How do you keep you pride and joy looking good?

[conceptninja]

Lets be honest none of us here buy the GS for its ease of cleaning, it is a pain to keep clean. But when you are riding it you can't see how dirty it is

Whilst following this thread I tried the oxford mint stuff, and its not great at all sadly, I had high hopes for it but it just doesn't perform, it dries quite quickly (yes even when the bike is already wet), and the crash bars didn't like it either, but the marks did come off once I scrubbed it a bit more.

I'm going to try SDOC next time, so when I clean it next hopefully it will good.

ride safe people.

 

[Hartley]

The Oxford Mint stuff didn’t score very well in the Bennett’s test only got 4/10 for removing muck.
I saw the Motorverde bike wash in a shop the other day, scored pretty well all round so I got a bottle to try.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Has anyone used the BMW product below, I guess that would definitely be safe on BMW bikes....

BMW Motorrad Motorcycle Cleaner Fluid

Yes have some of this it is good, it reminds me of the sdoc stuff /greentec the way it foams etc who knows it might be the same product. I would say its good, for the nooks and crannies, wheels etc spray, leave then use a wet brush, I tend to use soap and water and a sponge on bigger areas, seats, tank etc.

 

[Engineer]

I cannot believe how difficult this bike is to clean.
It's by far the best motorcycle I have owned, but it is such a complicated thing to clean. I previously owned a triumph explorer so I can make the comparison and the BMW is many times more involved for cleaning.
Recently spent 4 hours cleaning it and I reckon it needs another wash and another 3 hours on the bits that got missed. ��

Strange I find it a really easy bike to clean, however I tend to use FS365 all year round and I think this makes the bike much easier to wash clean??????

 

[Engineer]

"Choosing the right cleaning products using the pH scale
What is important to remember about cleaning is that at its most elementary level, it is an attempt to neutralise the impact of acidic or alkaline ions in a stain or soiling. So if you wish to clean a soil that is acidic, you should use an alkaline cleaning product, and vice-versa.

Most common stains and soils are acidic, and thus the majority of cleaning products are formulated to be alkaline. As we all know, pure water is ‘neutral’ with a pH of 7, and cleaning products with a pH close to 7, such as washing-up liquid, baking soda and hand wash, are not usually regarded as being harmful to the skin."

So I do not see how an cleaner with a PH of 7 can be any more effective than water - chemistry innit

However washing up liquid is going to be my choice from now on as it is so cheap and all the bollox about causing corrosion because it has salt in it is just that, bollox

 

[Barnoe]

If like me you do 2 washes everytime you wash
well its actually 3 if you do a pre wash with snow foam etc

use your salty/acidic/alkaline products on the first wash, then the Ph7 cleaner of choice last to rise all clean
none left on bike, should work

 

[yofi]

I do not see how an cleaner with a PH of 7 can be any more effective than water - chemistry innit

Because it has surfactants - your APC does not aim to neutralise acids (though most APCs are a slightly alkaline 7, rather than being dead on 7), it aims reduce surface tension and break down the barrier to removing crud. That is why APC is more effective than water, and is usually all you need to wash a car or bike, bar that oil filth around the rear wheel.

Basic chemistry, innit.

 

[wpm]

Best to use Filtered water when washing your bike, Ii use the crystals that the window cleaner's use and all the salts etc are filtered out. I use PH neutral snow foam then blow dry then ACF 50 the bike and I have done this with all my bikes especially the Harley's and now the GSA, Triumph Bobber and Triumph Scrambler never had an issue and the bIkes look fantastic afterwards.
Granted I never go off road but I do ride all year round and in all weathers on one or the other.

I apply the ACF with a small compressor and an air gun so it mists all over the bike. Obviously excluding the brakes and tyres.

 

[_Tim_]

What are folks using on the matte finish black spoked wheels, to keep the black finish looking black? I've new to a GS (had two RTs before) and therefore this type of paint finish. My usual snow foam and wash mit and a really good rinse has still left the wheels with a whiteish residue.

 

[Blue]

I have used Rhino Goo for years for Dirt Bikes and Road Bikes Cheaper than Sdoc 100 and better than Muc off never had any problems with marking, staining or rust light coat of ACF 50 now and then job done

 

[DING-DONG]

I have used Rhino Goo for years for Dirt Bikes and Road Bikes Cheaper than Sdoc 100 and better than Muc off never had any problems with marking, staining or rust light coat of ACF 50 now and then job done

Sdoc is good but 5L is £80 so just bought 2x5L of rhino goo for £27 delivered.

Thanks for the info

 

[Blue]

Sdoc is good but 5L is £80 so just bought 2x5L of rhino goo for £27 delivered.

Thanks for the info

They always seem to have good deals on for it.

 

[siddo]

What are folks using on the matte finish black spoked wheels, to keep the black finish looking black? I've new to a GS (had two RTs before) and therefore this type of paint finish. My usual snow foam and wash mit and a really good rinse has still left the wheels with a whiteish residue.

I just used Autoglym vinyl protector that I had laying around and they came up like new.

 

[leadfarmer]

Mine gets a jet wash a couple of times a year if it’s minging

otherwise Vulcanet wipes when I can actually be arsed to clean it, about once a year

 

[ilkleymoron]

Mine gets a jet wash a couple of times a year if it’s minging

otherwise Vulcanet wipes when I can actually be arsed to clean it, about once a year

these or fairy liquid and the two bucket method

sdoc - just a snake oil product - never ever did what it says it was going to do depite following the instructions to the letter and expensive

 

[malcopopolo]

There was an article I read and it said the best cleaner was aldi washing up liquid. Only a little. As long as the bike is rinsed it will not rust your bike.

 

[Fluffmeister]

For cleaning the Matt Paint after washing (I’m a big user of Rhino Goo) this is the best I have found, I’m using it on my V7 Stone 850 which is black, black, and a bit black

Leaves the finish, Matt, mark free and water seems to bead almost like it’s waxed. I’ve tried a few others but this has been the best and lasts well too.

Matte Paint Cleaner - PH Neutral - Salt Free - Acid Free - 500ml | DrDownpipe

PREMIUM PRODUCT - Salt Free - Acid Free - PH Neutral Specially formulated for matt or denim paint, this quick solution cleans and protects the matt finish on your motorcycle. Our cleaner will not streak or leave marks on your matt finish. Spray and wipe with a soft cloth such as a microfibre...

www.drdownpipe.com

 

[stick]

Gtechniq cleaner range , use this after every ride , water wash off , snow foam and a re foam with a brush ( soft) wash off , hand wash with shampoo , wash off ,spray with Bilt Hamber Atom Mac for the hard to reach places . Then air dry with a bike dryer . quick detailer on all panels , I have a brush that is soaked in ACF and re apply to the engine and exposed areas etc. Sit back and look at a nice clean bike. This is done after every ride bar the ACF wich is every other in the summer the every time in the winter months , bike back in central heated garage. . I find it relaxing after a good long ride out at the weekends , with a few beers of course. Never had corrosion issues so feel this works for me , my bike is my hobby , not a hack , so I keep it as new and as fresh as I can.

 

[NeilCol]

Gtechniq cleaner range , use this after every ride , water wash off , snow foam and a re foam with a brush ( soft) wash off , hand wash with shampoo , wash off ,spray with Bilt Hamber Atom Mac for the hard to reach places . Then air dry with a bike dryer . quick detailer on all panels , I have a brush that is soaked in ACF and re apply to the engine and exposed areas etc. Sit back and look at a nice clean bike. This is done after every ride bar the ACF wich is every other in the summer the every time in the winter months , bike back in central heated garage. . I find it relaxing after a good long ride out at the weekends , with a few beers of course. Never had corrosion issues so feel this works for me , my bike is my hobby , not a hack , so I keep it as new and as fresh as I can.

You must be retired?
And surely that isn’t after a quick run somewhere? (We are avoiding a second car as long as we can as me and missus have a bike, so often use bikes for a short trip of 5 - 30 miles)

No way I could have the time to clean the bike after every ride, I get it if the bike has got wet and covered in road grime, but it if it’s just had dry runs out in summer when salt isnt an issue why every ride?

Plus i will sometimes use the bike for work and get home at 7 am after a 12 hr night shift…last thing I’m doing is washing the bike. Though I do intend to adopt a policy of cold water rinsing with a hose quickly during winter until i get chance to wash it.
I’d like to think the ACF50 will be more than able to manage those situations for a few weeks at worst.

 

[Blue]

For cleaning the Matt Paint after washing (I’m a big user of Rhino Goo) this is the best I have found, I’m using it on my V7 Stone 850 which is black, black, and a bit black

Leaves the finish, Matt, mark free and water seems to bead almost like it’s waxed. I’ve tried a few others but this has been the best and lasts well too.

Matte Paint Cleaner - PH Neutral - Salt Free - Acid Free - 500ml | DrDownpipe

PREMIUM PRODUCT - Salt Free - Acid Free - PH Neutral Specially formulated for matt or denim paint, this quick solution cleans and protects the matt finish on your motorcycle. Our cleaner will not streak or leave marks on your matt finish. Spray and wipe with a soft cloth such as a microfibre...

www.drdownpipe.com

Yes thats the same for me I have a Matt paint Bike Rhino Goo just seems to clean it with no streaky marks and as you say it seems to leave a coating on the paint as water always seems to bead on it.