Heartbroken...rust

[WaddlingThunder]

I recently moved to Florida and purchased a new (zero miles) 2015 GL1800. I spent a few month running between Florida and Illinois, and thought I was doing the right thing and purchased a full bike cover to keep my new baby safe while travelling and unable to ride. Finally finished relocating...uncovered the bike, ready to ride, only to find a TON of rust. The chrome parts (highway bars, armrests, etc), are bubbled and rusted. Even the exhaust has rust.

1) Should I not have covered the bike
2) Suggested remedies, without replacing all these parts!

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and experience

WaddlingThunder

[harvey01]

I certainly would contact the dealer and try to have the parts replaced under warranty. If he is hesitant to try, contact Honda directly.

[cihilb]

The problem with covering the bike in a high humidity climate is the that the moisture is trapped under the cover. If it's parked on gravel or grass, this makes it worse. The ground moisture is trapped by the cover. Most of the covers have "vents" but are ineffective if the moisture levels are high. I doubt that Honda will even consider the rust problem, since it is not a manufacturing defect.

[harvey01]

I certainly agree with cihib that it is possible for a cover to cause the problems as noted but I would only discuss that if the dealer brings it up, if the dealer and Honda refuse to fix the problem then if the cover was used per manufacturers discussions, I would chat with the cover maker reference the cost of replacing the parts.

I would suggest just show the dealer the problem and ask that you thought this motorcycle was designed to be outside in the elements.

Frankly any vehicle that is made to function outside shoul not do this unless left under this cover in bad conditions for a least a year.

[raven41951]

Regardless, a new bike should not rust this fast. I suspect something else is afoot! Go to dealer and Honda. Research the weather and find if there was any flooding/storm(s) that could initiate such a problem.

[Goldwinger365]

The high humidity combined with proximity to the coast of salt water can very rapidly cause rust. Depending on how close to the coast you are,if it was outside,under a cover, unfortunately Honda will not do anything for you. I'm surprised that the dealer that sold it to you didn't advise against the risks of storing under a cover,versus indoor storage, especially if your near a coast. Needless to say,what a horrible thing to discover,on any bike,let alone a brand new Wing. Best of luck getting repaired and some compensation for this.

[Viking]

The original poster has not returned since posting his first time in this thread. I was wondering if there was any possibility that the bike had been subjected to submersion from the Hurricane that had passed through there just prior to his posting, but since he never came back, I cannot ask.

[Stew]

It's been raining for several days at my place and last night I went into the garage where my Goldwing is parked. I glanced over at it and noticed there was condensation all over it like on the outside of a glass of ice water! My dirt bike and car are also in the garage and they were not like that, I was the strangest thing I've seen in a while, the Goldwing isn't covered or anything. I put a box fan in front of it on low speed and a couple hours later it was clear but I could see if it just sat like that where some stuff would start rusting. I will make sure to keep an eye on it during especially humid weather from now on.

[WaddlingThunder]

The original poster has not returned since posting his first time in this thread. I was wondering if there was any possibility that the bike had been subjected to submersion from the Hurricane that had passed through there just prior to his posting, but since he never came back, I cannot ask.

Sorry...I've been reading the posts. New to the forum, so wasn't sure how to reply. No, this was not part of the Hurricane. The rust occurred well before. I do live about 500 yards from the gulf however, and am afraid that the constant summer humidity under the cover did the damage.

[WingAdmin]

I would make sure you do a very thorough inspection of the bike, inside and out - because if there is rust all over the visible chrome, there's a very good chance that there is going to be corrosion on other parts as well - perhaps parts that may now impede the normal and safe operation of the bike.

[Ralf_CT]

I recall buying a 2-year-old BMW 316 in 1989. The entire metal bracket securing the rubber strip to the rear bumper had rusted away. I contacted BMW and they replaced the defective parts, not under warranty but just because it was unacceptable for the product to fail so soon.

Your issue is definitely not what Honda had in mind when they designed their flagship, they will in all likelihood honour your claim, if only as a matter of pride.

[cihilb]

I would make sure you do a very thorough inspection of the bike, inside and out - because if there is rust all over the visible chrome, there's a very good chance that there is going to be corrosion on other parts as well - perhaps parts that may now impede the normal and safe operation of the bike.

I agree with the thorough inspection, especially the brake parts. Though they are no steel, the aluminum calipers are prone to corrosion in high humidity (salty) environment. And the electrical connectors. Salt air is hard on a lot of the parts.
The fact that the bike was very near the ocean water, probably accelerated the rust problem being covered for a long period of time.

[Fatboy46]

In Jacksonville, 1969, my new VW got a rock chip. In 2 days it was rusted!!.. Salt will eat up metal.. Florida is surrounded by salt water... ride in FL, wash your bike.. let it dry or do the blower thing to dry it off. keep it waxed.