protecting a new bike

[wednesday]

My new ER-6F will be registered and ready to pick up as soon as I've passed my mod 2, but I live in an area surrounded by the sea and even the main road into town gets cut off by the tide regulrly so I WILL be riding on salty roads year round.
ACF50 - I've heard of it, but not really sure when to use it? Can I use it and still ride the bike (I'm riding year-round)? If so what parts do I spray and is there anything I need to be careful NOT to spray?
Is it even the best thing to use in these circumstances? Anything else I need to protect it apart from a decent cover?

[ws4936]

Very thin coats - they recommend using a microfiber cloth and once applied, place cloth in a ziplock bag. There should be enough to use for your next application. It should be microns thick when applying. If you see it, it's too thick. Avoid brake disc/pads.
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

[Beehive Bedlam]

You should buy an old hack you don't really care about for winter use and keep the new bike nice.

[MCN]

Spray everything apart from the brakes.
Use a little bit of rag to wipe up any excess and spread that excess over any missed areas.

There may already be some 'preservative' on the bike from the factory. Which 'may' tamperfere with the qualities of the ACF-50. It is better applied to clean dry surfaces.
Ask the dealer. They may even offer to ACF-50 it for you for a small fee. It cost about £25/litre so ad 1 hour labour and you will be in the ballpark.

The stuff comes with tons of How-to.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Kaya75]

Be careful not to spray the tyres too...
It will smoke off the engine and exhaust etc after first ride don't stress big plumes of white smoke, smoke it's normal..

I wash dry applied, do not move the wheels in case you get any on the discs one application is complete use brake cleaner on discs and tyres to wipe off over spray if u don't cover these first, I did mine on side stand to stop wheels moving and polluting the pads, take your time spray everything, but seat, brakes and tyres, grips and mirrors apply with cloth to wheels etc.

There is loads of how to's as said b4, also if you can do it in a garage with a bit of warmth, it will help penetration and flow etc.. you bike will look about ten years old by spring but will wash up to new again.. apparently, I'm still in my first application, but in a bandit and it's parked on the coast literally, so far so good

[wednesday]

[Rogerborg]

[MCN]

https://f2mcltd.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/winter-salt-protection-acf50-fs365-or.html
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[kramdra]

As with any learner on a new bike, get a spare set of plastics for winter or the first year, that is when most bikes get dropped or crashed.

While ACF works, its extremely expensive, and fresh/used engine oil will be just as good preventing rust on the frame/bolts, save your cash for more important things. Washing the bike too often will also encourage rust, best to ride it soon after to dry off. Use plenty of oil on chain or get an oiler. Dont neglect brakes, a good clean out after winter will help. Also a fork seal cleaner/sealmate, use every 10k miles or so.

Put protective 3M vinyl on the forks and top clamp (key scratches). Stones will chip the paint and make it look shit. My CBR6 has a couple small squares of it which look perfect after 63k miles, surrounded by rotting shite - so do the whole thing.

Chinese CNC levers are suprisingly great and give better control (for me atleast). Sell the originals on ebay for a decent premium.

[MCN]

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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[wr6133]

[kramdra]

I oiled the chinese 125 frame when I got it. The paint was not good but the frame has no new rust and two years later still has some coating of oil. Its been ridden in the wet and left out a bit (enough to rot new wheel bearings fitted 2013). So how is that stupid? its well suited to protecting a black frame.. but you wouldn't use it on the outside of petrol tank.

[Rogerborg]

[pompousporcup...]

i applied acf this weekend just gone. washed the bike down and let it dry then just went mental with the acf can, no rag needed, being careful around the brakes.

must have used half the can + for 1 application going over the entire bike made a good ol mess but a couple days later its dried up and will hopefully last the winter coming.

for the £15 delivered i paid i'm hoping it pay off

fwiw i used to use old engine oil to coat the underside/inner arches of my old car to prevent winter corrosion. worked a treat and came free when changing the oil works well if built up in a few layers

[UnknownStuntm...]

Use ACF50 - do the do, ignore Kramdra (don't argue, you'll get a slap!)

Don't drop your bike and consider other forms of transport if it's icy.

[KnuckleShot]

I agree, I wouldn't take advise of someone who punches vans.

[MCN]

[KnuckleShot]

[Jayy]

I absolutely mullered my chain and sprockets and the cat pipe on my brand new R1 from salt on the roads in 2014. Gutted about that still, cost near £400 to get it all back to normal

[wednesday]

[blue_painted]

Another plus for ACF50.

The usual bastard pigeon crapped on my bike during the day, leaving a brown splat on the chrome mudguard. I went off to collect things for the family, as I parked up I noticed that the bird crap just peeled off!
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GP-100 -> CB250RS -> CBX550F2 (pause) KR1S -> RD350YPVS -> ZX6-R (pause) CD200 ->Mash 400 -> T100 (current) & (R1100RT scrapped pile o' shite) (CB250 Nighthawk - SORN in shed) Meteor 350 (current)

[Rogerborg]

[kramdra]

[MCN]

I like the ER6 they are cool bikes but I wouldn't like cheap plastic on it.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[wednesday]

ok so I have the bike, I have the ACF50, there is a chance I might actually have some dry weather coming up... do I need to remove the fairings to do it? if so is it a one (small) person job?

cheers