Can I make it to 100K miles?

[david_s]

I'm not one for spending all weekend polishing my GS - i'd rather be riding - but i'd like this one to last for 100K miles. Has anyone got any advice/experience of where I should be cleaning/greasing/protecting if I were to put a little bit of time into protection...? I'm talking externally applied grease/cleaning and not stuff to do at services.

 

[Mr K]

I'm not one for spending all weekend polishing my GS - i'd rather be riding - but i'd like this one to last for 100K miles. Has anyone got any advice/experience of where I should be cleaning/greasing/protecting if I were to put a little bit of time into protection...? I'm talking externally applied grease/cleaning and not stuff to do at services.

Dunno. But I'm aiming for 100k miles too.

 

[The smudger]

Basic rules apply. You don't need to be polishing all weekend!!!

I have a mate on here who has a 2006 GSA, never polishes it but does clean and ACF50 it regularly, at nearly 40k mls there is NOT ONE spot of corrosion on it, at all.

A lot of people blast their bikes with a jetwash, not a good idea, especially if there is salt/dirt all over it, all that does is blows the salt into places it cant get out of, so the rot sets in....

I would remove the front engine cover to expose the belt (4 Tx screws) cover the engine casing in ACF50, as well as the front of the cylinder barrels and heads......

As an interesting point, I bought an ex police 1200RT with 50k mls on it. They NEVER clean their bikes properly, I removed all the fairings when i got it and used a good de-greaser then hosed it off, like new underneath! 4 years of road grime and dirt had protected the paint etc!

 

[david_s]

I'd heard that over-cleaning is as bad as letting it rot in a bess-pit, so I'm not surprised the dirt kept it like new... I'll take your advice on the ACF50

 

[chad]

Apply ACF 50 to stop the corrosion always remove the road salt with cold water from hose not jet wash, and regular general servicing and preventative maintenance 100k peice of piss

 

[david_s]

Wow - a genuine 100K! That's *so* cool!

 

[captain ken]

100k

hi lads, my 1200 has 41k on it i bought it in 09 with11k on it,i clean it every time i go out and have it well serviced ,just come back from a 200ml ride in the dales. i,m letting it cool down then wash n polish her

 

[chad]

Wow - a genuine 100K! That's *so* cool!

it was moved on at 115k and by all accounts going strong still . after asking the owner the secret of its longevity is rely was he thrashes the tits of it but it never wanted for anything interms of maintenance

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Mine 06 ADV is at 77k and climbing fast. I use FS365 regularly and give it a blast at my local Iraqi car wash a few times a year whether is needs it or not. Just had the wheels re powder coated and the rear sub frame needs a spruce up but not much more

Maintainance is top notch and she runs like a dream. I'm hoping for 150k out of her.

 

[Devon]

I'd heard that over-cleaning is as bad as letting it rot in a bess-pit, so I'm not surprised the dirt kept it like new...

That's news to me.

Some people take pride in the fact their bike looks like a shit pit and then wonder why they can't sell it after a couple of years or get half of what the bloke gets who did look after his M/C gets.

Are you seriously saying you are so busy living your life and riding your M/C you haven't got 15 minutes and a bucket of warm water to give it a clean once a week/fortnight/month?

 

[david_s]

That's news to me.

Are you seriously saying you are so busy living your life and riding your M/C you haven't got 15 minutes and a bucket of warm water to give it a clean once a week/fortnight/month?

Nope - I can/will do what it takes, but my good old land rover has shown that whether I wash it or not (except for the aesthetics of it) it doesn't make much difference to the long term cleanliness i.e. I can give it a good wash and as long as I have protected the sensitive parts with grease and other suitable protection, it will come up looking very good. Dirt doesn't seem to be harmful. It's more important to stop corrosion and keep it well serviced I suspect.

 

[david_s]

I'd like to add that despite my muddy bravado - I have spent a good hour washing and cleaning after the latest week long touring session

 

[original_concept]

With all the rain, washing just got a whole heap easier this week. Leave it outside for a few hours, dry off and polish.

 

[philhunt88]

No reason why you shouldnt get 100k out of it (i expect to see that on mine by the time im done) ive never been one to polish a bike but i do clean them and use acf50 (or other variants)

As a maintenance engineer by trade i would recommend just making sure you keep on top of things, see something not quite right sort it asap. Make sure you keep it serviced well even if you do it your self, just fresh oil can keep an untouched gear box going for years longer.