Coming from a dirt bike background I have always refused to wash my bikes because as soon as I clean them they are always covered in **** the next day. Well I now own a 2008 road king classic and have not cleaned it in over a year except for the windshield which I clean after every couple of rides. Call me crazy but I actually like the look of a dirty bike. I guess maybe that raw look. Anyways there is a guy I work with who is always giving me **** about it and says that the dirt is going to cause the chrome to rust out. I dont have much experience with chrome so is what he is saying true? Sounds like **** to me. I dont neglect my bikes mechanically because I keep them in top shape as far as maintnance goes but if not cleaning my bike is going to cause it harm then I guess I will have to waste a couple hours of my time every month or so doing it. Thanks

 

I raced Moto-X for years and always cleaned my bike between races. Guess I'm funny that way.

 

Well the bike I bought wasn't cared for in a level that I care for a bike and the chrome did suffer. It became pitted here and there and I have already replaced pieces that were messed up. He used NeverDull on everything....which doesn't have any abrasive in it, it just smeared the dirt and crap around. I bought Mothers and went after it. My spokes are wasted and so were my crash bars. I was able to bring most other things back though.

Then again I've been riding dirt bikes for decades now......and I've always cleaned them well.

Clean that beast!! It will thank you for it later!!

 

Clean it.

I had a 2006 Fatboy that was heavily chromed. After about 4 years of owning it, i became complacent in my detailing and it wasn't even a single winter in the garage before there was pitting evident on my controls, and on my lower forks.

Minor, mind you, but lost that "show chrome" luster in a few areas.

In my opinion, 1.5 hrs. every month to run a hot towel between the spokes, and "clean behind the ears" will pay big dividends in the long run.

 

because of work, i can only ride mostly on the weekends. however, i will spend nearly 15 hours a week in the man cave wiping own an going over my baby. i love it when someone comes over and looks at my scoot and then takes a pic. it makes me feel good knowing all that work was worth it

 

this is sometihng i've never understood: dudes saying "i don't want to spend the time cleaning my bike when i can be riding"

personally, for me, one of the most enjoyable parts of my days spend riding is getting home after a good ride, and spending anywhere from 10-20 minutes in the backyard going over the bike with a quick detailer.

just to get some of the road grime/dead bugs off of the bike.

gives me a chance to unwind, lets the bike cool down, then i put it away and it's clean for the next time i want to take it out.

then maybe once a month when a shitty day rolls around, i'll spend an hour or more in the garage really doing a full clean.

 

Keep your paint and chrome clean and waxed and your bike will look new for a long time.

 

Not to mention as the years roll by, the resale will be greater with a well maintained bike

 

Dirt, bugs, etc. hold moisture that promotes rust & corrosion. A clean bike dries faster & rusts less. I'm not the kind that details a road bike like it was goin' into a show, but a quick wash when it's dirty & a wax now & then will extend the life of the bike.

 

It's difficult for me to imagine someone taking care of a scoot mechanically but not cleaning it every once in a while.

Don't expect someone to buy a bike that at least looks like it wasn't taken care of. Unless of course, they don't care either.