Cleaning Fanatic
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, AZ
I'm not exactly a clean freak but I keep my bikes cleaner than most that I ride with. I bought a 2007 RG this week for a guy, who is ill and it has been sitting in his garage for a year and a half, he was the second owner and I don't think he ever cleaned it. It only has 22K mi on it and I have spent time over the last 3 days cleaning it and I'm still not happy with it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 6
From: Spokane, WA.
I clean mine because it's $20K and a bit more that I paid for, and I want to keep it looking nice. I use detail spray on it and wash weekly, wax the tins, and chrome polish accordingly.
Gas tank gets lots of wax as chaps tend to dull the wax shine.
Gas tank gets lots of wax as chaps tend to dull the wax shine.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 8
From: illinois
i clean my harley about once aweek or when ever its raining... my bike gets cleaned more then my 2010 truck..but i dont plan on getting rid of this bike ever so i want my hd orange tequila sunride 2012 sg to stay looking as good as i can make it.plus like i have seen said before i have had to work 70 and 80 hrs weeks to afford this bike and get off the jap crap so i want it to be nice
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 822
From: Nevada
Good question.
I hang with riders in several different camps. They ride expensive bikes, too. The cleanliness thing is unique to Harley riders. Some won't even ride to work because they might caught in rain or dust might accumulate on their bike.
I wash my Harley (and BMW) a few times a year. Between washes I wipe bugs from the shield and fairing after a ride. But that's about it. I live in the midwest. We have a short riding season. If the sun is shining, I feel guilty for washing a bike and not riding.
I hang with riders in several different camps. They ride expensive bikes, too. The cleanliness thing is unique to Harley riders. Some won't even ride to work because they might caught in rain or dust might accumulate on their bike.
I wash my Harley (and BMW) a few times a year. Between washes I wipe bugs from the shield and fairing after a ride. But that's about it. I live in the midwest. We have a short riding season. If the sun is shining, I feel guilty for washing a bike and not riding.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Rochelle, IL
I'm cleaning this bad lad every week. Saturday and Sunday takes me and the wife on rides, and then I'm cleaning, dusting, etc. during the week. (Which is usually when I catch myself going to the garage to stare at it lol)
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 559
Likes: 5
From: Tampa Bay, Florida
I use to have the cleanest bike in the group. It was spotless.
Now it's lucky if it sees water other than a rain storm.
Don't get me wrong, I like a clean bike but at my age I have a difficult time getting down and cleaning the way I would like to.
Just rained real bad here. I shoulda rolled outside.
Now it's lucky if it sees water other than a rain storm.
Don't get me wrong, I like a clean bike but at my age I have a difficult time getting down and cleaning the way I would like to.
Just rained real bad here. I shoulda rolled outside.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 513
Likes: 3
From: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Why is it that the people who choose not to clean their bikes find it necessary to call people who take pride in their ride and keep it spotless terms like "garage queens"... WTF... It's one thing if you're physically not able but if you're just too "lazy" to clean your ride don't blow the rest of us off that do.... One tends to wonder about people too lazy to clean their bike, probably the way they approach everything else in life as well!! There are a few names that come to mind that make "garage queen" sound pretty good!!!
LOL!!
LOL!!
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 739
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis
I'm a firm believer in routine maintenance, keepind the bike clean is (to me) just part of that maintenance. A clean bike is much easier to spot leaks on. If you catch them early, usually they're easier to take care of. I'm also a stickler about checking gas mileage. If I notice a significant drop in mileage for no explainable reason I know to start looking for something awry. I realize that cars and bikes are much more maintenance free than they used to be, I guess my habits are a carryover from days gone by.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
I am **** about keeping mine clean, just ask my wife. She give me crap about it all the time. Ride every opportunity but can always find some time to keep it clean. The guy the can't bend to clean anymore needs to get a lift. Use mine (J&S) all the time for cleaning takes all the work out of it.
