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Corrosion is included as standard on the modern BMW bikes unfortunately. That’s relatively minor compared to the amount seen on some of the bikes on the UKgser forum...
They don’t all do it, but most do. BlackK1, I seem to recall you escaped it on yours?
The R9 series bikes seem to suffer it a lot less than the LC models, but some of the worst I’ve seen has been on the front of the engine casing of the XRs.
If you’ve got the extended BMW warranty they may cover it if you kick up enough fuss. Otherwise it’s a strip and powder coat job. You’re no doubt finding that once it’s set in it doesn’t stop, the paint starts flaking off. Small patches can be disguised, Hammerite engine paint is nearly a direct match on the grey.
They don’t all do it, but most do. BlackK1, I seem to recall you escaped it on yours?
The R9 series bikes seem to suffer it a lot less than the LC models, but some of the worst I’ve seen has been on the front of the engine casing of the XRs.
If you’ve got the extended BMW warranty they may cover it if you kick up enough fuss. Otherwise it’s a strip and powder coat job. You’re no doubt finding that once it’s set in it doesn’t stop, the paint starts flaking off. Small patches can be disguised, Hammerite engine paint is nearly a direct match on the grey.
inova said:
Hi, I am new to the forum so please forgive any ''cock ups''
Just thought I would send some pictures of corrosion problems on a 2014 BMW K1300s , as a warning to potential buyers.
New forum member in BMW's corrode shock horror story!Just thought I would send some pictures of corrosion problems on a 2014 BMW K1300s , as a warning to potential buyers.
No offence intended (and welcome to BB), but modern BMW's do seem to be afflicted by corrosion.
Or not.
It does, unfortunately, seem to be one of those hit and miss things where some owners can ride for thousands of miles through the most heavily salted winters known to man without issues and others wash their bike once and it seems to turn to dust before their very eyes.
All I would say is that I cut my teeth on 70's and 80's Jap metal that arrived from the factory pre-corroded and needed 3-in-one oil just to tighten the loose bolts, never mind stop it rusting...
Look up ACF-50...
tbox! Even though I was never going to anyway. The finish was one reason why i sold mine after 1 year.
It needed lots of TLC to keep it looking mint.
The first time i rode in the rain i left it parked up that night, then looked at cleaning it a couple of days later. I was shocked by the state of it. I think it's made worse by the torx/allen-key style bolts that are used all over, plus a lack of centre stand. It means that the water sits in the bolt heads like cups on those on the right side, so they just rust. Also the standard exhaust can would discolour at the first hint of water - to the point where i used metal polish to buff it out, but it took lots of effort.
The overall finish was really good once cleaned up, but the mixture of different materials and need for constant cleaning meant it had to go.
The blackbird that replaced it i am confident i can ride in all weathers with hardly ever cleaning it, and when i do it'll look half decent still. The way the fairing protects the internals is great, like they actually thought about it!
I really fancy an S1000RR, but looking at the position of things like the oil cooler (in firing line of the front wheel), and the thought of returning to the paranoia of having to clean a bike all the time really puts me off
It needed lots of TLC to keep it looking mint.
The first time i rode in the rain i left it parked up that night, then looked at cleaning it a couple of days later. I was shocked by the state of it. I think it's made worse by the torx/allen-key style bolts that are used all over, plus a lack of centre stand. It means that the water sits in the bolt heads like cups on those on the right side, so they just rust. Also the standard exhaust can would discolour at the first hint of water - to the point where i used metal polish to buff it out, but it took lots of effort.
The overall finish was really good once cleaned up, but the mixture of different materials and need for constant cleaning meant it had to go.
The blackbird that replaced it i am confident i can ride in all weathers with hardly ever cleaning it, and when i do it'll look half decent still. The way the fairing protects the internals is great, like they actually thought about it!
I really fancy an S1000RR, but looking at the position of things like the oil cooler (in firing line of the front wheel), and the thought of returning to the paranoia of having to clean a bike all the time really puts me off
TT1138 said:
Corrosion is included as standard on the modern BMW bikes unfortunately. That’s relatively minor compared to the amount seen on some of the bikes on the UKgser forum...
They don’t all do it, but most do. BlackK1, I seem to recall you escaped it on yours?
The R9 series bikes seem to suffer it a lot less than the LC models, but some of the worst I’ve seen has been on the front of the engine casing of the XRs.
If you’ve got the extended BMW warranty they may cover it if you kick up enough fuss. Otherwise it’s a strip and powder coat job. You’re no doubt finding that once it’s set in it doesn’t stop, the paint starts flaking off. Small patches can be disguised, Hammerite engine paint is nearly a direct match on the grey.
Yes, an extended warranty might have helped, BMW was no help at all, bike was coming up to 5yrs, so, classed as an old bike.They don’t all do it, but most do. BlackK1, I seem to recall you escaped it on yours?
The R9 series bikes seem to suffer it a lot less than the LC models, but some of the worst I’ve seen has been on the front of the engine casing of the XRs.
If you’ve got the extended BMW warranty they may cover it if you kick up enough fuss. Otherwise it’s a strip and powder coat job. You’re no doubt finding that once it’s set in it doesn’t stop, the paint starts flaking off. Small patches can be disguised, Hammerite engine paint is nearly a direct match on the grey.
TommyBuoy said:
It looks like something has been spilt or flung off it - not suggesting it has nor anyone's fault.
Have you got a wider shot?
ETA, assuming that is the shaft drive? Seems like it's relatively common looking on K-bikes
Initially it did look as if something had been split, but this is the form it took on all affected parts, front forks included.Have you got a wider shot?
ETA, assuming that is the shaft drive? Seems like it's relatively common looking on K-bikes
Edited by TommyBuoy on Monday 21st October 18:01
Unfortunately I have not got a wider shot
As others have said ACF-50 from new is the only way and no little squirt either, I paint mine on to the engine with a brush. I ride a Guzzi so if any bike is known for dodgy quality control then it's mine, never had an issue (barring the slightly wiffy smell at lights as it bakes dry)
I guess part of the downside of a shaft drive is you haven't got the normal splattering/spray of oil over that area to keep the salt and water from eating everything.
Normal routine is to just let the crud accumulate over the back end over autumn and winter, when wash it off in the spring. It protects it from corrosion.
Then just give the front end an occasional clean. Then a going over WD40 on the engine casings, fork legs, etc. Basically anything that isn't plastic. Though it also helps keep the switchgear working nicely.
Obviously taking care not to get it on any hand grips, tyres, brake discs or foot rubbers. Worth a quick wipe of the brake discs with some brake cleaner afterwards to stop the pads getting contaminated.
Some bikes just don't take winter very well though, and there's not much you can do about that, esp when the salt goes down. The Africa Twin looks to be one that just can't hack it. My FZS600 Fazer was another - the paint just fell off the engine casings.
So far for me the bikes that have coped the best were a Thunderace, VFR800Fi and Blackbird. The hondas in particular were brilliant.
Normal routine is to just let the crud accumulate over the back end over autumn and winter, when wash it off in the spring. It protects it from corrosion.
Then just give the front end an occasional clean. Then a going over WD40 on the engine casings, fork legs, etc. Basically anything that isn't plastic. Though it also helps keep the switchgear working nicely.
Obviously taking care not to get it on any hand grips, tyres, brake discs or foot rubbers. Worth a quick wipe of the brake discs with some brake cleaner afterwards to stop the pads getting contaminated.
Some bikes just don't take winter very well though, and there's not much you can do about that, esp when the salt goes down. The Africa Twin looks to be one that just can't hack it. My FZS600 Fazer was another - the paint just fell off the engine casings.
So far for me the bikes that have coped the best were a Thunderace, VFR800Fi and Blackbird. The hondas in particular were brilliant.
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