How often do you wash your bike?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
I wash with water spring and fall (being careful to keep water away from fuse area), the rest of the time I just use some spray detailer for the bugs and a swiffer for dust.
Be careful with the cover, a lot of time they flap in the wind and do more damage than no cover.
I think the best would be a garden shed kit converted to a mini garage if you have space, that way it's out of the elements but nothing touching it, plus the added bonus of a place to store your helmet etc. and be lockable too. They also make portable cloth ones with metal poles but they are not as secure.
Be careful with the cover, a lot of time they flap in the wind and do more damage than no cover.
I think the best would be a garden shed kit converted to a mini garage if you have space, that way it's out of the elements but nothing touching it, plus the added bonus of a place to store your helmet etc. and be lockable too. They also make portable cloth ones with metal poles but they are not as secure.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: UAE
man, after reading all your replies i am starting to feel sorry for the poor bike parked outside, dunno, but if i dont wash the bike at least once a week it will start to look like a fossil dug fresh from the ground...hmmmmmmm, i think finding a decent cover is a necessity now...
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 799
Likes: 2
From: WyoBraska (Western Nebraska)
Yep. Every winter it gets cleaned by hand in the shop with warm water and mild dish soap. Then 3 coats of Carnuba wax on tins. All shiny stuff wiped down, bugs removed, etc, then it's good till next winter !! I do occasionally clean the bugs off during the summer.
Cleaning by hand, front to back (and underneath) means that you have looked at and touched the ENTIRE bike: amazing the little things you find that need attention !
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, Texas
You guys are sayin you just wipe them down.....? Im guessing you live in suburbia on a nice street and have a garage? Not bein an *** just wondering. I live on a half gravel/dirt road but have a garage where the bike lives. It gets dusty as hell from ride down road and just setting in the open garage. Oh also have to ride across the bridge on the way home and bugs can get pretty bad. Is there more options for me than a water/soap bath?? Would feel crazy hittin my bike with a dry rag and detail spray!!
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
You guys are sayin you just wipe them down.....? Im guessing you live in suburbia on a nice street and have a garage? Not bein an *** just wondering. I live on a half gravel/dirt road but have a garage where the bike lives. It gets dusty as hell from ride down road and just setting in the open garage. Oh also have to ride across the bridge on the way home and bugs can get pretty bad. Is there more options for me than a water/soap bath?? Would feel crazy hittin my bike with a dry rag and detail spray!!
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, Texas
Well yeah but my bugs are usually covered in dust too, LOL. I guess my description might be a little exagerated but my bike is vivid black so sometimes it looks really bad. I just cant see putting only a cloth and a spray on it. Ive always heard horror stories about the California Dusters too in removing dust so scared of that way too.
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 97
Likes: 10
From: Coker Creek, TN
I live 2 miles down a dirt road and wash it every week. Wash it Saturday and it is dirty Saturday night. It is made to ride so I just use the compressed air to blow the dust off through the week.
Last edited by Mikes2011fxdb; Mar 25, 2012 at 01:44 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 5
From: Batesville Ga
I rarely give my bikes a "full wash" - I just prefer to ride. When they start looking bad, or during the height of bug season (Feb 13 - Nov 29 here), I'll give them a *****'s bath. One bucket with soapy water, one with clear, and three microfiber towels. Soap up, rinse off, dry.