Would you leave a GS parked outside...

David Nimrod said:
I think you know what to do... :D :thumb2
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Yea....

She was not to impressed with me washing the primary case of my cub in the kitchen sink some time ago.... Should have finished the rest of the washing up first I guess.

I've also got a mate round the corner with a guzzi in his living room..... His wife tolerates it...uses it to hang her ironing on...
 
Stop it boys :rob

If you are having building work done can't you budget in a small cantilever roof to park it under or better still a bespoke bike shed? :nenau

The only GS that was built to a better standard than most was the 1100 ;)
 
Mutley said:
Stop it boys :rob

If you are having building work done can't you budget in a small cantilever roof to park it under or better still a bespoke bike shed? :nenau

The only GS that was built to a better standard than most was the 1100 ;)
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Yeah, but the kids have claimed that already for their BMXs and mountain bikes.

Oh, and all of the "give me strength..." replies... yawn... yeah, I see you all the time with your beardy weirdy "one life - live it" stickers, as you head down a bit of gravel to do your weekly Asda shop... :) "Let's get gripped..."

Good banter - but if I'm forking out £14K for a new bike, I don't want it to dissolve into a pool of shite within a year, like most of my previous machines would have done.

Ben.
 
batman1 said:
Rainbow BMW have just emailed me today with a power wash and full ACF50 pre winter treatment for just £39.00 incl vat.

This sounds like a great offer if it is the full professional treatment and might be the way to protect your new baby. :thumb2
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I got that same offer for £59 :(
 
bejam said:
.....but if I'm forking out £14K for a new bike, I don't want it to dissolve into a pool of shite within a year, like most of my previous machines would have done.

Ben.
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So, Ben, you already know that if you ride a motorbike through the winter (with all its salt about) and if you regularly don't wash it off BEFORE you put it away (whether that is in a garage or under a sheet outside, makes little odds) it will very probably start to corrode. Disavow yourself of any possible notion that a premium priced 1200 GS is any different.

See umpteen threads on how bods complain that their previously pristine, premium priced, vehicle has bubbling paint, furred bolts or whatever. Whether or not the same complaining owners ever troubled themselves to ever use a hose (instead of just moaning that a car would not have the same problems) is by-and-large not revealed.

See also umpteen posts on the application of ACF50 and / or similar products (often as a substitute for water and a hose) and of course on the first 'Must have' piece of bling on any 1200 GS.... Alan (Mate) Hooten's Crud Catcher.

See also Mickey's posts about how he has managed to keep his very well travelled 800 in above average condition without resorting to chemicals, coatings and crud catchers. You can probably do the same.

In short..... Get lazy through the winter and your £14.000 bike will probably suffer. But you knew that, didn't you.

Now we have cleared that up. How's the hunt for a top quality (price not a consideration) bike cover coming along? Settled on something yet? No? Oh well, never mind, early days. Yes? Great, mate. Be sure to post a short and long term review up, with pictures. You can do it in the 1200 section but better might be in the 'Equipment and toys / product reviews' section, as it's not really uniquely peculiar to the 1200.
 
bejam said:
Oh, and all of the "give me strength..." replies... yawn... yeah, I see you all the time with your beardy weirdy "one life - live it" stickers, as you head down a bit of gravel to do your weekly Asda shop... :) "Let's get gripped..."
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Very good :clap :D
 
Wapping said:
In short..... Get lazy through the winter and your £14.000 bike will probably suffer. But you knew that, didn't you.
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No, I was looking for some insight into how BMWs might differ from the norm and that was a very useful and comprehensive answer. Thanks - I'll look up those other threads.

Ben.
 
bejam said:
....that was a very useful and comprehensive answer. Thanks - I'll look up those other threads.

Ben.
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Great, mate :thumb2

Really, a hose, bucket and water, with some half decent vehicle shampoo will be your best friends.

Obviously I can understand that if you ride the bike daily (commuting to work, for instance) it's a pain to get the hose out each time. Just be sensible. If you really can't do it each time (few can or do) then give it a decent blast with water and a half decent vehicle cleaner at the weekend. If you spot any bits of significant corrosion (some bods are very fussy, so judge what YOU feel is significant) deal with it then and there, as it probably won't get any better on its own.

Even just keeping a pump up garden spray of water handy will help to keep the worse off. Use your common sense where to spray it, you do not need to be told.

Bods swear by ACF50 and / or a less gooey product ('look' is important to some) from Scottoiler. I have never used either, simply a half decent hose-off each time I come in (I don't commute, but do go out for 250 miles days in the winter, so enough to pick up a load of salt) and all has been reasonably well. I do though have the luxury of a garage, a Karcher, Muc-off, a reliable water tap and bucket, all in easy reach. You may not have.... So you'll have to dream up your own method.
 
All my bikes live outdoors. Have used wunderlich covers for the 1200 it is big enough to cover panniers apparently. I rarely have them on, this allows the cover to completely protect my bike. I AC50 anytime now for winter. Then as above rinse off after every journey. I dry the bike before covering,pay attention to any obvious water traps, this has worked well for me. The covers last about 4 years then go brittle. What's £60 . Looking in Rainbow last visit there were loads of 2 and 3 year old bikes that had been treated like faberge eggs,probably never seen rain. Fashion accessories . Ride and enjoy your bike to the full.:thumby:
 
Park outside ? That is an absolute no go. Not unless it is booby trapped with enough C4 to deal with the orcs living or patrolling in the area. Luckily I have a garage to keep it dry. When on a longer trip I don't care anymore. Otherwise you just as well should not ride at all on a new bike.
 
Mine lives outside, I commute daily. Just get into the habit of shackling it up and throwing the cover over it. Funnily enough, It stays all day in a dry (warm) undeground car park. I even have a little brush and spritzer there to give the wheels and forks a once over.

As a child we were often fed Bejam Products, the potato topped fishermans pie was a particular favourite as was the raspberry ripple icecream.
 
Keyframe said:
I even have a little brush and spritzer there to give the wheels and forks a once over.

As a child we were often fed Bejam Products, the potato topped fishermans pie was a particular favourite as was the raspberry ripple icecream.
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Small world. I have enjoyed the occasional spritzer, in hot weather.
 
Buggeration, my cleaning secrets laid bare whilst recalling my childhood meals. That'll teach me to post on an empty stomach...
 
David Nimrod said:
My R100GS in our middle room... :thumb

Thanks to Rob Farmer for helping me get it into the house, when Mrs Nimrod was away for the weekend :augie
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Much Respect :bow

That Farmer bloke knows his stuff - reckon I'll give him a call when I've got my garage in bits & need to store the bikes :thumb
Wonder if he can manage stairs ? We've got a spare bedroom :D
 
GS ordered today.

Thanks for the thoughts re covers - think I'll check out a Wunderlich, before I inevitably get bored of covering it every night a few months down the line, get some scratches on it, grow a proper beard and stop fretting about it.

Cheers :beerjug:

Ben.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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