 miles ridden all year - no corrosion here.

Washed regularly

 

[elevensies]

little bit of corrosion, but nothing as bad as my 1100,

i have no corrosion on the airhead though no a jot

 

[FatBob]

Never had any corrosion on my 2005 1200GS and rode at least once a week every winter. Used Autoglym bike cleaner, sometimes a bit of WD40 on the front engine cover - but never did anything special other than washing it after it had been ridden on salty roads, dried it, polished it and put it away.

So wash, dry and polish every time you use it is NORMAL? I commute to work by bike so I ride most days except when its icy and i don't have time for all that on a daily basis.

 

[Engineer]

So wash, dry and polish every time you use it is NORMAL? I commute to work by bike so I ride most days except when its icy and i don't have time for all that on a daily basis.

Every time it gets salt on it, yes - otherwise once a week if it needs it. During the winter, sometimes I won't bother with the polishing bit, but ALWAYS wash off the salt, it only takes 5 mins with the hose, so is not that much of a chore.

It says in the Manual to wash salt off - it is common sense anyway. Salt water is highly corrosive, what more can be said - if you want to keep your bike looking good then you have to wash it - simples!

I commute on the bike most days also.

 

[mr badger]

Mine's fine. The hollow spindle bit is a little manky but cleans up ok.

Only real corrosion is to caliper bolts and the odd fastening.

But will be having a very thorough going over before the 2 years warranty is up.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Mine is fine driven all through the winter and hardly washed but then I had ACF50 all over it.

 

[dazchallenge]

Mine is fine driven all through the winter and hardly washed but then I had ACF50 all over it.

Me too .

If its cleaned with a recommended/appropriate cleaner on a regular basis and then treated with ACF50 from my limited experience it will not rust, it's not cheap but it is really really good stuff!.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

little bit of corrosion, but nothing as bad as my 1100,

i have no corrosion on the airhead though no a jot

You've only had it 3 weeks..................give it time