Which extras to prevent corrosion?

[DaveS]

I ride my bike every day in every weather all the year, so it's always a battle trying to keep it looking nice.
It's (GSA) 2 weeks old and I've already coated it in ACF 50, so my thoughts turn to bolt-on's that I can use to try to protect vulnerable areas.

So what works and what doesn't in helping to keep it clean and corrosion free?

 

[BillWright]

Hi

Your best bet would be a move to Southern California.

I think you may find that the only definitive cure is the removal of the cause, eg salt rain and damp.

I'm really pleased with the bike but, without wishing to sound like an 11xx owner, they don't make them like they use to.

 

[brut33]

A front fender extender. Always good for protecting the leading surface of the engine block.

......and get yourself a cheap winter bike.

 

[Bigtrucknuts]

You can bolt as much as you like on the thing but it's not going to help.

The ACF 50 will hold it back a bit. But it's a bitch to get of in the summer. Nothing's going to help your exhaust as soon as the salt starts to fly.

I bought Yamaha 125 scooter for my wife to learn on. I'll be using that this winter. Probably the best 'bolt on' you can get.


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

 

[Nutty]

Fender extender and mudsling. The bike won't dissolve, as long as you rinse any salt off. I ride mine all year round, never used ACF50, and there isn't one spot of corrosion on it.

 

[Wapping]

The best bolt-on you can buy is....

A decent quality hose, in a tidy reel, bolted to your wall and employed regularly.

There are no bolt-on shortcuts.

 

[Jonno58]

I ride my bike every day in every weather all the year, so it's always a battle trying to keep it looking nice.
It's (GSA) 2 weeks old and I've already coated it in ACF 50, so my thoughts turn to bolt-on's that I can use to try to protect vulnerable areas.

So what works and what doesn't in helping to keep it clean and corrosion free?

Hi Dave I have a Cymarc Front Crud Catcher fitted www.cymarcbikeparts.co.uk/r1200gsa-lc-touring-front-crud-catcher-in-black-139-p.asp

Please note though that there's not enough clearance to have this and a front Fender Extender so decision to make which you have, I went the Crud Catcher as it offers more impact protection, also fitted the Rear One, Machineart Mudsling, Frame Protector to stop paint rubbing off and some Venture Shield to the front forks.

 

[DaveS]

Thanks all.
Ive ordered a crud catcher, and I fitted Wunderlich frame guards last weekend.
My last GS an 1150 was excellent, no matter how little I cleaned it it always came up well. The finish finally succumbed after about 5 years of daily riding, but it did well.
Daily washing is a pain as its often late when I get home and I have't got a convenient hose so I tend not to.. I may look in to doing something about that.

I do actually have a winter hack that I was intending to use... but I love the GS so can see myself gravitating to it all year round despite the best of intentions.

Any recommendations on a decent sump guard?

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

What's wrong with the original

 

[DaveS]

What's wrong with the original

Not enough protection when offroad? Although I haven't ventured out offroad yet. Just doesn't look very substantial to me, so was thinking of replacing it.

 

[Andy B]

The best bolt-on you can buy is....

A decent quality hose, in a tidy reel, bolted to your wall and employed regularly.

There are no bolt-on shortcuts.

If you keep the bike indoors you can also do yourself a favour and buy a dehumidifier to keep moisture levels down.

 

[DaveS]

If you keep the bike indoors you can also do yourself a favour and buy a dehumidifier to keep moisture levels down.

Yes now thats an interesting thought as it garaged each night.

 

[Engineer]

ACF 50 (or similar) all vulnerable areas and NEVER, EVER park up the bike (even for one night) without hosing off any salt. Forget bolt ons, they will just make it harder to get to the salt.

 

[Juanma33]

TONNES and TONNES of ACF-50.

And maybe.. help from God.

I commute everyday on my one, still corrosion free but I can see a few screws and bolts in very poor condition...

That's BMW quality for you!

Good luck!

 

[Nutty]

I commute everyday on my one, still corrosion free but I can see a few screws and bolts in very poor condition...

That's BMW quality for you!

Do BMW make screws and bolts?

 

[Juanma33]

BMW does fit them on their bikes...whatever they manufacture them or not... it's not customer problem

 

[oxforshirerider]

I'd have to agree with the majority, there isn't any escape other than leaving the bike and taking another means of transport.

For me, that's not possible, and used my GSA purchased in July 14 in all weather everyday for the commute. I had it smothered in ACF50 and washed regularly, in the year I have racked up 20,000 miles on the clock and last month had a new Engine and Rear Swingarm fitted, replaced under warranty due to excessive corrosion.

So this winter I am living in fear. I'll once again be taking out shares in ACF50 and have moved my hose to the other side of the house ready for daily spray downs as soon as the weather even thinks about looking like I'll need to swap out my summer gloves!

Interestingly the dealership told me that while the UK accounts for only about 20% of BMW's sales, it accounts for 85% of their warranty claims. France for instance doesn't use salt on their roads, they use a synthetic which doesn't destroy vehicles and obviously works as the mountain roads are kept impressively clear for a lot of the winters. I guess as we get effected less by freezing weather in the UK, its an economics decision by someone high up the food chain that we don't use similar.

Good Luck!

 

[batman1]

Wash regularly after the ride, but especially a COLD WATER hose rinse after salted road work, use Doc100 as a pre-cleaner, then a jet wash if required but remember to give the jet nozzle plenty of distance from the target area if cleaning sensitive areas such as switch gear, clocks and bearing/seals.

Use occaisional ACF50 on center stand area etc, but Scotoiler 365 preservative spray after every wash around any other areas, especially casing joints screw heads etc. Scotoiler 365 is much thinner and lighter than ACF50 and doesn't gob everything up.

Don't use household detergents as they can contains salts that help you do the dishes, use a cheap car shampoo instead, and with sponge on paintwork.

Wash leather down to dry the pretty bits followered by an occasional decent wax polish.

Also, it's not a bad idea to ride the bike for 100yards down the road after the wash holding the brakes on to get some heat into the discs and pads which dries them out quickly and prevents any chance of rusting under the pads.

Well thats what I do, and my bike looks like the day I bought it and has covered 11,000 miles in the 12 months.

 

[Juanma33]

All these posts made me think....

How much time do we spend trying to prevent corrosion? And... what percentage of success are we getting?

How much time do people spend doing the same on BMW on cars? Sorry guys, but I can't see nothing but poor quality on our bikes.

 

[Engineer]

All these posts made me think....

How much time do we spend trying to prevent corrosion? And... what percentage of success are we getting?

How much time do people spend doing the same on BMW on cars? Sorry guys, but I can't see nothing but poor quality on our bikes.

look under any car bonnet that has been through a winter and you'll see all sorts of cosmetic corrosion, the difference with bikes is that it is all on show - having said that I wouldn't mind paying a bit extra to get a harder wearing paint finish on the GS.