Explain this Salt thing to me....

[KnuckleBallz]

OK, so first winter keeping the bike out this long. I know salt is usually a sign that it's time to pack it in, but I thought this was mostly because it sucks to ride on.

I know it's not great for your bike, but I honestly didn't consider how bad it could be. So here's my question- with the amount of precipitation we've had the past few days, has enough washed off the roads that I can ride without having to worry about its effect on my bike? I saw people talking about spraying chemicals on theirs and whatnot, but I'm trying to avoid that.

I garage my bike up in NH (I don't have one down here), so my baby is just sitting on the street outside my house. I may make the trip north sooner rather than later if riding on salty roads is gonna be that much of a PITA.

[Sheppo]

No it is not washed off the roads yet. It's actually made it worse, it's a wet paste that can splash up and stick in places you wont believe. It corrodes aluminum, causes steel to rust. It attacked my side covers and cylinder fins. You really need to wash the bike after every ride. IMO. You need a good solid rain to wash it away.

[gadget]

Look up Galvanic Corrosion.

Take two dissimilar metals combined with a electrolyte (salt water) and you get a battery that creates an accelerated rate of corrosion.

It starts when your riding. The salt combines with water and is then sprayed in a fine aerosol throughout the motorcycle.
Washing the bike helps but the salt water aerosol does get into your electrics and places that regular washing usually doesn't reach.
Once you put the bike away and it dries, the salt remains as a fine coat and any condensation combines with the salt and continues the corrosion process.

[KnuckleBallz]

OK, I don't really want anything to do with any of that, so I'm probably gonna put her away the next nice day we have.

[GingahNinjah]

yea what they said. once salt and sand hits the road in the winter my season is over dont matter if we get an 80 degree day in february its not worth the potential corrosion damage to my bike.

[RandyO]

I've been riding in salt several winters and have had issues

no problems with frame or engine cosmeticly, in that respect, I've got more corrosion from summer bug splats on fork lowers

brakes get it the worse, caliper pins is what you have to watch the most

next is your electrical system, dielectric grease in ALL the connections is important, doesn't hurt to give the harness an extra wrap of tape and to bury the connections that you would rarely need to get to

other issues, moisture in the clutch slave cylinder

always carry some kind of cleaning fluid & towel to keep your visor & headlight clean (I use Rain-x brand windshield wash fluid & microfibre )

also always carry some lock de-icer, it may save ya when you get to a gas station

[Garandman]

OK, I don't really want anything to do with any of that, so I'm probably gonna put her away the next nice day we have.

Depends on the bike also as some have better anti-corrosive hardware than others.

The V-Strom is ridden a bit in the winter and even though I coat the lower parts of the bike with Boeshield, some of the fasteners are looking kind of beat.

[RandyO]

Depends on the bike also as some have better anti-corrosive hardware than others.

The V-Strom is ridden a bit in the winter and even though I coat the lower parts of the bike with Boeshield, some of the fasteners are looking kind of beat.

which is odd, I have experienced more corrosion with my V-strom than I did with my SV650, both Suzuki budget bikes with budget fasteners

[Pigman]

Salt is corrosive................done

[RandyO]

Salt is corrosive................done

salt alone is not corrosive, if it were, I'd have to buy salt shakers more often

corrosion/rust is oxidization. no oxygen, no corrosion, I don't care how much salt you pile on

and aluminum is pretty corrosion resistant, infact it's now the material of choice in marine projects http://www.sheetpileeurope.com/uploa..._corrosion.pdf

[Tricky Mike]

Saw a guy in an Audi R8 today. All I could think about was the salt water bath he was giving that thing. Must be nice to be too rich to give a fuck.

[RandyO]

ethanol is more corrosive than salt

[KnuckleBallz]

Depends on the bike also as some have better anti-corrosive hardware than others.

The V-Strom is ridden a bit in the winter and even though I coat the lower parts of the bike with Boeshield, some of the fasteners are looking kind of beat.

OK well, I just got a new (to me) fz6. I'm thinking I might as well wait til the spring to play with it...

[backinthesaddle]

Have to wash off the salt from yesterday's commute. and then plug the hole in my rear tire from the nail i picked up yesterday. glad i decided to wait until spring for new rubber.

[nhbubba]

which is odd, I have experienced more corrosion with my V-strom than I did with my SV650, both Suzuki budget bikes with budget fasteners

I too have noticed some corrosion on my 2011 V-Strom. I did not ride it through the winter, only a handfull of days, and I thought I rinsed it well after mid-winter and early spring rides.

[jwm2k3]

On your morning commute when its a little damp, does your car windshield require the washers due to a salt film? If so, I wouldnt ride the bike anymore...it will cover every nut and bolt.

April showers bring clean roads for riding!

[backinthesaddle]

On your morning commute when its a little damp, does your car windshield require the washers due to a salt film? If so, I wouldnt ride the bike anymore...it will cover every nut and bolt.

April showers bring clean roads for riding!

On my last commute I had to wash the salt off my shield, then my glasses, then my face.

[Garandman]

[aldend123]

Do bikes typically use less corresive-resistant materials to save money (or weight?) figuring that most people do not ride when the salt is out?

What about adv bikes, goldwings, or bmws?

[Stromper]

Most of the bike is just paint

I do think it is of lower quality and subject to gravel impacts that chip it.
Once the base metal is exposed the corrosion goea under the paint

I personally am not concerned about dry salt dust that remains after a while of dry.

The wet salt solution is VERY corrosive and you also have to worry about your electric connections and switches.

FYI

Connecticut uses a liquid solution and you will see the white lines like over bridges that is the dried salt

I have to compliment the Mafia for selling sea water to the state.

[nhbubba]

I have to compliment the Mafia for selling sea water to the state.

[Wanderer]

The more faired - the less direct metal contact at least. But it'll still get behind fairings etc and cause corrosion. Barrier protectants like BoeShield, ACF-50 help, as does rinsing down with *cold* water after a ride.

As for ADV bikes like the GS - also just as vulnerable. BMW GS's are prone to paint damage and some corrosion on the front of the alternator cover in particular. Quite a few owners end up stripping it back, and re-painting the area. (Longterm owners)

Just bought another GS myself and will be stripping it down in the garage on Saturday to apply ACF-50 prettymuch everywhere other than tires, wheels, brakes, seat and grips. Winter here is at least milder than there, but they tend to salt eagerly.

[Garandman]

/Just bought another GS myself and will be stripping it down in the garage on Saturday to apply ACF-50 prettymuch everywhere other than tires, wheels, brakes, seat and grips. Winter here is at least milder than there, but they tend to salt eagerly.

Wasserboxer?

[Billy]

Second salt is laid down on the roads, my riding season is done for the year. Then in the spring after all the snow is melted and we've had a good couple downpours, the bikes come back out. My typical riding season usually starts in April and ends in the beginning of Dec.

[gregp]

I recall that my Grade School science teacher once asked us "What 2 things are required for rust and corrosion to occur?" Nobody knew. He went on the explain that there are things at the bottom of the arctic ocean that have not rusted yet, and there are things out in the deserts that do not rust or corrode for a long time. The answer was: Moisture, and heat.
So, salt alone is not much of a problem, but combined with moisture, and engine heat, the salt only serves to accelerate the rust and corrosion.
It still doesn't stop me from riding, but, then, I do not own a $10,000 motorcycle. Yet. I am going to change that next year as I seek out a 'Wing, or some other large comfortable touring bike. Whatever I end up with, I will not be riding it once the salt hits the roads. I intend to also own a small dual sport (CRF250L?) for that duty.