Noobie question: How do you wash your bike?

[dannenvance]

Well I finally bought my dream bike yesterday (my first bike ever) a Buell XB12scg with only 3k miles, in amazing shape. It dawned on me; I have no idea how to wash a motorcycle... Since they have more nooks & crevasses than the grand canyon plus fairly exposed wiring (compared to a car anyway) I need to know how to keep it clean the right way. Do you wash it at the car wash or use lower pressure garden hose? Can washing it hot hurt anything (block etc)? Since there are so many different surfaces what are the best products? Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[BurningExample]

buy yourself some Novus and get some good music and spend a day in the garage.

 

[oh9bolt]

There is quite a few opinions here.

Link [up]

I only spray detail my bike, and s100 engine brightener on the 09+ black motor.

 

[WALLSXB]

I wipe mine down after EVERY ride with a California duster. Big one for the frame/body work and a small one for the rims and also use a microfiber cloth to dry it off. The dirtier the duster gets the better it works and I've had my set since 1995. On sundays after our 300 mile "hard" rides I wash it to get all the bug guts off with my garden hose and and Meguiars car wash soap.[up]

 

[Mark XB12r]

Just dont wash it when hot, or with a pressure washer.

Other than that wash it just like you would your car...

wash it hard or as soft as you like, after a few times you will figure out what works for you.

Now this may seem like a dumb bit of advise, but DONT use any type of tire shine product on your tires. this makes things quite hairy when you turn...

 

[anrkizm95]

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/General-Motorcycle-Chat/Cleaning-your-bike

 

[Rhino1]

There is quite a few opinions here.

Link

I only spray detail my bike, and s100 engine brightener on the 09+ black motor.

This is what I do, but with ProtectAll or Honda Brite. I'll use WD40 on the wheels at times.

 

[oh9bolt]

Everyone with a 09+ try this on your motor and thank me after you do. If you havent tried it already of course.

I was surprised at how good it works, I will use this for the rest of my bikes life.

 

[TXgold]

use dawn blue origanal soap unless u wax it then use meguiers purple soap and wash ur balls to

 

[motoqueiro]

You dont
But that's me ... [up]

 

[Oldgit]

Tagging this for future reference

 

[blacksmith]

Good info here, thanks. And congrats to the OP on the bike.

 

[GOduc]

About every third ride it gets the bucket o suds. And in between those three rides it gets the rag and cleaner wipedown. My biggest pet peeve is a dirty bike. Especially the wheels, ill spend a lot of time fingering those hard to reach places. And I get in there all nice and deep like. When she moans I know I'm in the right place.

 

[canucklovingbrit]

I make sure the water pressure from the hose is low, and I don't aim it at the wheel bearings, electrics and clutch cable boot. Never had any issues, just a nice, shiny 12R!

 

[Oakes_86]

Armor all car wash (or whatever car wash I have at the time) and a textured sponge, and garden hose. Also use detail spray wax to wipe down if I don't wash it.

 

[Dingo]

same as myself..always a Handwash with cream soap...[up]

 

[Lesley]

I dry wash with a damp cloth. My bike has never seen a water hose. In all fairness though I do not have to ride my bike in inclement weather or on dirt roads [up] FYI I did just pass 35,000 mile marker

 

[snrusnak]

Dawn dish soap mixed with water in a spray bottle. Spray the whole bike down, rub/scrub the areas necessary, then hose down(low pressure) really well.

 

[vtech007]

Try Miracle Wash by AMSOil. Been using it for years. Waterless.

 

[marko138]

With a hose and a bucket. Meguires Gold Class car wash soap and a soft sponge. It's a motorcycle, water won't hurt it.