Winter Protection

[M0NK3H]

With the colder weather on its way I was woundering what the best way to protect my new toy from the salt would be.

Last year my poor RS boar the brunt of it and has a tarnished swing arm to prove it. I really don't want this to happen again to my Ninja.

Any advice would be great! Cheers!
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:: CBT - PASSED :: THEORY - PASSED :: FULL - PASSED ::
:: BIKES - APRILIA 06 RS 125 :: KAWASAKI 05 ZXR 636 C1H ::

[thefallenange...]

WD40, bar keepers friend for the exhaust, autosol will help ten fold. Cleaning brake calipers every month or every weekend like someone on here does and making sure it's well serviced and riding carefully, trying to dodge using the bike where possible helps.

Muck Off is good but a wash twice a week will do a job too. If you get the chance replace bolts for stainless where possible (as i've learnt on the SV it's a bloody good idea.
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Past - CG125 ,KR1S, SV650s, Street Triple R - Current - Duke 390

[email protected]

[caragh]

acf-50

https://www.acf-50.co.uk/
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Triumph Tiger 800 XR

[calum17]

i rode last winter starting in januaerry, i just let the bike cool down each time i got in after work or just going out. hose it off, making sure the exhaust and brakes aer done loads - wipe it over every few times too. then i sprayed my exhaust and any bolts which i felt neccasary with WD40 before locking it up for the night.

Thii year i'll do the same - maybe once or twice take off my lower fairing to clean the exhaust properly - though i did that last night whilst doing an oil change and it looks good. i'll also be maintaining my brake calipers this year through the winter as when coming to change my rear pads last weekend it was a night mare - so im sorting them out now and then keeping them that way. clean them weekly and check them monthly.

Ps: if you spray WD40 on your exhaust - expect it to smoke in the morning ... it'll worry you the first few times but its just the WD40 burning off again - it stinks and looks like you have engine problems or something but you'll expect it so its ok.

most importantly - ride carefully through out the winter - regular cleaning is only not wasted time if you keep the tyres firmly on the ground

[carlnicholson...]

[Reppyboyo]

+1 for ACF-50 brilliant stuff.

Soon to give my bike a damn good clean and a thourough coating of ACF-50 for the winter.
She wont see much cleaning over the next few months.

[Seb]

Scottoiler's FS365 spray is a quick, lazy and cheap alternative to ACF50, bit easier to get hold of and you can just merrily douse the bike in it with only the need to avoid the brakes.

I rode my old kwak day in and day out through the last winter and that spray kept it mint the whole time, it makes washing quick too as the dirt doesn't stick the bike. The main downside compared to ACF50 is that you need to respray the bike with the stuff between washes as it doesn't stick on for anything like as long, I suspect it costs more in the long run too due to the need to apply it much more frequently.

You can't go wrong with either option though and the difference they make to the condition of a bike after a hard winter's use can't be emphasised enough imho.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[calum17]

can ACF50 spray be used on the exhaust safely or is it not a good idea?

[sagalout]

Another vote for ACF50.

You can use it on the exhaust, but a lot of it will burn away.

Its a bit expensive to buy, but lasts ages. I bought a tub of it for £30 2 years ago and still have more than half of it left.
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Current Bike: Triumph Speed Triple T309
Previous: CBR600F => ZX9R => Triumph Tiger => Honda Blackbird => GSXR 750 => Versys =>ZX12R

[M0NK3H]

Cheers guy's!

Looks like I'll be ordering some ACF50 on the weekend then, one question though is it safe to apply all over? Wheels, breaks .etc? And dose it was off in a good clean?
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:: CBT - PASSED :: THEORY - PASSED :: FULL - PASSED ::
:: BIKES - APRILIA 06 RS 125 :: KAWASAKI 05 ZXR 636 C1H ::

[sagalout]

Dont put it on your discs/pads, but otherwise, yeah, you can apply it everywhere, including electrics, and it even brings up plastic trim a treat
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Current Bike: Triumph Speed Triple T309
Previous: CBR600F => ZX9R => Triumph Tiger => Honda Blackbird => GSXR 750 => Versys =>ZX12R

[apple tango]

I've got a lot of ACF-50 left over from last winter which i'll be using again.

Do people cover their bike in the stuff, then not bother washing it for a month or two?

Or does the stuff keep its coating even after washing the bike?
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CBR125 -> Bandit GSF600 '99 -> SV650 02

[Reppyboyo]

ACF-50 will stay on under standard cleaning, turtle wax and water or whatever you use.

However power cleaners, Sdoc or maybe Muc Off will take it off.

Over winter I tend to reapply to the most vulnerable bits every month, fixings etc.
Probably no need, but I like to do it anyway.

[LeeR]

I rinse my bike most evenings with a Hozelock Portable Washer and dry the important bits with a chamois, then spray it with GT85, keep the chain lubed especially after riding in rain, and clean the brakes with YoshiMoto Anka D Manka
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My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...

[craigs23]

Daily rinsing kept my R6 looking okay last year.