Hi, got my new 07 STC few months ago, love it. Chrome rear wheel needs cleaning often. Iuse a spray bottleof home brew mix of amonia and water and rinse off with a fine spray of water from garden hose mainly to avoid hitting brake disc.
How important is it to keep water and soap off the disc and pads? What do you use for soap and rinsing method??....here and cleaning the rest of bike cuz the manual says after riding in rain you may have to take it to the dealer (??? a bike that can't go in rain??)
Lastly, howimportant if at all is waxing the paint?? Doesn't it have clear coat already? And do you prefer paste wax, etc.
Thanks ! Steve

 

they call it a clear coat.....but don't touch it too hard!

simple green, in the household cleaning section-for cast wheels works for me.

 

I use windex and micro cloth in one hand and micro cloth for drying in the outher hand. I also use Zymol wax on painted sufaces because the windex takes any wax off the paint. I did start using a product called Poly Sheild it seems to work really good!

 

I've become a fan of Meguiar's products in the last couple years. Two of my favorites are Meguiar’s Motorcycle Detailer, which is great for the "in-between" shine you want between wash/wax jobs.

When it comes to the wheels/rims, there's NOTHING better than Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner. It will polish your chrome rims better than they were on the showroom floor. And it cuts through the brake dust without causing any harm to the chrome.

 

I use Bombs Away for my chrome. It is a wax and cleaner. It will remove almost anything (black marks on pipes from boots, bugs, etc.) and shines chrome like nothing I've ever seen. It's pricey but a bottle goes a long way.

 

I use Excela Wash, It is wash/polish in one. Works great for me.

 

I use S100 Total Cycle cleaner then the HD Brand polish wich is good on painted and chrome surfaces. I use Harley Gloss for the in-between touch ups. Also have the HD brand cleaner that works well for bugs, road grime, etc.

 

Thanks guys !!! Steve

 

I have tried to use a lot of different things, but find one of the best things to cut through the crap like road grime, bugs, and brake dust is Simple Green. Follow that up withagood high gradewax or polish and your covered.
If your in a hurry or fordetail work Turtle Wax Ice seems to work fairly well. Its a lot easier to deal with than any of the paste waxes, because it doesn't turn white if you get a little on the dull finished or flat black painted parts of the engine.
Much as I love my bike, I detest having to clean and polish it. All the nooks and crannies on a bike drive me nuts. It seems no matter how hard I try to clean every inch of it. The next time I clean it I find stuff I missed the last time.