Dull black head/cylinders

[FastFred]

Washed the bike other day, an 09 GS12 in mint condition. Now has 3200 miles on it and have done a 1000 miles in last 6 weeks that's all. Noticed the head/cylinders have gone dull as opposed to shiny two months ago. Bearing in mind it hasn't seen proper rain yet is this normal. Cleaned it with Hein Gericke power gel which is very bike friendly and then ordinary wash/wax. Bit disappointed as on this basis the paint will peel off first time it gets wet proper.
How are you supposed to clean around the cylinders and inside where the exhaust exits?

 

[cherokee]

Sdot 100

Is the bike cleaner i use,its great just spray the whole bike leave a while then hose off,Halfords do a cool sonic rotating brush for getting into those places like the the exhaust exits and between the fins.........Used that Mucoff stuff before on my 1150gsa and it tarnished the finish was a real barsteward to get off.......

 

[B-Road Explorer]

How are you supposed to clean around the cylinders and inside where the exhaust exits?

This brush is great:
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/ez-detail-brush/prod_480.html
Although that site describes it as a wheel-cleaning brush (for which it is pretty good), the manufacturers sell it as a motorcycle-cleaning brush. The packaging it comes in has a shot of a Hardly with about 20 of these brushes stuck into every difficult to reach nook on the bike. I bought mine for the car wheels but quickly found it works very well on my GS.

The brush really is quite flexible and the bristles do return to their original shape, I've been using it for a year or so and it's still going strong. This is not your ordinary car wheel brush.

 

[RickG]

Noticed the head/cylinders have gone dull as opposed to shiny two months ago. Bearing in mind it hasn't seen proper rain yet is this normal. Cleaned it with Hein Gericke power gel which is very bike friendly and then ordinary wash/wax. Bit disappointed as on this basis the paint will peel off first time it gets wet proper.
How are you supposed to clean around the cylinders and inside where the exhaust exits?

Other than suffering from OCD I've no idea why people are so keen on cleaning, but that's beside the point.

'ordinary wax/wash'? So this is that gunk that leaves a layer of wax on the surface after washing? And now you've got a dull finish.....

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

get some Motoex Protect and shine ,use it and stop frettin'

 

[FastFred]

dul...

Other than suffering from OCD I've no idea why people are so keen on cleaning, but that's beside the point.

'ordinary wax/wash'? So this is that gunk that leaves a layer of wax on the surface after washing? And now you've got a dull finish.....

I have other bikes that stay black and shiny after wash/wax Mr Know-it-all. People do have a right to want to keep things they have worked hard for in good condition as opposed to watching it turning to a pile of rust. Is that wrong?

Thanks for the helpful answers guys.

 

[fatbaldbob]

I agree with the don't wash it brigade, just becasue you don't clean it does not mean it will turn into a pile of shit? Cover it in ACF50 or similar and you need only wash it once a year before a fresh application. The bike will clean up better than one thats continually washed and you will have less chance of corrosion. I ride all through winter in all weathers with out so much as a rinse off and the bike comes up like new.

Personal choice I suppose but I would rather ride the bike than waste time cleaning it, it's supposed to be an adventure bike and the muckier the look the better.

 

[FastFred]

I can understnad that view. They are a kind of 'Landrover' bike i.e. they look good unwashed but after paying £9.5k and being a Yorkshireman that's too hard to do.. I probably need another cheaper bike for winter!
Have ordered some ACF-50 yesterday. Regards.