Winter weather protection

[Dare2Fail]

After pretty much killing my 950 Adventure by riding it in one Scottish winter I swore that I would start using the car in winter months. This seemed a genius plan until just now when I realised just how soon winter will be here and the thought of being away from two wheels until spring is just down right depressing. So, with that thought in mind, what would you all suggest to to protect a bike from the ravages of salt covered roads? Is there a way to protect a bike so that it doesn't rot, or am I onto a hiding to nothing?

[Dare2Fail]

v60marko said:

ACF-50

Is this the stuff you apply and then don't wash your bike until spring?

[Dare2Fail]

What did you use to apply it?

[Dare2Fail]

dapearson said:

When i used to ride all year round, i would do the following:

Wash/hose the salt off as often as possible. Even just a quick blast with a hose will do.

Don't leave any metal without some sort of treatment. WD40, 365, ACF, whatever. Pegs, fork legs, engine casings, etc.

Keep the chain lubed. Go crazy. Doesn't matter if lube goes all over the gearchange mechanism, inside of the rear wheel, front sprocket area. It will help protect it.

I'd only degrease and clean the chain if it had grit in it as that'll wear it out. But try not to. Basically you want the bike looking like a greasy, oil covered mess! The grubbier the better. A clean, shiny bike that's just been washed is vulnerable to salt! Hose it off but go easy on detergents.

After winter completely degrease the whole thing. Sprocket cover off. Fairings off.

Fasteners will go dull. A replacement set off ebay isn't expensive though.

I've found fully faired bikes harder to keep nice in winter too. On the surface they handle it well because of all the plastic, but there's always something underneath that gets ruined because you can't get to it to protect it.

Worth removing passenger hangers too as that alloy goes dull quickly and stands out.

Jetwash. Apply WD40 (or similar). Repeat.

Edited by dapearson on Sunday 28th September 08:08

Cheers dude. I've ordered some ACF50 so will clean the bike thoroughly next weekend, strip off all the plastics and get the ACF applied.

[Dare2Fail]

Prof Prolapse said:

I use sea salt.

ACF 50 on an unused track bike in a garage? Seems a bit OTT?

I mean I live near Liam and my bike lives outside (admittedly not ridden much in winter) and it's been fine for years. Just cleaned properly and greased.

I'm really not sold on this ACF 50. It's just expensive grease with a rust inhibitor isn't it?

My KTM developed a crazy number of electrical problems due to connectors being rotten, and then rhere was the rust that popped up anywhere and everywhere. That was despite hosing the bike down after each ride and using fs365. I think some bikes may stand up to the rigours of a winter commute better than others.