So,when exactly did Honda quality go in the toilet?

[dave]

I agree with FLYTYM. My 2014 Dlx is experiencing rust more than any bike I have ever owned. I too live in S. California, and my bike is stored in the garage. It has been drizzled on only twice since I have owned it, and I wiped the water off as soon as I put the bike in the garage. I have experienced rust on the rear shock springs and shaft, handlebars, oil lines, ABS rotors, and fork tubes. The fork tubes actually started to pit. Don't get me wrong. I still love this bike and I don't mean to be critical, I am just stating the facts.

[Stichill_imp]

Maybe I'm weird, but when small bits start to corrode and can't be cleaned or polished...I just replace them with new. So much cheaper than a new bike, and keeps your ride looking showroom-fresh.

[Gone in 60]

Funny that you mention the oil cooler lines. I've had a little surface oxidation on those tubes on just about every air/oil-cooled Honda I've owned going back years. It's nothing new. But, I hate to see oxidation or corrosion, so when I polish my header pipes, I reach through with the polish rag and give those tubes a wipe-down.

You have to figure that the front of the engine catches everything, including any moisture in the air.

[Stichill_imp]

Good stuff for rubbing corrosion off metal quickly and easily:

[Rocky_imp]

Good stuff for rubbing corrosion off metal quickly and easily:

I agree completely. I'm never without some.
I live squarely on the Atlantic Ocean and even though my bikes are in a garage during the summer, the salty air has its way and I have to watch for surface corrosion.
The CB hasn't had any in seven summers, but a couple of the others need attention once in a while.

[michael1954]

Maybe I'm weird, but when small bits start to corrode and can't be cleaned or polished...I just replace them with new. So much cheaper than a new bike, and keeps your ride looking showroom-fresh.

That is exactly what I am doing with my new 2014 DLX. Sat under a tarp 6 years, and with only 201 miles, I know all the rust was from neglect. But, I am sure replacing a lot of parts. Will be a new bike when I am through, with about 350 miles on it now.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Maybe I'm weird, but when small bits start to corrode and can't be cleaned or polished...I just replace them with new. So much cheaper than a new bike, and keeps your ride looking showroom-fresh.

That is exactly what I am doing with my new 2014 DLX. Sat under a tarp 6 years, and with only 201 miles, I know all the rust was from neglect. But, I am sure replacing a lot of parts. Will be a new bike when I am through, with about 350 miles on it now.

That is exactly what I am doing with my new 2014 DLX. Sat under a tarp 6 years, and with only 201 miles, I know all the rust was from neglect. But, I am sure replacing a lot of parts. Will be a new bike when I am through, with about 350 miles on it now.
Yeah, when under a tarp it needs to "breath" to release the trapped moisture. Some motorcycle-specific covers breath, but cost a bit more.

[Rox_imp]

Haven't had rust issues on mine. Im in Arizona where we have humidity from the monsoons. If any issues it's getting the hard water stains off the chrome. But no rust.

I haven't noticed any decline in quality from Honda. Especially the Made In Japan stuff.

[the Ferret]

Maybe I'm weird, but when small bits start to corrode and can't be cleaned or polished...I just replace them with new. So much cheaper than a new bike, and keeps your ride looking showroom-fresh.

That is exactly what I am doing with my new 2014 DLX. Sat under a tarp 6 years, and with only 201 miles, I know all the rust was from neglect. But, I am sure replacing a lot of parts. Will be a new bike when I am through, with about 350 miles on it now.

That is exactly what I am doing with my new 2014 DLX. Sat under a tarp 6 years, and with only 201 miles, I know all the rust was from neglect. But, I am sure replacing a lot of parts. Will be a new bike when I am through, with about 350 miles on it now.
The stuff you are taking off is probably better than the stuff that's ON my bike lol

[tj_gee_imp]

My '13 was stored in a garage since new and when I bought it from the original owner last year it had specks of rust on the chrome bits. It sucks, but it isn't a deal breaker. I still enjoy the bike for trips around town.