OK, so the roads are still a bit salty here, and we are expecting some 40's this week, and I'm really jonesing for a ride. What say you, fellow northern riders, is cleaning up after a pain and not worth it, or quit whining and just ride? What methods work for getting the salt dust out of the nooks & crannys?

 

It hit 44 here yesterday and I couldn't resist...a quick jaunt turned into 90 minutes....damn it felt good. Got home grabbed a bucket of hot water to rinse the carriage down and followed up with the leave blower...did it twice.

Hope it's just as warm today...might make an afternoon of it!

 

I have a hose connection in the garage. I just hose the bike down and spray under the fenders really good.

 

Unless the roads are wet the salt shouldn't be an issue.
If the roads are wet then I'm not riding.

That being said, I would think if you do get salt on the bike you should just rinse off the bike and it should be fine.

 

Friends took off for Daytona last Thursday during the snow... Salt,, what salt!!! They said took a few hours to clean up!!

WTF,, I just finished posting this,, and here on the general chat the pic did not come from them at all,, they took it from the internet.. OH I am kicking someones aXXXXX !!! ROFL,, they made it sound like it was their bikes!!! ROFL

 

Not 100% true...watch the road when a vehicle travels by and you'll see "white powder" rising up from the road...e.g. salt dust & it gets everywhere.

For OP, ride away and don't worry much until you get home. Then give the bike a good hose-down (wash) when done...you're good. Also, S100 makes a protectant you can spritz on the bike to prevent corrosion <http://www.s100.com/s100_cp.htm>. I haven't used it, but heard it works well.

 

You have no idea how much salt they use here in Minn and Wisc.
I'm olde school, I won't ride till after a first rain.
It's not just salt,, sand and gravel piles up at intersections,, major bad traction issues when stop/go/cornering.

 

THIS

 

You need a winter and a summer bike.
HD for summer and something like a beater dual/sport 650 or winter rides in salt.

 

One thing most people do not think of and one of the best things I've ever done is adding a hot water spigot for my outside hoses. It's nice because you can wash the car/bike without freezing your *** off and the hot water also helps with cleaning.

As for salt. When the roads are wet or dry you will get salt into every nook and cranny. I would thoroughly wash your bike immediately after each salty ride. Do not let the salt build up. Also use forced air to make sure the bike is completely dry when you're finished.