My first m/c was a Suzuki SV650, then a Honda Pan Eoropean ST1300 and currently a Suzuki VSTrom DL 650. Now I'm drooling after a CrossRunner. In the UK climate with salt on roads in winter, some common problem with my other bikes were:
Corrosion of dissimilar metals, especially bolt holes, bolt heads, exhaust flanges touching frame or Aluminium parts, top box and fairing mounting points (if using metal screws).
My remedy was to fit stainless hardware throughout, and where blind frame mountings or rivet bolts could not be easily changed I used a very soft loctite compound to seal the threads from damp and salt ingress. This involved on each of my 'bikes doing a strip down and reassembly of anything with a thread that could be exposed to UK weather. I also liberally greased all bearing seal surfaces after each wash down.
Is any of this necessary on a CrossRunner? What quality are all the fixings? Stainless? Have all mild steel mounting point threads been sealed? Any rust developing anywhere? Has anyone done a thorough strip down and longevity assesment? What quality are the bearings and bearing seals? Especially your comments about headstock bearings and weatherproofing of switchgear etc. are welcome.
I currently live in Corfu where salting the roads is never needed, although repairs to potholes would definitely make the roads safer :-). The purchase of a CrossRunner in the UK will coincide with my family's return as soon as we sell our Villa in Corfu.
Thanks,
Rob