More corrosion issues .....

[Malcvtr]

Had the same problem with my GSA, one damp weekend ride to Wales and back and no paint left on centre bar, complained to dealer who said they all do it !!!
Sent a email to BMW customer bullshit who said it was expected wear/tear. Sent them another email stating that paintwork was not fit for purpose bike had only done less than a 1000 mile and that under the sales of goods act 1979 I was reject the part and would require a replacement under warranty. I also told them I would reject any new stand fitted if the same problem occurred again and would continue to do this for the period of the warranty.

Success !!! new stand fitted along with a clear plastic wrap around the centre bar, now on 28,000 miles and the paint is still on the centre bar.

Well done mate. I don't get all these posts which argue it's to be expected. Clearly, according to several posts, level of protection for the metal can be simply and cheaply raised to an acceptable level of durability. So why shouldn't BMW do it in the factory?

 

[JimVonBaden]

Looks like the OP spends time on gravel roads. Beat the snot out of the centerstand.

I use this:

Jim :brow

 

[Richie N]

Life's too short......

 

[UturnTony]

Until I discovered 3M helicopter tape, the centre stands on all my GS's went rusty. I now have a centre stand plate, and that protects the bar from the elements.

Here it is

Ya but what's protecting the plate FFS. you can't leave it open to stone damage and stuff. It needs protection

 

[Hoseman]

Looks like the OP spends time on gravel roads. Beat the snot out of the centerstand.

I use this:

Jim :brow

Can't see how this protects protects, rotation of the rear wheel throws water & road detritus shot blasting the the cross member from the rear. I use a cut piece of coolant pipe on the cross bar which I simply remove between rides to prevent potential rot setting in under the pipe, and of course liberally coat in acf. So far still as good as new. Not a Gucci farkle but an effective one.

 

[Nutty]

Ya but what's protecting the plate FFS. you can't leave it open to stone damage and stuff. It needs protection

Ah, Tony, now you've got me thinking!

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Can't see how this protects protects, rotation of the rear wheel throws water & road detritus shot blasting the the cross member from the rear. I use a cut piece of coolant pipe on the cross bar which I simply remove between rides to prevent potential rot setting in under the pipe, and of course liberally coat in acf. So far still as good as new. Not a Gucci farkle but an effective one.

That Hoseman is a good and sensible solution. Quite why more people don't just do something like this instead of bleating to the dealer is beyond me.

I've used a bash plate like JimVonBaden which protects it from the rocks and gravel on some of the roads I go on. Works well.

 

[misterlaffer]

For the centre stand Cross brace I use a length of 20mm dia electrical conduit. I cut a 2 or 3 mill slot down the length and snap it over the cross brace. Secure it with a couple of cable ties by filing groove either end for the tie to sit in. Rotate the conduit to hide the slot when the stand is up, and optimal when the stand is down. Cost about 2 quid in all and better than fugly looking tape and harder wearing on the stones etc.

 

[fazerbill]

Why do we need to pay big bucks for corrosion protection gear when we pay top dollar for the bike in the first place. These corrosion problems should not be happening on an elite brand like BMW. I had loads of Jap bikes and the corrosion was no where near as bad as I have seen on this forum and on my 2014 GS TE.
Fukin totally unacceptable in my book.

 

[Paul S]

Why do we need to pay big bucks for corrosion protection gear when we pay top dollar for the bike in the first place. These corrosion problems should not be happening on an elite brand like BMW. I had loads of Jap bikes and the corrosion was no where near as bad as I have seen on this forum and on my 2014 GS TE.
Fukin totally unacceptable in my book.

Firstly what makes you think it's an "elite brand" - what an earth is an elite brand in the first place

Secondly taking a bit of time to protect your new bike is hardly a big deal and last time I checked a roll of helicopter tape did not cost "big bucks"

Bit of helicopter tape on the vulnerable bits of the centre stand and frame and my 2014 GSA has no corrosion issues at all

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Firstly what makes you think it's an "elite brand" - what an earth is an elite brand in the first place

Secondly taking a bit of time to protect your new bike is hardly a big deal and last time I checked a roll of helicopter tape did not cost "big bucks"

Bit of helicopter tape on the vulnerable bits of the centre stand and frame and my 2014 GSA has no corrosion issues at all

I think you have it on the nail there old chap

I'm not sure I would have the balls to walk into the showroom and say I was pissed off because of a bit of rust on the centre stand Quite why doing something as simple as putting some tape of a bash plate on can be seen as big bucks or a major issue is beyond me.

It shouldn't happen and doesn't in the wonderful world of vehicle makers and the paint they use isn't as good as it was but in the real world shit happens, deal with it and move on.

 

[madmartin]

Told ya ...rip it off. And if you need..buy a paddock stand.

 

[GS_or_bust]

Told ya ...rip it off. And if you need..buy a paddock stand.

If you do remove the centre stand then don't forget to tell your insurance company you have modified the bike

Seriously if you want the bike to stay looking like new then mount it on the wall and just look at it. If you are worried about the look of the centre stand crossbar then a can of black spray paint from Halfords will sort it. You won't develop many smile lines as a glass half empty type of person.

 

[Edward]

Life's too short......

Very true,especially if you are refering to the life of the paintwork

 

[madmartin]

If you do remove the centre stand then don't forget to tell your insurance company you have modified the bike

Seriously if you want the bike to stay looking like new then mount it on the wall and just look at it. If you are worried about the look of the centre stand crossbar then a can of black spray paint from Halfords will sort it. You won't develop many smile lines as a glass half empty type of person.

Didnt remove it because i were worried about corossion. Its not wanted and weighs more than half the bike... dont ride out in winter anyway..to busy.x

 

[Neil W]

Over the past 35 years of riding bikes I must have owned dozens , almost all of them had centre stands and yet only three ended up with gravel blasted centre stands that corroded.
a 1999 bmw r1150g
a 2011 bmw r1200gsa tc
a 2014 bmw r1200gsa lc

Go figure it out......... nothing that some decent paint didn't cure

 

[r1happy]

Just gave up and got mine powder coated. Then covered it in clear 3M wrap.

 

[dommiek]

Over the past 35 years of riding bikes I must have owned dozens , almost all of them had centre stands and yet only three ended up with gravel blasted centre stands that corroded.
a 1999 bmw r1150g
a 2011 bmw r1200gsa tc
a 2014 bmw r1200gsa lc

Go figure it out......... nothing that some decent paint didn't cure

if you look at a centre stand on a NON shaft driven bike I'm sure most won't have the corrosion and stone chips as you're experiencing. A well lubed chain usually throws off a very fine oily mist which coats and protects the centre stand....just one of the dissadvantages of shaft drive.

 

[Skid06]

Told ya ...rip it off. And if you need..buy a paddock stand.

Mines off. Looks loads better.

 

[Engineer]

Removing the side stand will make your bike explode because all the oil will drain to left and starve the r.h.s cylinder and then your warranty will be invalid