Newbie here, cleaning question

[WaterMonkey]

Hey guys, hope you don't mind me introducing myself here but this is the forum I'll mainly be using.
44 from Kent and bought a red '13 GS TE in October last year.
I absolutely love it! I've taken it for a few gentle forays off road on bridle ways and the other day I decided to go through some big puddles that were the full width of the track. Ended up with me soaked up to my waist, the bow wave getting higher and higher but the bike got me through it without me even feeling the need to put my feet down. Amazing bike.
But my question, how the hell do you clean the thing after that?! I'm finding mud everywhere, under the seat, around the battery. Do you guys give it a big strip down after getting it very dirty?
I might try and stay away from deep puddles for a bit I think!

Anyway just wanted to say hi.

 

[crashhat]

Hi, depends how clean is clean
Tmf gets his sparkling but looks like an all day job.
https://youtu.be/eZcP7KQ0mG0

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[theoneandonly]

i clean mine once a year whether it needs it or not ......

 

[JJH]

Some people take great pride in their bikes and clean and clean until their bikes look like new again and you can see them popping up here for sale 10 year old bikes that look exactly like new. Most of mere mortals just give it a weekly or monthly wash. I'm in the monthly catagree. Unless it's caked in salt then it's hosed down before she goes to bed. JJH

 

[linssen]

how the hell do you clean the thing after that?!

Hi!
My bike spends about 60% of its time in the mud, so I've got a little ritual for cleaning by now.

1. Carefully jet wash the worst of it off
2. Muc Off all over
3. A soft bristle brush that attaches to the hose all over
4. Another careful jet wash to ensure there's no Muc Off left on the bike (it's nasty stuff)
5. Shampoo with a little noodle glove
6. Dry it with a leaf blower, then a microfibre towel
7. Use an old cotton t shirt and go over all the metal with GT 85
8. Notice all the bits you thought were clean that are not

I occasionally take the plastics off, but even a quick going over and a spray of GT 85 or ACF50 if you're posh will keep corrosion away.

https://vimeo.com/163755436

Spot in the vid where I lose a bush, and my neighbour helps me find it. Joygasm when he points it out.

 

[haditlowered]

i "clean" mine after every ride.. doesn't matter that it's a GS or any other bike... ride it - clean it - simples even if you don't proper clean it whatever you do to clean it will be better than doing nothing

 

[Johnny B]

Hi!
My bike spends about 60% of its time in the mud, so I've got a little ritual for cleaning by now.

1. Carefully jet wash the worst of it off
2. Muc Off all over
3. A soft bristle brush that attaches to the hose all over
4. Another careful jet wash to ensure there's no Muc Off left on the bike (it's nasty stuff)
5. Shampoo with a little noodle glove
6. Dry it with a leaf blower, then a microfibre towel
7. Use an old cotton t shirt and go over all the metal with GT 85
8. Notice all the bits you thought were clean that are not

I occasionally take the plastics off, but even a quick going over and a spray of GT 85 or ACF50 if you're posh will keep corrosion away.

https://vimeo.com/163755436

Spot in the vid where I lose a bush, and my neighbour helps me find it. Joygasm when he points it out.

Kinell that was quick

 

[linssen]

Kinell that was quick

The only thing more boring than a uncut helmet cam vid, would have been that vid at normal speed. That's on the iPhone time lapse mode.

 

[WaterMonkey]

Hi!
My bike spends about 60% of its time in the mud, so I've got a little ritual for cleaning by now.

1. Carefully jet wash the worst of it off
2. Muc Off all over
3. A soft bristle brush that attaches to the hose all over
4. Another careful jet wash to ensure there's no Muc Off left on the bike (it's nasty stuff)
5. Shampoo with a little noodle glove
6. Dry it with a leaf blower, then a microfibre towel
7. Use an old cotton t shirt and go over all the metal with GT 85
8. Notice all the bits you thought were clean that are not

I occasionally take the plastics off, but even a quick going over and a spray of GT 85 or ACF50 if you're posh will keep corrosion away.

https://vimeo.com/163755436

Spot in the vid where I lose a bush, and my neighbour helps me find it. Joygasm when he points it out.

Thanks for the replies everyone, Linssen not sure I can move that quick but I'll give it a go.
It was the area around the battery and under the seats that concerned me most I think, very fiddly and not areas to hose down!

 

[linssen]

It was the area around the battery and under the seats that concerned me most I think, very fiddly and not areas to hose down!

I wouldn't hose it. That's the ECU under the seat, and it doesn't really drain very well under there. I use heavy duty paper towels, and the hose brush when it's dry to get most of it away.

 

[iftikartaxis]

clean

i am one of the clean it after you ride it
i used muc off never again went in the bin
lots of soapy water hose pipe
then get a stihl blower or similar and make sure its dry before putting it away

 

[danjacks]

Much the same as everyone else. I use a foam spray attachment for the hose if I'm doing a proper cleaning job, but otherwise its a regular hose down with water and some soapy stuff.

And another vote for getting some sort of blow dryer. Makes the job much quicker and more effective - you'd be amazed how much comes out of the rads and other places you can't get to by hand.

 

[tanneman]

For the normal riding on the road (once a week as I commute on it) a quick rinse with a jet wash followed by a application of soap and agitation with a soft bristle brush on the cooling fins, front and sides of engine and between the spokes and wheel hub. Wash nicely with sponge, rinse, blow dry, dry with microfibre towel, some final touches with window cleaner and GT85. Sometimes a polish on the paint. Autoglym insect remover is the mutts nuts. If it gets really dirty then the washing takes longer to get rid of the mud that seems to find inaccessible places to stick therefore some panels, the exhaust can, sump guard and the seats come off. For when I feel more anal than usual the wheels are removed. The Karcher lance adaptor with the swivel head works a treat.

The Nav V cradle gets a dry and an application of WD40 on the pins. The previous GSA which was fitted with a Zumo 550 had problems with the cradle pins and I always took care to keep em dry. These pins were on the lower support and prone to collect water. The Nav V cradle pins are on the vertical but still they get wet behind the cover or Nav.

I use Dynac UC anti corrosion treatment which is waxy, brilliant stuff I have to say. To remove it needs a degreaser and Bilthamber has a bio friendly degreaser that can be diluted with water or use neat for tough bits. It doesn't affect the paintwork on the wheels or engine. Very effective degreaser. Also works a treat on the Weber Kettle.

Muccoff is a bit harsh. If used on small areas and not letting it dry you are ok. Sdoc seems to get the vote. I use Autoglym and Bilthamber products. Each to their own but be careful of wheel cleaners. You can't beat GT85 for the lovely smell.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Still lots of salt dust about, mine was covered yesterday - all round the wheels was a tell-tale, despite the 16c

Wash my bikes everytime I go out

 

[matchbox]

If I wash mine then I don't want to ride it in case it gets dirty. Keep it dirty then and when I do clean it it is amazing how well it cleans up.

 

[WaterMonkey]

Good tip about the salt on the roads still JohnnyBoxer cheers.
Getting my first MOT done tomorrow at the dealers, do you think they'll wash it for me there?!

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Good tip about the salt on the roads still JohnnyBoxer cheers.
Getting my first MOT done tomorrow at the dealers, do you think they'll wash it for me there?!

Funniest thing I've read for a while......

 

[WaterMonkey]

Funniest thing I've read for a while......

I had one of my auxiliary lights replaced under warranty when it got a bit of moisture inside it. After replacing it they then washed my bike!

Ha, don't get me wrong I'm not a lazy git, I wash my bike a lot, my main concern was just the inside areas like the battery.

 

[BullMac]

Funniest thing I've read for a while......

When ever my Triumphs were in for work (servicing, etc) they always valeted the bike. Do BMW not do this?

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[Glen]

I've been informed that BMW have now stopped washing anymore bikes, as direct contact with H2O may lead to unexpected warranty claims due to corrosion!!!