Washing your bike - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

bm50Chapin · 12-29-2007, 03:50 PM

Alright everyone has their own special way of doing it themselves. Lets hear yours; What products do you use, How long do you go between washings etc....

palanon · 12-29-2007, 04:11 PM

If the bikes really dirty, I'll go outside during a rain storm, soap it up, let the rain rinse it off. I'm not kidding.

If there's no rain, I'll take it to a self car wash and spray it down. Then ride it dry. Maybe wax twice a year.

I really subscribe to the " if you have time to wash and wax, you could be riding " group.

bm50Chapin · 12-29-2007, 04:17 PM

I agree with that motto; however, after about 4 months I think it's finally come time to go back and spend a few hours detailing her back from grey to black.

palanon · 12-29-2007, 04:26 PM

That's OK. As long as your riding day is done, you have an adult beverage of choice in hand, and some good tunes playing.

I just hope I never get to the point that wheeling a bike out of the garage and detailing it constitutes a good day.

I have in-laws that do that. If they detail the bike and ride to the local bar, it's news worthy conversation for the next 3 months.

Thundurburd · 12-29-2007, 04:40 PM

I think I only washed my bike 3 times last summer. Soaped it up with car soap, rinsed it off, blew it dry with a leaf blower, and then wiped it down with a soft towel. Put a little wax on the painted parts and that was it. Still haven't done anything special with the chrome.

The best tip I got was the leaf blower idea from one of the guys at the BRC. It cost $26 at Walmart and it really does a good job.

[Edit] BTW I use Zymol Cleaner Wax, the same as what I use on the car.

frostbitevinnie · 12-29-2007, 07:38 PM

I wash my bike every sat. or sun morning with wizards bike wash. I do it in the morning to avoid direct sun. I then take it out for a 15 min highway ride. I think I polished the chrome twice last season. Once after I bought it and again after my son covered everything with paint overspray. A friend of mine does use a leaf blower and she says it's great. Think I will pick one up myself.

**Clint** · 12-29-2007, 09:07 PM

I wash it like a car after long rides, and use detailer in between. You'll find several threads on this in the Eye Candy forum.

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Rickster · 12-29-2007, 09:31 PM

When I'm full, I crap.
When the bikes dirty I wash it.
What's the big deal?

SNAFU · 12-29-2007, 11:08 PM

Just washed it the other day, the problem is all the water froze before I got a chance to dry it and now there's icicles hanging off of everything.

J/K. Feeling some riding withdrawals. *sigh*

I use Mothers car wash and wax and 3M chrome polish. Only wash it when it gets dirty but just wipe down if there are lots of dead bugs after a highway ride.

Gixxerman · 12-30-2007, 06:51 AM

.:: The Official Muc-Off Cleaning Site ::.

Love these products

CaptCrashIdaho · 12-30-2007, 08:17 AM

I just use the Suzuki or Honda brand bike wash. Get the bike wet, spray it on, rinse it off. Works great.

ONE HINT: If you have a bike that you can get up on race stands (pit bull, whatever) or somekind of hydraulic stand then it's MUCH easier to do maintenance like cleaning your wheels because you can spin the wheels freely and get into the nooks and crannies.

Alex13 · 12-30-2007, 10:43 AM

I wash mine almost every Sunday. Well used to, can't legally do that with Georgia's drought and all.

When I do wash it I use Mr. Clean auto dry. Works great! So quick and easy just spray it and watch it dry! No streaks or little towel fuzzies!

MikeHump · 12-30-2007, 12:04 PM

Well, right now my bike is in the shop getting fixed because someone hit me, but before I brought it in I'd use some Meguiar's cleaner-wax 2-3 times a week. It's garaged, and I don't ride it in the rain, so I've never actually washed it though.

themeatmanlandry · 12-31-2007, 08:00 AM

-Just like I wash a car
-Only when absolutely necessary (I'd rather be riding)

KD57 · 12-31-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

-Just like I wash a car
-Only when absolutely necessary (I'd rather be riding)

POE-BOY SAMICH · 12-31-2007, 08:21 AM

I use some water, a bucket, a wash-mitt, and a wash/wax blue liquid soap I buy from walmart.

Wash, rinse, and blow-dry most of the wet with my leaf blower, then finish the drying job with a micro-fiber towel.

I don't wash it too often though.

I wax the bike maybe 3x a year using Mothers.

jprisme · 12-31-2007, 10:15 PM

use car wash and a chamois. wax every once in a while or when i see hairline scratches.. dam black parts.

G51000 · 01-02-2008, 09:35 AM

Hmmmm-- ride er thru ah creek ???

Texas Bound

JmalB · 01-04-2008, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

-Just like I wash a car
-Only when absolutely necessary (I'd rather be riding)

Seriously detracts from riding time. Although my whindshield is starting to be not so see thru...

BlueMax · 01-10-2008, 09:27 AM

I use a bucket with distilled water and two clean shop towels (one to wet the other to dry). By cleaning weekly it only takes about 20 minutes to have Max clean and ready to ride.

12-29-2007, 03:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
bm50Chapin Ditch Magnet Joined: Apr 2007 Bike: Suzuki 05' Boulevard M50 Black Location: Carthage, Missouri. Posts: 163	Washing your bike Alright everyone has their own special way of doing it themselves. Lets hear yours; What products do you use, How long do you go between washings etc.... __________________ You must consider everything, before you can consider anything.

12-29-2007, 04:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
palanon No Significant Other Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: 2003 Bandit 1200S Location: Newmarket, NH Posts: 2,308	If the bikes really dirty, I'll go outside during a rain storm, soap it up, let the rain rinse it off. I'm not kidding. If there's no rain, I'll take it to a self car wash and spray it down. Then ride it dry. Maybe wax twice a year. I really subscribe to the " if you have time to wash and wax, you could be riding " group. __________________ " In the name of the Speedo, the Tach and the Holy Throttle, amen. "

12-29-2007, 04:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
bm50Chapin Ditch Magnet Joined: Apr 2007 Bike: Suzuki 05' Boulevard M50 Black Location: Carthage, Missouri. Posts: 163	I agree with that motto; however, after about 4 months I think it's finally come time to go back and spend a few hours detailing her back from grey to black. __________________ You must consider everything, before you can consider anything.

12-29-2007, 04:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
palanon No Significant Other Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: 2003 Bandit 1200S Location: Newmarket, NH Posts: 2,308	That's OK. As long as your riding day is done, you have an adult beverage of choice in hand, and some good tunes playing. I just hope I never get to the point that wheeling a bike out of the garage and detailing it constitutes a good day. I have in-laws that do that. If they detail the bike and ride to the local bar, it's news worthy conversation for the next 3 months. __________________ " In the name of the Speedo, the Tach and the Holy Throttle, amen. "

12-29-2007, 04:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Thundurburd Foil Inspector Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2007 Black S50 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 953	I think I only washed my bike 3 times last summer. Soaped it up with car soap, rinsed it off, blew it dry with a leaf blower, and then wiped it down with a soft towel. Put a little wax on the painted parts and that was it. Still haven't done anything special with the chrome. The best tip I got was the leaf blower idea from one of the guys at the BRC. It cost $26 at Walmart and it really does a good job. [Edit] BTW I use Zymol Cleaner Wax, the same as what I use on the car. __________________ Like Roseanne Roseannadanna would say: "it just goes to show you, it's always something." Last edited by Thundurburd; 12-29-2007 at 04:48 PM.

12-29-2007, 07:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
frostbitevinnie No Significant Other Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 07' C90T 76' MT250 Location: 3rd house NW of the Depot Posts: 2,427	I wash my bike every sat. or sun morning with wizards bike wash. I do it in the morning to avoid direct sun. I then take it out for a 15 min highway ride. I think I polished the chrome twice last season. Once after I bought it and again after my son covered everything with paint overspray. A friend of mine does use a leaf blower and she says it's great. Think I will pick one up myself. __________________ "People are more violently opposed to fur than leather, because it's easier to harass rich women than Bikers..." ---Unknown

12-29-2007, 09:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rickster Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 2,914	When I'm full, I crap. When the bikes dirty I wash it. What's the big deal? __________________ Ever notice that the person telling you to calm down, is the same one that got you worked up in the first place. 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2005 DL1000 V Strom (sold) 2004 Twin Peaks 700 2003 KTM 525 EX/C (for sale) 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

12-29-2007, 11:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
SNAFU Leaned over, knee down Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: '06 M50 Black Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 4,779	Just washed it the other day, the problem is all the water froze before I got a chance to dry it and now there's icicles hanging off of everything. J/K. Feeling some riding withdrawals. sigh I use Mothers car wash and wax and 3M chrome polish. Only wash it when it gets dirty but just wipe down if there are lots of dead bugs after a highway ride. __________________

12-30-2007, 08:17 AM	#11 (permalink)
CaptCrashIdaho Clunked into first gear Joined: Sep 2007 Bike: Suzuki DrZ400SM Location: SW Idaho Posts: 215	I just use the Suzuki or Honda brand bike wash. Get the bike wet, spray it on, rinse it off. Works great. ONE HINT: If you have a bike that you can get up on race stands (pit bull, whatever) or somekind of hydraulic stand then it's MUCH easier to do maintenance like cleaning your wheels because you can spin the wheels freely and get into the nooks and crannies. __________________ I meant to do that.... For more go to http://www.youtube.com/CaptCrashIdaho

12-30-2007, 10:43 AM	#12 (permalink)
Alex13 Fender Buffer Joined: Sep 2007 Bike: 2007 Boulevard M50 (Black) Location: Stockbridge, GA Posts: 442	I wash mine almost every Sunday. Well used to, can't legally do that with Georgia's drought and all. When I do wash it I use Mr. Clean auto dry. Works great! So quick and easy just spray it and watch it dry! No streaks or little towel fuzzies!

12-30-2007, 12:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
MikeHump Found second gear by accident Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2007 GSXR 600 Location: Tracy, CA Posts: 345	Well, right now my bike is in the shop getting fixed because someone hit me, but before I brought it in I'd use some Meguiar's cleaner-wax 2-3 times a week. It's garaged, and I don't ride it in the rain, so I've never actually washed it though.

12-31-2007, 08:00 AM	#14 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Banned Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	-Just like I wash a car -Only when absolutely necessary (I'd rather be riding)

12-31-2007, 08:21 AM	#16 (permalink)
POE-BOY SAMICH U.B's LoveChild Joined: Dec 2005 Bike: '07 Harley Road King Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,212	I use some water, a bucket, a wash-mitt, and a wash/wax blue liquid soap I buy from walmart. Wash, rinse, and blow-dry most of the wet with my leaf blower, then finish the drying job with a micro-fiber towel. I don't wash it too often though. I wax the bike maybe 3x a year using Mothers. __________________ http://www.lonestarmotorcyclealliance.com/

12-31-2007, 10:15 PM	#17 (permalink)
jprisme Ditch Magnet Joined: Dec 2007 Bike: gsxr 1000 2007 Location: los angeles Posts: 174	use car wash and a chamois. wax every once in a while or when i see hairline scratches.. dam black parts.

01-02-2008, 09:35 AM	#18 (permalink)
G51000 Newbie Joined: Dec 2007 Bike: 79 MotoGuzzi G-5 / 72 MotoGuzzi Eldorado. Location: Spokane WA. Posts: 23	Hmmmm-- ride er thru ah creek ??? Texas Bound Last edited by G51000; 01-02-2008 at 09:38 AM.

01-10-2008, 09:27 AM	#20 (permalink)
BlueMax Found second gear by accident Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: Northeast Houston Posts: 313	I use a bucket with distilled water and two clean shop towels (one to wet the other to dry). By cleaning weekly it only takes about 20 minutes to have Max clean and ready to ride. __________________ Good luck and safe riding, BlueMax

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