Corrosion : yes or no ?

[SMcGirr]

There's a lot of stuff on this forum and elsewhere of corrosion problems on boxers. Is it a small minority or is it really a big deal ? My GS LCTE doesn't have any yet for the record but it's garaged and ACF'd and just a year old.

Is there a clever mod that can put up a voting option so we can see the extent of the problem ? There are apparently 6,500 ish GS's on the road in the UK so I will only begin to worry when I see 650 of those with serious problems.

Mod : over to you

 

[Nutty]

Ridden through 2 winters, NO ACF50, but rinsed off after every ride on salty roads, and not one spot of corrosion.

 

[Toddmeister]

Three years old, ridden all year round, 24k miles and no problems so far!

 

[FatAl]

My 2002 R1150GS had the paint peeling off the engine covers and fork legs when it was about 30 months old. My 1990 R100gs has very little corrosion despite winter use. I just wash it when it's dirty.
I think the quality of modern BMW motorcycles is well below that of those made a decade or two earlier.

 

[SMcGirr]

3:1 so far ... In favour of no

 

[telbenj]

There's a lot of stuff on this forum and elsewhere of corrosion problems on boxers. Is it a small minority or is it really a big deal ? My GS LCTE doesn't have any yet for the record but it's garaged and ACF'd and just a year old.

Is there a clever mod that can put up a voting option so we can see the extent of the problem ? There are apparently 6,500 ish GS's on the road in the UK so I will only begin to worry when I see 650 of those with serious problems.



Mod : over to you

Not just the GS but most of the demo bikes parked out side in all weathers look awfull rusty discs and fixings, but they are unloved and untreated with anything it's a wonder they sell any.
Mine has no problems after 6K and ridden all winter too.

Terry

 

[2 wheel humvee]

GSA LC 2 years old 12000 miles no ACF50 or similar, only occasional winter use, washed regularly but not always after every ride-unless the roads are salty, no corrosion at all

 

[DRAIN MAN]

March 14 GSA had swinging arm and rear bevel box changed at 35,000 miles due to paint flaking off. Would not change front engine cover as they said it was due to stone chips.
In early March this year I noticed paint blistering on main engine casing on left hand side, took it into Pidcocks who took some photos and sent them of to BMW. Same day got a phone call saying that BMW was going to replace the complete engine, the bike had just done over 52,000 miles, so now I have got a nice new engine, the gear box is a lot better than the previous so lets hope they have improved the paint finish as well

 

[sven]

Mines just had the engine and driveshaft replaced due to relatively minor corrosion. As Drain Man says, it's nice to have a brand new engine with a better gearbox - it's like getting a new bike for free

Looking around the secondhand stock at my local BMW dealers, I'd say probably 10-15% of the bikes had similar corrosion, so it looks like unless you complain you're unlikely to be offered a solution.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

GSA LC 2 years old 12000 miles no ACF50 or similar, only occasional winter use, washed regularly but not always after every ride-unless the roads are salty, no corrosion at all

It's all down to care, wash regularly and job's a good'un

 

[ChazzyB]

Mine gets washed down after every ride, except over the summer. 1 year old and paint corrosion starting on the power train. I will be raising the matter with the dealer when it goes in for the 12K service later this month.

 

[Nutty]

Mine gets washed down after every ride, except over the summer. 1 year old and paint corrosion starting on the power train. I will be raising the matter with the dealer when it goes in for the 12K service later this month.

GS or GSA?

 

[sven]

It's all down to care, wash regularly and job's a good'un

Mine is rarely ridden in winter and is always washed if it's been exposed to salt.

The white flecks coming through the paint on the engine block are a sign that the coating is porous IMHO, so the corrosion is due to a defective coating rather than neglect. There is no corrosion elsewhere on the bike, so it looks like new now it's got a new engine fitted.

If the bike looked neglected, I'm sure BMW would have a different opinion regarding the root cause of the corrosion.

 

[madmechanic]

Interesting those who have corrosion how do they clean it , high pressure jet wash ???? or hose pipe and good cleaner ????
will make a big difference

 

[tanneman]

Only issue was corrosion in the hollow shaft of the rear hub. Changed under warranty. Suspect the dealer I bought the bike from didn't take good care of it. No other issues. 14 reg GSA black engine, washed regularly, protected with Bilthamber Dynac UC. To me it is a better product than ACF50. But then again I have always taken good care of my bikes and never suffered problems with corrosion.

 

[stever1]

Mines 2 days old, and 440 miles. All good so far

 

[Nutty]

Interesting those who have corrosion how do they clean it , high pressure jet wash ???? or hose pipe and good cleaner ????
will make a big difference

I jet wash mine, then dry with a bike dryer

 

[G&T]

I jet wash mine, then dry with a bike dryer

Nutty I was thinking about one of those bike dryers. Good investment?

 

[MondoRich]

2014MY 16000 miles sdoc 100 washed relentlessly and bathed in ACF50 via spray gun and compressor.
Looks like new - can't afford another

 

[tanneman]

This. 2 in one if you like working in the garden.