Vivid Black owners
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
The best way to keep a black bike clean is as follows:
1- Place bike on trailer.
2- Place cover on bike.
3- Tow to wherever you're going.
4- Unload bike and look clean.
Seriously, there is virtually no way to keep a black or any other dark color bike clean 24/7. They are meant to be ridden in dust, rain, sunny days and anything in between. They won't break (usually
) and if it gets a little dirty, scratched or a rock dent, take it as a badge of honor that the bike is ridden, not parked and used to tell people "Yup, I have a Harley" kind of thing.
Otherwise, refer to steps 1-4 above.
1- Place bike on trailer.
2- Place cover on bike.
3- Tow to wherever you're going.
4- Unload bike and look clean.
Seriously, there is virtually no way to keep a black or any other dark color bike clean 24/7. They are meant to be ridden in dust, rain, sunny days and anything in between. They won't break (usually
) and if it gets a little dirty, scratched or a rock dent, take it as a badge of honor that the bike is ridden, not parked and used to tell people "Yup, I have a Harley" kind of thing.Otherwise, refer to steps 1-4 above.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 4
From: Third Coast, South Texas
For bug splatter on the front end, spray Hydrogen Peroxide on the forks, batwing and lowers. Bugs will disolve and you won't have to scratch the fairing trying to rub them off.
Tourer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
Summer: Full wash once a week. Soap is a great lubricant and bug softener.
1. Soap bucket filled with Mr. Clean filtered water or distilled water.
Microfiber rag
2. Clean water bucket filled with Mr. Clean filtered water or distilled water
Microfiber rag
Spray bike Mr. Clean filtered. Wash from bucket 1. Rinse with Mr. Clean filetered. Wipe down with rag from bucket 2 to sop up excess water. Let air dry
Winter: Get the 3M Shine restorer out and hand buff swirls out. Wax, Wax, Wax.
If you really want your bike to look good, ride with me. Mine gets pretty nasty between washings. Every bike looks good parked next to mine!!!!
1. Soap bucket filled with Mr. Clean filtered water or distilled water.
Microfiber rag
2. Clean water bucket filled with Mr. Clean filtered water or distilled water
Microfiber rag
Spray bike Mr. Clean filtered. Wash from bucket 1. Rinse with Mr. Clean filetered. Wipe down with rag from bucket 2 to sop up excess water. Let air dry
Winter: Get the 3M Shine restorer out and hand buff swirls out. Wax, Wax, Wax.
If you really want your bike to look good, ride with me. Mine gets pretty nasty between washings. Every bike looks good parked next to mine!!!!
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: winter spring,fl
Put a couple of good coats of wax on it then ride it
I bought the Black Pearl & knew from the start it was going to take a lot more care. Saturday morning are for washing the bike, my Vue, & the wifes 350z. I do that starting around 6:30 & am done by 8:00. Then I usually go for a ride. Wife gets up around 9 or 10 on the weekends so I am back 1 of those days & go with her. The other day I ride with some friends to anywhere. This bike takes me about twice as long as my last one to clean.
I bought the Black Pearl & knew from the start it was going to take a lot more care. Saturday morning are for washing the bike, my Vue, & the wifes 350z. I do that starting around 6:30 & am done by 8:00. Then I usually go for a ride. Wife gets up around 9 or 10 on the weekends so I am back 1 of those days & go with her. The other day I ride with some friends to anywhere. This bike takes me about twice as long as my last one to clean.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 7
From: Michigan
I'm with the rest of you, the only thing to do is just ride it and not worry about it. maybe every few weeks i'll give it a good clean and polish, but the next day when i ride it to work its filthy again. I guess if i just wanted something that looked good all the time i just would have bought a picture of a bike 
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 23
From: NC
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 685
Likes: 123
From: NW Suburburbs of Chicago
I have a friend with a wing who washes his bike whenever it is a little dusty. Me, I wash it when it get too dirty but I ride it more. I figure I have twice the miles and twice the smiles that he's got. 
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: McKinney, TX
Cali duster
What is this cali duster you people speak of? What have I been missing out on all my life. I have always been afraid to use a duster in fear of creating swirls or fine scratches in the clear from moving the dust. Dusting on occasion would sure beat getting out the spray and cloth. Let me know what ya think.
Thanks for the input.
I have always been afraid to use a duster in fear of creating swirls or fine scratches in the clear from moving the dust. Dusting on occasion would sure beat getting out the spray and cloth. Let me know what ya think.Thanks for the input.
Last edited by drjggood1; Feb 12, 2009 at 09:25 AM.