How clean should a bike be? - Page 2 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

DragonRider · 04-26-2007, 10:05 AM

I clean mine if I have the time and the sun is shining. 20 mins, soap it down ,hose it off, dry it with a towel. But invariably when I do wash it I get caught in the rain,the same day.

Hahahaha.

kay · 04-26-2007, 10:18 AM

I hardly wash my bikes.

But that because every time I ride, I wipe off the dirt, bugs, whatever before I put it back.

So it remains clean even without the washing.
Sometimes, I don't have the time so I tuck the bike away without wiping, but then I go back the following day to finish off where I left.
I even wipe the wheels before all that brake sludge gets piled up.

Not that I'm a cleaning freak or anything. It's just seems easier that way, at least for me. (Hate washing!!)

Then only once in a while, I would wax it and really wash it.

I heard those bugs are really damaging to the paint too.

Ext1jdh · 04-26-2007, 10:47 AM

I usually give Winona a good detail job - wash, clean out all the fiddly bits, 2 coats of wax - once or twice a year. I might hose her down if I cant see anything in the mirrors or if I'm about to mod.

themeatmanlandry · 04-26-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ext1jdh

I usually give Winona a good detail job - wash, clean out all the fiddly bits, 2 coats of wax - once or twice a year. I might hose her down if I cant see anything in the mirrors or if I'm about to mod.

Who's Winona, and why can't she bathe herself and remove her own body hair? . . . I thought we were talking about bikes!

tigerdude77 · 04-27-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregR1

you every try using a pressure washer, or do you stick with a garden hose?

Pressure washer is fine for many things, but whatever you do, do NOT get close to the radiator. I have streaks all over mine after cleaning it with the pressure washer. It bent the fins(?) a lot and I can't get them completely straight again. It never occurred to me that it was capable of doing that, but it did.

Personally, I just use my garden hose on mine now.

=======
Edit: Can we get some pics of Winona while she's getting hosed down. I need visuals here.

GregR1 · 04-27-2007, 12:49 PM

ya, i think i'll stick to the garden hose as well. now all i gotta do is find a nozzle / gun that has a reservoir to let me mix [liquid] soap with the water flow.

themeatmanlandry · 04-27-2007, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerdude77

I have streaks all over mine after cleaning it with the pressure washer. It bent the fins(?) a lot and I can't get them completely straight again.

My dad has a comb that he uses to straighten the fins. I bet you could get one at the hardware store.

tigerdude77 · 04-27-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

My dad has a comb that he uses to straighten the fins. I bet you could get one at the hardware store.

Hmmmm? I hadn't thought of something like that. I guess it's some type of metal comb. I'm gonna try and find something like that. I hate it every time I look at my mistake on those fins.

kay · 04-27-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerdude77

Pressure washer is fine for many things, but whatever you do, do NOT get close to the radiator. I have streaks all over mine after cleaning it with the pressure washer. It bent the fins(?) a lot and I can't get them completely straight again. It never occurred to me that it was capable of doing that, but it did.

Personally, I just use my garden hose on mine now.

=======
Edit: Can we get some pics of Winona while she's getting hosed down. I need visuals here.

I bike friend warned me against using those pressure washers. Wow, so they ARE really damaging.

I'm glad I listened.

So who's Winona???

themeatmanlandry · 04-27-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerdude77

Hmmmm? I hadn't thought of something like that. I guess it's some type of metal comb. I'm gonna try and find something like that. I hate it every time I look at my mistake on those fins.

Yeah, I haven't seen it in a while, but I seem to remember it being a special-made comb like the one you use to get the nits out of a dog's hair. The hardware and/or parts store can probably hook you up for almost nothing.

BlueMax · 04-30-2007, 12:52 PM

I usually give my ride a good cleaning when the chrome pipes lose their shine. For me anyway there is nothing like the sparkle of clean pipes in the sun.

VolCntry · 04-30-2007, 01:17 PM

I actually keep mine as clean as possible. I take pride in my bike and I like keeping it looking good. It also gives me a chance to look over things to make sure nothing is broke, loose, etc.

karlfitt · 05-02-2007, 10:47 AM

I like keeping my bike clean.
My friend Gary (who I just bought my bike from) does not. Needless to say, the new ride needs a serious detailing.

More about the clean bikes, and Gary...
We go to Laguna Seca every year. On Sturdays we used to go into town (back when it was an AMA race only, before the first USGP) and do some seperate shopping.

i would always look for the local softball team, cheer squad doing a car was and get my bike cleaned. Then head back to the hotel.
When Gary returned it was always "He Gary, you bike looks like %$&#. Don't you ever clean it?"

wizman · 05-02-2007, 12:11 PM

Depends really, My bike gets a clean once a month, normally just a sponge n hose/pressure wash down, but the chain always gets full wash and re oiled. If Im doing a service on it, i will spend a bit longer cleaning it.
Definately not into the whole 'polishing thing', you can waste so much of your life out polishing when you could be out riding clicking up a few more miles.

Shiny bikes look great and all that but i dont have that kind of patience!

bodie27 · 05-07-2007, 03:25 AM

Its the first new vehical i have owned 2 wheels or 4 wheels, so i clean it and wax it weekly unless I'm feelin lazy. I mean all the chrome I bought for it wasn't to make it run better was it?

Apertureguy · 05-07-2007, 07:32 AM

OK...I admit it....on a sunny day, you need to be wearing shades in order to look directly at my bike.

kbsnow · 05-08-2007, 01:10 AM

I've spent to much time and money on Emma not to have her looking her best. I wipe down all the chrome at least once a week full cleaning every other week. And yes I do get to ride every now and then. Over 300 miles in the last week and that's with me living about 500ft from work.

SVZuki · 05-08-2007, 06:30 AM

I clean my M whenever she is dirty. I don't like having a dirty dull bike. Gotta let that chrome and blue shine!!

Dawgfan72 · 01-07-2008, 01:29 PM

Anyone ever use "Blackhawk Bike Cleaner"? I got it at wal-mart and it works pretty well. Just spray it on and wipe off, mostly amonia I think.

oyrider · 01-07-2008, 10:24 PM

Depending on your personality, cleaning your bike can be as therapeutic as riding it. I like a clean vehicle. Steve McQueen could have cared less.

04-26-2007, 10:47 AM	#23 (permalink)
Ext1jdh Top Gear ! Full Throttle! Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: Sold Location: Elgin, IL, US Posts: 5,222	I usually give Winona a good detail job - wash, clean out all the fiddly bits, 2 coats of wax - once or twice a year. I might hose her down if I cant see anything in the mirrors or if I'm about to mod. __________________ I am lurking. I am likely to be eaten by a grue.

04-30-2007, 12:52 PM	#31 (permalink)
BlueMax Found second gear by accident Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: Northeast Houston Posts: 308	I usually give my ride a good cleaning when the chrome pipes lose their shine. For me anyway there is nothing like the sparkle of clean pipes in the sun. __________________ Good luck and safe riding, BlueMax

05-07-2007, 03:25 AM	#35 (permalink)
bodie27 Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50 Boulevard Location: Australian Posts: 291	Its the first new vehical i have owned 2 wheels or 4 wheels, so i clean it and wax it weekly unless I'm feelin lazy. I mean all the chrome I bought for it wasn't to make it run better was it? __________________ Negative Ghostrider, the pattern is full

05-08-2007, 01:10 AM	#37 (permalink)
kbsnow Blah, blah, blah Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: color changer green '05 M50 Location: Gilbert ,AZ Posts: 722	I've spent to much time and money on Emma not to have her looking her best. I wipe down all the chrome at least once a week full cleaning every other week. And yes I do get to ride every now and then. Over 300 miles in the last week and that's with me living about 500ft from work. __________________ "Don't be so scared to die that you're afraid to live"

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04-26-2007, 10:05 AM	#21 (permalink)
DragonRider Clutch Cadet Joined: Jul 2006 Bike: 2006 Suzuki M50 Candy Grand Blue with 40,250 miles since May 18th 2006 Location: Tacoma ,Washington Posts: 917	I clean mine if I have the time and the sun is shining. 20 mins, soap it down ,hose it off, dry it with a towel. But invariably when I do wash it I get caught in the rain,the same day. Hahahaha.

04-26-2007, 10:18 AM	#22 (permalink)
kay Refrigerator Magnet Test Engineer Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: Kawasaki Zephyr750RS, Suzuki GSX-R600, Ducati 999S Location: Crappy Little Island!!! Posts: 3,650	I hardly wash my bikes. But that because every time I ride, I wipe off the dirt, bugs, whatever before I put it back. So it remains clean even without the washing. Sometimes, I don't have the time so I tuck the bike away without wiping, but then I go back the following day to finish off where I left. I even wipe the wheels before all that brake sludge gets piled up. Not that I'm a cleaning freak or anything. It's just seems easier that way, at least for me. (Hate washing!!) Then only once in a while, I would wax it and really wash it. I heard those bugs are really damaging to the paint too.

04-27-2007, 12:49 PM	#26 (permalink)
GregR1 ... Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,308	ya, i think i'll stick to the garden hose as well. now all i gotta do is find a nozzle / gun that has a reservoir to let me mix [liquid] soap with the water flow.

04-30-2007, 01:17 PM	#32 (permalink)
VolCntry In Training Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: 2006 Suzuki M-50 (Blue) Location: Tennessee (Knoxville Area) Posts: 141	I actually keep mine as clean as possible. I take pride in my bike and I like keeping it looking good. It also gives me a chance to look over things to make sure nothing is broke, loose, etc.

05-02-2007, 10:47 AM	#33 (permalink)
karlfitt Seat Tester Joined: May 2007 Bike: BMW R 1100 RSL Location: Colorado Posts: 76	I like keeping my bike clean. My friend Gary (who I just bought my bike from) does not. Needless to say, the new ride needs a serious detailing. More about the clean bikes, and Gary... We go to Laguna Seca every year. On Sturdays we used to go into town (back when it was an AMA race only, before the first USGP) and do some seperate shopping. i would always look for the local softball team, cheer squad doing a car was and get my bike cleaned. Then head back to the hotel. When Gary returned it was always "He Gary, you bike looks like %$&#. Don't you ever clean it?"

05-02-2007, 12:11 PM	#34 (permalink)
wizman Where Am I ? Joined: Apr 2007 Bike: Please sir, can i have some more? Location: Kent. U.K. Posts: 44	Depends really, My bike gets a clean once a month, normally just a sponge n hose/pressure wash down, but the chain always gets full wash and re oiled. If Im doing a service on it, i will spend a bit longer cleaning it. Definately not into the whole 'polishing thing', you can waste so much of your life out polishing when you could be out riding clicking up a few more miles. Shiny bikes look great and all that but i dont have that kind of patience!

05-07-2007, 07:32 AM	#36 (permalink)
Apertureguy Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 3,050	OK...I admit it....on a sunny day, you need to be wearing shades in order to look directly at my bike.

01-07-2008, 01:29 PM	#39 (permalink)
Dawgfan72 Seat Tester Joined: Jan 2008 Bike: '02 V-Star 1100 Classic, slightly scarred Location: Dallas,GA Posts: 66	Anyone ever use "Blackhawk Bike Cleaner"? I got it at wal-mart and it works pretty well. Just spray it on and wipe off, mostly amonia I think.

01-07-2008, 10:24 PM	#40 (permalink)
oyrider In Training Joined: May 2007 Bike: 06 M50, 06 Ducati ST3s, 07 Honda cbr600rr Location: SoCal Posts: 114	Depending on your personality, cleaning your bike can be as therapeutic as riding it. I like a clean vehicle. Steve McQueen could have cared less.

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