How to wash a bike - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Big Iron · 09-12-2005, 07:37 AM

A friend of mine gave me the best advice as far as washing/drying your bike. After the tedious job of washing is complete, go into the old garage and grab your leaf blower. That's right I said leaf blower, put blower on "medium" speed (try to avoid Mach 3) and procced to blow dry your bike. It cut down about 30 minutes of clean time allowing for an extra 30 minutes of ride time. My neighbor looked at me like I was nuts but later that day he was in the driveway with a brand new leaf blower and guess what he was using for.

Big Iron

Nexus242 · 09-12-2005, 07:52 AM

Okay, let's start this thread once again and assume we've all been washing and drying motorcycle for a very, very long time.

blitz · 09-12-2005, 11:56 AM

the water is so hard where I live that it will leave marks if I do not use a chami (sp?). takes me about 10min to wash and 20min to dry.

stp1971 · 09-12-2005, 12:15 PM

Try using Motowash,, it leaves a silicone coating on it which helps water sheen off of the bike. That way drying and the hard water deposits might not be a problem. Also I lived in Florida for years and the water there ALWAYS leaves a mineral deposit when it evaporates. Therefore washing and drying in the shade is a must!!!! Just lessons learned over the years.

nhoel · 09-12-2005, 12:32 PM

That's a very good idea... however, I still have to wax my bike to ensure that shine!!! My problem is when it's time to clean the handlebars (or being close to the cables)... Them plastic ties keep on scratching my hands... Yesterday, I corrected the problem by getting the kuryakyn clamps... Altough, it might have added a new problem for me... (more crome to apply that "never-dull" wax)

bodie27 · 09-12-2005, 07:48 PM

Really cleaning for me is very relaxing. I love the bike so its important to me to go over it with a fine tooth comb and the perfect time for that is when I'm washing it. Usually i give it a big wash after a big ride and just use a spray wash for the rest of the time. It lets me keep an eye on anything i've noted and you really do see things as they crop up. Plus if I'm not riding it or tinkering around with it, theres a limit to how long I can just look at it without wanting to do something.

09-12-2005, 07:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Big Iron Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50 Limited Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 38	How to wash a bike A friend of mine gave me the best advice as far as washing/drying your bike. After the tedious job of washing is complete, go into the old garage and grab your leaf blower. That's right I said leaf blower, put blower on "medium" speed (try to avoid Mach 3) and procced to blow dry your bike. It cut down about 30 minutes of clean time allowing for an extra 30 minutes of ride time. My neighbor looked at me like I was nuts but later that day he was in the driveway with a brand new leaf blower and guess what he was using for. Big Iron

09-12-2005, 07:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Nexus242 Can Ride And Chew Gum Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: yellow and black Location: Wide awake in dreamland... Posts: 1,935	Okay, let's start this thread once again and assume we've all been washing and drying motorcycle for a very, very long time. __________________ The killer in me is the killer in you My love I send this smile over to you...Smashing Pumpkins

09-12-2005, 11:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
blitz Clunked into first gear Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 233	the water is so hard where I live that it will leave marks if I do not use a chami (sp?). takes me about 10min to wash and 20min to dry. __________________ kuryakyn ISO grips, throttle boss, stilleto footpegs brake and shift cover, Saddleman bags, custom fender eliminator, missing badges, chrome tank trim, skulls&webs fender graphic, Xenon Blue Headlamp, Vance & Hines Straightshot pipes, EagleEye LED rear turn-signals...

09-12-2005, 12:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC / 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,833	Try using Motowash,, it leaves a silicone coating on it which helps water sheen off of the bike. That way drying and the hard water deposits might not be a problem. Also I lived in Florida for years and the water there ALWAYS leaves a mineral deposit when it evaporates. Therefore washing and drying in the shade is a must!!!! Just lessons learned over the years. __________________ Biketoberfest 2006 flashback courtesy of Intimid8er: "Like you knew damn well you shouldn't eat something like that, but all be damned to hell, you were gonna eat it!" __________________

09-12-2005, 12:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
nhoel Wants Better Weather Joined: Aug 2005 Bike: 2005 C50T Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 662	That's a very good idea... however, I still have to wax my bike to ensure that shine!!! My problem is when it's time to clean the handlebars (or being close to the cables)... Them plastic ties keep on scratching my hands... Yesterday, I corrected the problem by getting the kuryakyn clamps... Altough, it might have added a new problem for me... (more crome to apply that "never-dull" wax) __________________ Cash Only!!!

09-12-2005, 07:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
bodie27 Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50 Boulevard Location: Australian Posts: 295	Really cleaning for me is very relaxing. I love the bike so its important to me to go over it with a fine tooth comb and the perfect time for that is when I'm washing it. Usually i give it a big wash after a big ride and just use a spray wash for the rest of the time. It lets me keep an eye on anything i've noted and you really do see things as they crop up. Plus if I'm not riding it or tinkering around with it, theres a limit to how long I can just look at it without wanting to do something. __________________ Negative Ghostrider, the pattern is full

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