Bad rubber

cwb48 · February 15th, 2011, 01:18 PM

I don't know if it's just my bike or not, but does anyone else have an issue with rubber parts on their '08 or later 250R? When I replaced the windscreen I had to buy a bunch of those little rubber shrouded nuts, because the originals were cracked and wouldn't work properly. Then last year I replaced the rubber boot on the trip odometer button, and I noticed just yesterday that the new one is cracked! The boot on the lower end of the clutch cable is broken, and when I took the battery out this week, I saw that many of the rubber parts on the electrical cables were bad.

I know this stuff doesn't last forever, but geez, one year on the odometer button boot? I don't use any strange chemicals, and only wash it with Meguiars car wash.

Is there any treatment that will help?

bdavison · February 15th, 2011, 01:24 PM

Do you store your bike outside?
UV rays are the likely culprit, they degrade rubber pretty quickly.

The other item is phosphates, such as found in dishsoap.

randomwalk101 · February 15th, 2011, 01:25 PM

yup..cheap quality rubber used for sure.

cwb48 · February 15th, 2011, 01:26 PM

Yup, outside, but always with a cover, so I don't think that UV is the culprit. Besides, the paint and plastic are all perfect- no evidence of UV damage.

CC Cowboy · February 15th, 2011, 01:44 PM

You still have to treat the rubber often. I use armor all on everything that will crack and isn't waxed.

bdavison · February 15th, 2011, 01:48 PM

GRRR Armor All....
I cringe everytime I hear of someone using that garbage anywhere near a bike.

CThunder-blue · February 15th, 2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdavison

GRRR Armor All....
I cringe everytime I hear of someone using that garbage anywhere near a bike.

Being a newb to bikes, what should we be using? Most of my equipment is in excellent shape. I only ride when it's nice out and it's always garaged. I usually only wipe it down with a meguiar's detail spray. I'm pretty hesitant about spraying water inside.

cwb48 · February 15th, 2011, 03:44 PM

I've been using Pro Honda spray cleaner and polish for almost everything but the chain. It works great on plastic, and I can't imagine that Honda sells something that will damage rubber and recommends it for rubber on the can.

I think the problem is cheap rubber myself. Quality rubber parts usually last many years, and bikes I've owned in the past didn't have this issue.

llenta · February 15th, 2011, 04:45 PM

My vote is also for cheap rubber. I had to replace all those parts on my 08 ninja after about 2 years because they all cracked and started falling apart. My bike lived in the garage and I only rode when I wasn't raining.

CZroe · February 15th, 2011, 06:18 PM

My trip meter reset "rubber bulb" cracked all the way around and I got water in my gauges. My shift lever rubber boot is worn down to a cone shape with deep cracks allowing me to see the bar underneath quite plainly. My clutch cable's rubber boot is all cracked up and a large part is missing.

And, of course, my rubber well nuts are rotted away like everyone else.

cwb48 · February 16th, 2011, 09:39 AM

Glad I'm not the only one.

Ichiro · February 16th, 2011, 10:10 AM

303 Aerospace Protectant. Great product for UV protection.
http://www.303products.com/shop303/i...protectant.cfm

V2Neal · February 16th, 2011, 10:14 AM

Member: Rotten Nuts Club.

The rubber bits on these seem cheap. Ah well.

bdavison · February 16th, 2011, 11:44 AM

There are a few reasons i dont like armor all.
1. It has a tendancy to glaze paint. As careful as you are to keep it off paint, there is always some that tends to get where you dont want it.
2. If you use it on plastic, the polymers dry out in sunlight and turns it white.
3. If it gets anywhere near the tires...it can quickly cause loss of traction.
4. If used on seats, it will let your butt slide at the most inappropriate time....like when you are cornering and trying to hug the bike or get a knee down.
5. If you get it on instrument lenses or windshields, its nearly impossible to get off.
6. It collects dirt.
7. It creates horrible glare.

There are tons of other products out there that are good alternatives.
Lemon Pledge, or Plexus. Both are water based, and contain carnuba waxes. Used em for 20 years and never needed or wanted anything else. The only thing on the bike that you dont want to apply it to is the tires and brakes. Everything else is fair game.

bdavison · February 16th, 2011, 11:46 AM

Oh yeah...ditto on 303 aerospace. Just make sure you clean it real good with soapy (not dishsoap) water before applying.

February 15th, 2011, 01:18 PM	#1
cwb48 Mature motorcyclist Name: Chris Location: Sykesville, MD Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R, blue Posts: 126	Bad rubber I don't know if it's just my bike or not, but does anyone else have an issue with rubber parts on their '08 or later 250R? When I replaced the windscreen I had to buy a bunch of those little rubber shrouded nuts, because the originals were cracked and wouldn't work properly. Then last year I replaced the rubber boot on the trip odometer button, and I noticed just yesterday that the new one is cracked! The boot on the lower end of the clutch cable is broken, and when I took the battery out this week, I saw that many of the rubber parts on the electrical cables were bad. I know this stuff doesn't last forever, but geez, one year on the odometer button boot? I don't use any strange chemicals, and only wash it with Meguiars car wash. Is there any treatment that will help?

February 15th, 2011, 01:44 PM	#5
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	You still have to treat the rubber often. I use armor all on everything that will crack and isn't waxed. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

February 16th, 2011, 10:14 AM	#13
V2Neal Bad-ass 250 racer Name: Neal Location: Minnesnowta Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r, ATK 605, Honda CR250R Posts: 91	Member: Rotten Nuts Club. The rubber bits on these seem cheap. Ah well. __________________________________________________ CRA #28. Just wave as you go by!

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February 15th, 2011, 01:24 PM	#2
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	Do you store your bike outside? UV rays are the likely culprit, they degrade rubber pretty quickly. The other item is phosphates, such as found in dishsoap.

February 15th, 2011, 01:25 PM	#3
randomwalk101 self wrencher Name: john Location: houston Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 250r and 07 600r Posts: A lot.	yup..cheap quality rubber used for sure.

February 15th, 2011, 01:26 PM	#4
cwb48 Mature motorcyclist Name: Chris Location: Sykesville, MD Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R, blue Posts: 126	Yup, outside, but always with a cover, so I don't think that UV is the culprit. Besides, the paint and plastic are all perfect- no evidence of UV damage.

February 15th, 2011, 01:48 PM	#6
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	GRRR Armor All.... I cringe everytime I hear of someone using that garbage anywhere near a bike.

February 15th, 2011, 03:44 PM	#8
cwb48 Mature motorcyclist Name: Chris Location: Sykesville, MD Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R, blue Posts: 126	I've been using Pro Honda spray cleaner and polish for almost everything but the chain. It works great on plastic, and I can't imagine that Honda sells something that will damage rubber and recommends it for rubber on the can. I think the problem is cheap rubber myself. Quality rubber parts usually last many years, and bikes I've owned in the past didn't have this issue.

February 15th, 2011, 04:45 PM	#9
llenta ninjette.org member Name: Jeff Location: california Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Daytona 675 SE Posts: 30	My vote is also for cheap rubber. I had to replace all those parts on my 08 ninja after about 2 years because they all cracked and started falling apart. My bike lived in the garage and I only rode when I wasn't raining.

February 15th, 2011, 06:18 PM	#10
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	My trip meter reset "rubber bulb" cracked all the way around and I got water in my gauges. My shift lever rubber boot is worn down to a cone shape with deep cracks allowing me to see the bar underneath quite plainly. My clutch cable's rubber boot is all cracked up and a large part is missing. And, of course, my rubber well nuts are rotted away like everyone else.

February 16th, 2011, 09:39 AM	#11
cwb48 Mature motorcyclist Name: Chris Location: Sykesville, MD Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R, blue Posts: 126	Glad I'm not the only one.

February 16th, 2011, 10:10 AM	#12
Ichiro ninjette.org member Name: Ichiro Location: So.Cal. Long Beach. Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r(sold). 2013 Kymco Super8 150 Posts: 223	303 Aerospace Protectant. Great product for UV protection. http://www.303products.com/shop303/i...protectant.cfm

February 16th, 2011, 11:44 AM	#14
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	There are a few reasons i dont like armor all. 1. It has a tendancy to glaze paint. As careful as you are to keep it off paint, there is always some that tends to get where you dont want it. 2. If you use it on plastic, the polymers dry out in sunlight and turns it white. 3. If it gets anywhere near the tires...it can quickly cause loss of traction. 4. If used on seats, it will let your butt slide at the most inappropriate time....like when you are cornering and trying to hug the bike or get a knee down. 5. If you get it on instrument lenses or windshields, its nearly impossible to get off. 6. It collects dirt. 7. It creates horrible glare. There are tons of other products out there that are good alternatives. Lemon Pledge, or Plexus. Both are water based, and contain carnuba waxes. Used em for 20 years and never needed or wanted anything else. The only thing on the bike that you dont want to apply it to is the tires and brakes. Everything else is fair game.

February 16th, 2011, 11:46 AM	#15
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	Oh yeah...ditto on 303 aerospace. Just make sure you clean it real good with soapy (not dishsoap) water before applying.