Salt on Roads
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Montgomery Il
Salt on Roads
I put about 250 miles on my Bike over the last three days here near Chicago. It has been dry but my bike has allot of salt dust on it. Does anyone know what that will do to your bike if you don't clean it right away?? Is it just like any other road dust or will it start to pit and rust? It is in a warm dry garage. Just haven't had time to clean it. Any thoughts??
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 572
Likes: 110
From: under the bridge on the sunrise side
Salt will destroy everything with time and moisture. It really likes to eat up aluminium, forks, and wheels. My bike is in rough shape because of salt exposure but what the heck they are made for riding right?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 60
From: Greer, South Carolina
Yes, clean it soon. I ride in early spring (or even in the winter if it's 40 degrees) when the salt is everywhere. I know some guys won't consider puttin' their bike out on roads like that, but I'm of the opinion that life is too short not to ride when you can. That being said, when I do ride on the dry salty dusty roads, I give my motorcycle a bath when I get home. I spray (with my garden hose and a nozzle) it everywhere, except the inner fairing, paying special attention to the frame, engine, wheels and under the fenders.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,143
Likes: 6,165
From: SE Michigan
I rode Friday and Saturday in the Detroit area, some salt dust, washed her up good yesterday and put her up again.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
You're F'ed! You just cannot get all the salt off. I used to live in Utah, where they salt the roads. There's a reason you don't see any cars over 10 years old. And it's not because everyone is rich. That salt just eats metal.