Winter protection - What is best?

Lars1974 · Post by **Lars1974** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:22 pm

Hi all,

i am just back from a ride out this morning and eventhough it was dry outside the bike is filthy again. at the moment i dont spray anyting on just wash it with cold water after each ride.

Now my question:
Do you use any spray or material to protect it a bit more against all that crap on the roads..? if so what do you use and do you spray the rim, enginge part, forks, swingarm, fairing etc?

Please advise as i want to keep my S from looking good, but dont want to wash after each ride...

looking forward to your suggestions.

thx Lars

JoeC · Post by **JoeC** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:45 pm

Depends on personal preferances but most people use WD40 or the like, ACF50 or Scotoilers FS365.

WD ... cheap and chearful
ACF ... good protection. Can rinse the bike to get rid of loose dirt but do not need to reapply. Suggest reapplying after you have properly washed the bike.
FS365 ... water based so need to reapply regularly.

I use either WD or ACF depending on how I feel!

Lars1974 · Post by **Lars1974** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 3:01 pm

Hi Joe,

What do you spray with WD40? the entire bike? or just the aluminum bits?
thx Lars

Boxadog 2000 · Post by **Boxadog 2000** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 4:43 pm

Well as a serial polisher this year I have opted for ACF 50.

Feels really strange just riding the bike and giving it an occasional rinse as opposed to the full monty clean at the weekend.

I hope that when I come to give it the full wax at the end of February I don't find lots of fur.

Bob

JoeC · Post by **JoeC** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 4:55 pm

Lars

I spray just about everything except brake parts, wheels. Just keep away from wheel bearings, etc where grease is. If you use it on the engine and exhaust then the WD will burn off with some smoke but this is nothing to worry about. Just reapply to a cool engine etc.

Don't know if it is a bargain or not but Screwfix sells 5 litres with a spray for £20. With delivery it is £25 but you may have a branch near you.

Bender · Post by **Bender** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:03 pm

I'm giving Muc Off bike spray a try (came free with some Muc Off from Halfords) looks nice on the bike - I'll let you know how I get on...

Archie · Post by **Archie** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:32 pm

Boxadog 2000 wrote:I hope that when I come to give it the full wax at the end of February I don't find lots of fur.

You need not worry. I bought my GSXR1000 when the roads were salty and covered it in ACF50.

It completely protected the bike. Sadly the Crescent brothers washed it very thoroughly at the first service, so I had to reapply it.

I didn't attempt to wash or rinse it though, so can't vouch for it staying on then.

paulR · Post by **paulR** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:42 am

I'm using ACF50 on my 1150GS. I went out a couple of times over xmas and the bike got filthy. I couldn't bear putting it away in the garage like that so I jet-washed it and probably removed most of the ACF50