What's a great soap to use that easily cuts the grime, is safe for all motorcycle surfaces, and doesn't leave spots when it dries?

 

50% simple green with water + leaf blower. Add a shot of jet dry (dishwasher spot free rinse) for a spot free finish.

 

Water spots has a lot to do with your water hardness. Expect to dry the bike with a chamois/micro fiber if you don't want spots. A leaf blower is another drying alternative.
I use car wash soap and a sudsy mit on my bike.
Goes without saying, do not wash when the engine is hot. Do not use a pressure washer.

 

I use Adams premium car care ca wash soap or Surf city garage "stripper" car wash concentrate if I want to strip my wax off the bike and redo. Then I use Adams or chemical guy's all purpose cleaner on my engine and tranny cases, under carriage, and tires.

Along with the normal 2- bucket wash. One with soapy water one with clean to rinse wash mitt. Grit guards in the bottom of each bucket to clean the mitt and keep grit/ dirt from getting stirred up. Works great, and I use a soft bristle brush on the engine and tranny cases, wheels, and tires.

Then use an air compressor to dry, ideally a blower would work better.

Also a good car wash soap, not washing in the direct sunlight, and some sort of forced air drying really eliminate water spots. I haven't had to mess with water spots since I started using a good soap and washing out of direct sunlight.

 

I have used turtles hell wash n wax on all of my vehicles. Has always worked well on the whole motorcycle. Just blow the water off with an electric leaf blower and all will be good.

 

When I use soap, I just use car wash soap and a lot of water. But most of the time I use Windex.

 

When I wash my HD, I use Eagle One Nano Wax as u dry. I don't wash my bike often. I normally use Honda Gloss detailer. I get many compliments for having such a clean car or motorcycle. I try to keep them looking new.

 

Simple Green, Windex and Dawn dishwashing soap will all strip the wax off the bike.

Car wash soap if I don't plan on waxing. (it leaves the wax coat on)
Dawn for when I want to strip the wax off before I clay bar the paint.
Simple Green straight up on cool, wet metal (not painted surfaces) to deep clean and rinse off very fast and thoroughly. (cuts road grime very well)
Aluminum wheel cleaner and a fingernail brush and/or toothbrush to clean the diamond cut jugs. (rinse thoroughly afterward)

In Florida I wax with a hard shell wax. I've never found a soft wax that works well in the heat and humidity.

 

I use hair shampoo. Use one for oily scalps. It cuts the oil and grime while putting a sheen on my bike. The best thing is that there are no water spots and my bike shines like a new penny. Cost wise, most hair shampoos are cheaper than car wash products. I detail my bike with McGuire's in between washes.

 

What if I don't have hair? My OL uses that fancy, high-dollar salon shampoo. If she caught me using that on my bike, the only tail I'd be getting is from my bike!! LMAO!