How do you wash/clean your bagger?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 715
Likes: 2
From: St. Charles, Mo.
Rains here a lot...so the bike gets washed often or it looks like sh*t.
1) Put the bike (cold) out on the dirveway apron up on the Pitbull. (yes...J & S works just the same)
2) One quick rinse (cold) to take off the dust.
3) Complete spray down with S100.
4) Complete rinse with cold water.
5) Blowdry with the Stihl.
All that takes about 20 minutes.
If my fairing, windshield, lights, etc are totalled with bugsplats, then I'll soak a big *** beach towel in hot water and then drape that over the front of the bike for 5 minutes to soften all that crap up before going with the S100 quick wash.
Otherwise, I do a full detail and wax / polish twice a year.
1) Put the bike (cold) out on the dirveway apron up on the Pitbull. (yes...J & S works just the same)
2) One quick rinse (cold) to take off the dust.
3) Complete spray down with S100.
4) Complete rinse with cold water.
5) Blowdry with the Stihl.
All that takes about 20 minutes.
If my fairing, windshield, lights, etc are totalled with bugsplats, then I'll soak a big *** beach towel in hot water and then drape that over the front of the bike for 5 minutes to soften all that crap up before going with the S100 quick wash.
Otherwise, I do a full detail and wax / polish twice a year.
TIP: when S100 says rinse well with water they mean it. When you think you have it rinsed enough... Rinse it again but the outcome is incredible.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: Middle of Massachusetts
Leaf Blower
I agree......a quick douche with mild soap and hot water.....rinse off...and my "Echo" 7300 Leaf Blower does the trick in under an hour. Who wants to polish anyway.....thats the OL's job while you are kicked back with a cold one watching football.....isn't it ?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
I'd rather ride than clean...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 2
From: East Tennessee
On a weekly basis, I spray the whole bike down with windex original formula and wipe it off with a few rags then go over it with a microfiber cloth. It always looks brand new.
If I get caught in the rain which has been common this year, I spray it down with S100 and rinse it off then blow it off with filtered compressor air and do a quick wipe down with a microfiber to get any remaining water spots the spray the engine and engine chrome with Pig Spit.
The whole process takes less than an hour. I prefer to spend a lot more time riding than cleaning.
If I get caught in the rain which has been common this year, I spray it down with S100 and rinse it off then blow it off with filtered compressor air and do a quick wipe down with a microfiber to get any remaining water spots the spray the engine and engine chrome with Pig Spit.
The whole process takes less than an hour. I prefer to spend a lot more time riding than cleaning.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,521
Likes: 57,074
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
You might be more thorough than me... I wash mine every 1 to 2 weeks. Dish soap in a bucket of warm/hot water. I dry the bike with an AirBlaster (avoids scratching the paint, and less strenuous than a chamois). It gets waxed a couple times a year (I park in the garage). As for the engine, I've never renewed it with S100, or anything else. (This sounds like a time-consuming exercise). Even this simple regimen, and people comment how clean it is. Maybe you're doing too much, too often. I might suggest doing a general cleaning every week or two, and do a 'major' clean once or twice a year. Then again, if you're the type that has to have it spotless all the time, detailed to the nth degree...you're stuck doing a lot of work frequently.
I spend an hour a week, and that includes washing, drying, and hitting the leather/vinyl with mink oil.
Alan
I spend an hour a week, and that includes washing, drying, and hitting the leather/vinyl with mink oil.
Alan
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: iowa
7 pages and I can't believe no one mentioned Yamaha TOTAL BIKE WASH.That sh-- is amazing.Spay it on,power wash and leaf blower if feel like it micro fiber with nano wax after(about every 3rd time).Bike is always spotless!
I know yamaha bike wash but my HD dealer turned me to it and it is good stuff.
I know yamaha bike wash but my HD dealer turned me to it and it is good stuff.
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Zephyrhills Florida
Try Bikebrite
Did anyone ever try BikeBrite, blows s100 in the weeds. Usually was the entire bike if it is real dirty. (All Black Ultra) this stuff rinses clean and leaves a new shine on tires, wheels and all paint. Blow dry with leaf blower and no waterspots like with s100. Inbetween washings I use Harley Gloss, shines really well. For some great detail info read everything on the Zanostore.com website. Microfiber is a wonderful product, but there is a major difference in their quality. They do collect every grain of sand or grit and scratch like heck if your aren't careful.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: North Central Ohio
All you guys that don't use water don't live in Ohio. Between the bugs and rain I have to clean my bike once a week. And I already don't have enough ride time as it is. Most of you will think I am a disgrace but twice a year usally March and July I do the strip and wax on everything. The weekly cleaning starts with $2.25 at the carwash. First spray the whole bike down with tire cleaner then high presure soap on all bags, wheels and anywhere bugs stick, then spot free rinse whole bike. Towel dry seat, windshield, grips and tank. Ride 8 miles to home to blow excess water off, micro fiber dry whole bike. Maybe 20 min. Bike looks great and been doing this for many years and no effect........Just rather feel the wind then a polishing rag.
Last edited by Groversue; Sep 9, 2011 at 10:18 PM.