Salt on roads---problem?
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,960
Likes: 6,715
From: WI
I'll wait till one or two good rains. I am in WI. I know, I have the itch to, but like others are saying, it is not just the salt on my bike, it is the cold asphalt and the sandy texture of the salt on the roads. A good rain won't be to far off.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 621
Likes: 1
From: Windy City,Il
Don't ride ur bike,don't drive ur car and b sure of where u step when there is salt/dust on the road,myself I drive,ride and walk,if its nice enuff I'll wash it off,didn't buy the car,bike or my shoes to keep em at home just because there's salt(LOL).
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 875
Likes: 1
From: Rochester, NY
Me too! Look at the cars in your area that they use in the winter! Is there an issue. I have read posts where a buyer of a used bike questions why the chrome on the wheels is flaking off.... I'll give you one guess. As anxious as i am for riding... I won't go out until it rains a few times. Thank you very much.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 875
Likes: 1
From: Rochester, NY
Salt $ucks when it comes to machines. Look at the cars in your area. if they show signs of excessive corrosion... that's a clue. If you look at used bikes with rusted, peeling chrome... that's a clue. I'l err on the side of waiting for a few rains to clear the salt. Think you can see it (salt) dream on!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
You're thinking of the 70's. It's pretty rare to see rust on cars these days, even in Chicago. Rust seems the worst near the coasts - salt air gets into more nooks and crannies than riding through some salt dust.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 23,178
Likes: 19
From: elsewhere
The real bottom line on why I ride my scoot whenever I can, salt or whatever, is that I may not be alive when the rain finally washes the crap off the road. I'm not about to waste today waiting for a day that might not come. I've had too many people I know/knew die of heart attacks, have strokes, or die of cancer to worry about what what salt might do to a motorcycle. It might sound morbid, but I'm alive today, it's going to be 45*, and I'm riding!!