Cleaning Your Bike

[Jafdp]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a good cleaning method for the GS. I know for some it's a bit of a ritual. Does anyone use a high pressure washer? I'm tempted.

Has anyone fitted or can recommend a good fender extenda. The muck from the front wheel is not good this time of year.

Cheers

Dave

 

[(RIP) Boxertools]

Just got back from a ride & used my power washer.
If you use one, I would just be careful & spray from a distance or else it will remove the paint from the forks etc.
Before I went out I fitted a pyramid fender extenda from Nippy Norman, still crud everywhere, but I suppose it cuts it down a bit.

Mike.

 

[Reggie]

Hi Dave,

just got in from a ride over to Dazzers in deepest Yorkshire, so the bike's covered in s##t.

First I use my power washer (which is a basic B&Q special, so isn't very powerful. i keep way from any bearings and give it a going over. I then wash the bike with warm water (no probs as the powerwasher should have removed most of the salt) and a combined wash wax by Turtle Wax. I then wipe it down with a leather, constantly rinsing in warm clear water and I finally spray the bike (apart from the brakes) with Scott oilers protection spray.

Every now and then I give it a real going over by concentrating on all the nooks and crannys, with the aid of old tooth brushes (but that's a little anorak'ish!!!!).

Most important thing is to never use warm water when there's salt about, as all the warmth does is to disolve the salt, which then runs into places that you can't get to.

Regards

Reggie (AKA The Cameraman)

 

[andy1200]

In the winter it gets a daily hose down to rinse off the salt. Nothing fancy, just a bog standard Hozelock.

Then once a week a goodish wash with shampoo (non-wax) by hand and rinse off by hose. Hozelock do a neat brush attachment to do the wheels quickly (especially good if, like me, you have wire ones) and those fins. Some metal polish for the stubborn spots on the can, etc and that's it.

In the summer, can't say it gets washed that often. When it does, generally one of those spray on, hose off cleaners. Life's too short and all that.

Cheers

Andy

 

[spock]

spray on some "truck wash" then just power wash it off, but only do one part of your bike at a time,

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

I wouldn't use 'Truck Wash' - its very strongly alkaline.

After a year or so - you'll notice gradual degradation of all the parts.

Looks great for a while, but not long term. I know.......

power wash - yes but use carefully.

 

[shedracer]

The `Truck Wash` stuff we have at work is extremely good at getting grease, oil and road dirt off, but I wouldn`t touch my bike with it. As Motomartin says, it will ruin your bike over long term use.

I use Turtle wax shampoooooo and good old elbow grease. It takes time but bike still looks like its not long come out of showroom even after 8900 miles.

 

[IanM]

Sad, I know but I just can't help it

I use muck off or pro clean and then power washer once a week but keep away from bearings etc. Use AFC 50 after this almost everywhere except the brakes, although I do wipe the calipers with an impregnated rag.

After every ride in the winter I hose off with cold water using a portable garden spray followed by Scotoiler prep. to make sure the salt is removed.

 

[Deadskin]

Pro Clean

Hmmm Lovely
.

 

[MikeO]

I seem to remember Bakerman telling me that the reason his Tobinators had changed colour from their original black to purple was the use of Muc-Off...

Mike

 

[BAKERMAN]

I seem to remember Bakerman telling me that the reason his Tobinators had changed colour from their original black to purple was the use of Muc-Off...

Mike

Also eat into electrics, on last GS, I`m sure as, I used the stuff a lot.

Theres a YELLOW and a PURPLE one.

Purple doesn`t seem as harmfull,

Try mixing it 75/25 with water, also make sure bike is wet.

 

[(RIP) Geriatric Germ]

No good asking me, I don't do clean!

but Big Trailbike Rider must have a few thoughts on the subject

 

[(RIP) Geriatric Germ]

Silly me.



This, after an hour with Furry Lickwid, a Tooth Brush, and ordinerry 'ose pipe.

 

[shedracer]

Furry lickwid by the way has salt in it!

 

[Shep]

Oops, I've been using Pro Clean for a couple of years now, is there a problem with this product?

Regards Shep

 

[Stanley Knife]

Would recommend WURTH Motorcycle wash,brings the paintwork on my Vespa up a treat but I have avoided using it on the paint on the GS just in case, but works well eveywhere else.

Says on the bottle that you should always hose down the bike first and never let it dry in.

 

[Fugglestick]

Clean Bikes

The best stuff Ive used is Fenwicks Motor home cleaner and then their rinse aid. Makes cleaning after that a piece of cake.

Dont use washing up liquid or other commercial detergents. They are usually heavily alkaline and will ruin the finish.

Fuggs

 

[GSmonkey]

I've just started using the mucoff (purple) stuff. I've been spaying it all over as a general bike cleaner, always after hosing the bike down. Is there a history of this stuff destroying the finish??

Think I'll start watering it down as a precaution anyway.