Exhaust corrosion on new bike

[GSite]

Hi All,
On a brand new 1250 GS Adventure, do folk accept even minor corrosion in the area around the joint between silencer and front section, just rear of the cat and under the heat sheild ? Bike delivered and not ridden as yet, dealer saw photos and said it would clean up with solvo polish. My take on it is that even doing so leaves deposits which will lead to earlier corrosion than expected on a new machine.

Seems the chrome finish I was expecting has been compromised or even missing in that area under the heat sheild.

My 2013 GS and 2020 R9T both owned from new still have gleaming exhausts without any external sign of corrosion, am I being unrealistic in my expectations or are they all like that sir ? Dealer collecting bike tomorrow so we shall see what their "technician" says and whether they feel it is a warranty job courtesy of the mothership. Got the feeling it ain't going anywhere other than back to my garage.

What do you guys think ?

 

[leadfarmer]

To be honest it looks fine to me, there’s some discoloration from the welding which I guess is done after the chrome plating but it’s under a cover

I wouldn’t worry about it, see how it looks in 6 months but I don’t think it will change

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Get a new exhaust
Looks crap and won’t improve with use

 

[TIJ650]

Although it’s understandable to be pedantic when you spend over £20k on a motorbike, the exhaust is stainless and only surface rust. It’ll blue in time too.
Mothers polish with a toothbrush if it bugs you that much?!


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[GSMarky]

Looks like a perfect excuse to get a Titanium system!!

 

[kevmax]

Looks good to me also. It’s just an area that’s susceptible to that of discolouration. Probably why it’s got a cover. Out of site out of mind

 

[GSMarky]

..just a bit of post weld oxidising & I'd not have even noticed it.

 

[GSite]

I would question if this would be present on a new item supplied as a replacement which has never been on a bike ? Seems the bike was manufactured in June 23, so you just don't know how it has been stored, so any initial surface corrosion has increased a bit in that time.

 

[APHezzer]

I am impressed with your inspection skills .. now wondering what on earth I might have missed when I picked up anyone of the last three new bikes, I am usually far too excited

I think if I HAD seen this I would have put it down to the welding process and waited to see what happens as it gets hot over a few weeks .. it's all under warranty so any failure would be covered and will really show show up in first 6 months or so.

There was a thread on Pistonheads a few years ago about a bloke (seriously into his detailing) who went round his new car with some gizmo and discovered the paint in one area was thiner by micrometers and rejected it which seemed crazy .. I genuinely believe that if you are buying from a good brand they will look after you as nothing can be absolutely perfect.

Not disparaging all of our desires to have the best return on our hard earned cash but having worked in various engineering disciplines from Civil to Software I try to be as pragmatic as I can and trust the brand I buy from.

A suggestion would be to 'lodge it' with the dealer so they are aware and then monitor at inspection service and first service - you have some baseline pictures which is good place to start.

 

[Nin]

You won’t see that once you get a layer of mud all over it from your adventures.

 

[Traffic893]

Don’t worry. The flappy valves will fail and you’ll get new exhaust headers under warranty.

 

[TIJ650]

Don’t worry. The flappy valves will fail and you’ll get new exhaust headers under warranty.

No shit!! When the salty British roads get into your nether regions and all over the shiny bits - you’ll quickly forget


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[JohnnyBoxer]

I would question if this would be present on a new item supplied as a replacement which has never been on a bike ? Seems the bike was manufactured in June 23, so you just don't know how it has been stored, so any initial surface corrosion has increased a bit in that time.

That's a long time to be stood about, 9 months at least in a warehouse
Not keen on that

 

[john-g]

Looking at the photo's it only appears to be oxidation and discolouring from the heat of the welding process, as these being stainless are not painted after welding. Every GS Exhaust I've seen have looked like this.

 

[GSite]

Thanks guys, seems a pragmatic approach for the dealer to inspect it before I ride it and log it as a concern from new with baseline photos. Just did not wish to raise it at running in service for the first time which is why the dealer collected it today. I am sure they will say all is OK but at least there will be a record if any issues occur down the line, can't wait to get going on some jollies after first service.

 

[Wapping]

Get a new exhaust
Looks crap and won’t improve with use

 

[clutchspring]

When the flappy valve thing seizes which probably won't be to long you'll get a new exhaust anyway!

 

[GSite]

By way of an update - had a call from the dealer today to say they ordered a brand new set of headers to compare to my bike and invited me in to look at both. On inspection the new ones do not appear to have any corrosion so they agreed to fit those under warranty and deliver the bike back to me. Great service from a great dealer, which is why I usually end up buying from them, plus of course a great deal.

Anal I know, but so far a happy anal.

 

[clutchspring]

Glad you got it sorted ,
Ian.

 

[EVskiy]

I wouldn't worry about it....