How do you clean yours....

[Captain GSA]

Don't worry Captain GSA, I actually hope to get rid of my little case of OCD by making progressively longer rides. Anythying like a LWR/LWD trip however, is quite out of the question. That is partly because I don't have the means to have my bike trip sponsored by BMW or a large savings account or something.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure my mindset will change to a more modest cleaning rage. You may understand that I'm still in the overprotective mode since the GSA is exactly one month old, just had it's 600 miles service and even smells new.
And yes..... I currently avoid puddles !

Mate- I'm not having a pop....

I was very similar when I bought my 1150 GSA from new, along with all my other bikes that I have had....

Once you go on a long trip over a week or so, through all weathers, terrain etc. After you first ,second and third fall you start to realise that it's not really that important to go ott. Yes OCD does kick in, especially for cleaning your new expensive baby....

I was like you once, got out my 'Cleaning kit' (probably not 10 brushes though) and set to task spending hours getting my previous bikes to show room condition, jeez I even used cotton buds and tooth picks....

Don't get me wrong-clean your bikes properly, but as time and situations change and the bike has it's first off road outing or goes through a bit of mud, dust etc or you are on a touring holiday, things change...in time.

If you are like my mate though who will remain shameless as he is a 'tosser' on this site- he like you cleans his bike every single ride- takes him two hours every time.... Would never ride in a puddle let alone take it off road.

.......each to there own, what ever gives you pleasure......

ride safe

 

[GS Bloke]

Re: puddles, I had no choice yesterday, went out for a 70 mile ride through Beds and Cambs and went down a road that was flooded (Kimbolton).
Was about 6 inches deep, so I though I would wrap my legs around the tank and go for it, hee hee - forgot how blimmin wide the GSA tank and bits are, just managed to get then up on the 2nd attempt before being hit by a tidal wave.

 

[herrdirektor]

Mate- I'm not having a pop....

II was like you once, got out my 'Cleaning kit' (probably not 10 brushes though) and set to task spending hours getting my previous bikes to show room condition, jeez I even used cotton buds and tooth picks....


ride safe

Hey, Thanks Captain !

My cleaning kit, start counting the brushes:

Per cleaning frenzy, I spend no longer than 30 minutes.
The cleaning kit is not including the cloth for applying the silver polish to the chrome parts and shoe brush for the tires.

 

[Captain GSA]

Hey, Thanks Captain !

My cleaning kit, start counting the brushes:

Per cleaning frenzy, I spend no longer than 30 minutes.
The cleaning kit is not including the cloth for applying the silver polish to the chrome parts and shoe brush for the tires.

Hmmmm, we have good doctors in the UK for that...how about over there in Holland?

 

[herrdirektor]

Hmmmm, we have good doctors in the UK for that...how about over there in Holland?

Nah, we have all kinds of doctors here, but none specialized in treating OCD, related to supreme riding machines coming from the east.
I better take up my LWR/LWD DVD's this weekend again. Perhaps it will help a bit.
So, does anyone beat my Procycle Brush kit ? Bring it on, B@tch !

 

[(RIP) ugg]

Cover it in Pedigree chum, dog dose the rest

 

[Ali-bear]

Last time I washed mine (spray with hose, muc-off the bad bits, wash with sponge/brush and warm Carplan/triplewax stuff, rinse with hose, dry using cloth) I went for the obligatory look-how-clean-mine-is ride to fully dry it off.

By the time I got home it was dirtier than before I started.

 

[GS Bloke]

Cover it in Pedigree chum, dog dose the rest

Now there's an idea, although I would have to use Felix for the bottom half (for the cat) and Chocolate for the tophalf (for the missus).
And sit back and watch

 

[Surrey_gareth]

Re: puddles, I had no choice yesterday, went out for a 70 mile ride through Beds and Cambs and went down a road that was flooded (Kimbolton).
Was about 6 inches deep, so I though I would wrap my legs around the tank and go for it, hee hee - forgot how blimmin wide the GSA tank and bits are, just managed to get then up on the 2nd attempt before being hit by a tidal wave.

I tried to avoid a whole ammount of mud yesterday, but unfortunatly I had no choice but to ride through it...

Jetwashed the Fcuker at , along with my boots!

 

[Captain GSA]

I tried to avoid a whole ammount of mud yesterday, but unfortunatly I had no choice but to ride through it...

Jetwashed the Fcuker at , along with my boots!

I noticed you were riding off road with a tt screen extension....

 

[BikerBob]

Not seen anyone mention these people before:

http://www.bilthamber.com/index.html

The Auto-Balm is an excellent product and has some very impressive corrosion resisting properties. I wonder whether or not it would be successful at helping to maintain the finish on plain aluminium such as panniers?

Regards Bob

 

[Jonny_L]

Well, I'm sort of a cleaning freak, though I'll only clean it if it needs doing, and if I'm doing a job I might as well do it properly

Start on the wheels and frame with a bit of autoglym machine cleaner, give it a good scrub with a wheel brush. Bit of muc off to get the flys off the screen and beak, sometimes a bit of intensive tar remover on the wheels and stuff (be very careful there though!), then move onto the paintwork, screen and clocks with shampoo (autoglym again ). Hose it all down, dry, then if I'm in the mood I'll put some polish on the paint, and use some instant show shine on just about everything, bit of vinyl and rubber cleaner on the black plastics and grips, comes up a treat.

I went through an autoglym collecting phase a couple of years ago when I was regularly driving my very shiny Corrado. I'll happily take it out once it's clean and get it filthy again tho

The annoying thing is that my vehicles are never quite as clean as the day they get sold

 

[ncpierce]

The annoying thing is that my vehicles are never quite as clean as the day they get sold

Is that the day you buy them or sell them

Mine got covered with ACF50 in November and then just hosed down to keep it looking "clean" until Good Friday when I set to with the Autoglym bike cleaner and WD40 to remove the tar spots - spent about 3hrs cleaning the thing before riding it to the dealers to get a test ride on an 08 GS The clean bike is now residing in my parking space until it gets traded in this Friday

 

[miles away]

i use autoglym products, as i used to be a car valeter... i also use scottoiler fs365 once i've cleaned the bike. its (apologies if you already know!) a water oil mix that you spray into all the little nooks and crannies on the bike once you've cleaned it and blown it/wiped it dry. after you spray it, start up the bike and let it warm up. the fs365 evaporates and gets into all the bits you cant reach, displacing the water.. works really well.
i've also used mr sheen before on bike bodywork, works well at protecting body fom flys/insects. it stops them sticking..
hope this helps.

 

[zerocool]

bugger me!!!! 1-2 hours!!!!


try 20 - 30 mins tops.

COLD jet wash on the much areas avoiding bearings and gearbox (the paint will come off if you look at it let alone pressure wash it on the black models, silver is a little better).

If the bike is REALLY dirrty then get some Autoglym motorcycle cleaner (4lts for £24.99) and spray on liberally onto dirty areas and/or or car shampoo (hot water) if your tight.

I sometimes use alloy wheel cleaner on the wheels to disolve the road rubbish. This needs a scrubbing brush do pop to the sink and pinch something whilst the Mrs aint looking.

Jet wash off again.

At this point decide if you have some spare time, if not use a air compressor to blast any remaining water out of the calipers/discs and other undesirable areas, however if you do have time, leave it to dry and return to it for a good old ACF50ing down which can take a long time!!! For speed spray liberally over the bike avoiding brakes.

I try and leave the bike outside whilst supping a beer in front of TV or having laugh with mates as this means it can drip and air saving me time and effort, however keep your eye out for rain and it no doubt will.

ACF50 sometimes leave the bike gleaming but looking a little greasy so if you want a perfect finish then you need to autoglym it with their polish which is showroom finish when done. It doesnt last long though so recommend just ACF50.

Everybody has they own methods, mine takes usualy 20-30 mins and suits me perfect.

2 hours washing your bike each week is 2 hours riding wasted!!! Ride more, wash less and dont feel bad about it, its a BMW!!!

 

[Jonny_L]

Is that the day you buy them or sell them

Before I sell them. I always like to give them a huge clean before taking the advert pics or before they go to the next owner. One of my cars I'd never actually seen in such good condition, gave it the full autoglym valet treatment, took about 2 hours but it looked incredible in the end!

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Cleaning a GS

Mine is four years old nearly and is ridden practically every day. However it is nearly always kept in a warmish garage and there is really no sign of corrosion anywhere. It does get washed very occasionally and it comes up looking as good as new and evryone admires my new bike!

 

[Budweiser]

As a new 'Tosser' and owner of my first GSA I have really enjoyed reading this Thread - no rights or wrongs just do what suits you. Me, I use my bikes almost daily, I love night riding and don't care what the weather is doing (no ice). I also love keeping my bike clean. I am lucky being self employed I can ride and clean. Spent 5 hours the other day cleaning

 

[abrasion]

Where is Tarka when you need him?

 

[deaninkl]

I'm a bit wierd... but I actually like cleaning my bike... I like anything and everything about bikes and see cleaning it as a form of inspection.

I ride in all weathers but for me that just means extreme heat, and exterme heat with extreme rain.

My cleaning ragime is spray from a hose (not high pressure), bucket and sponge with any cheap car wash liquid, hose off the bubbles and wipe with old t'shirt/rag.. then wipe down with clean rag. Done.

I don't use wax or polish, or chrome cleaner accept maybe once a year if I'm really feeling like spoiling here, GS hasn't had the yet in 10 moths of ownership. Bike always looks good.

Anybody want to bring there bike to KL and I'll clean that too and give you a bacon sarny and coffe.