How do YOU keep your Bagger clean?
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 7
i dont worry about it. A diry bike is a riden bike.
Actaully - its getting washed as we speak. Eating lunch at work and it is pouring outside. Should be nice and clean for the ride home.
Actaully - its getting washed as we speak. Eating lunch at work and it is pouring outside. Should be nice and clean for the ride home.
Last edited by simpkinst; Jul 3, 2012 at 12:42 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
From: Arkansas
I give mine a half *** decent wash with soap and water about twice a year, a good wax job once a year at the begining of spring, the rest of the time i just pull it in the front yard and take the water hose and hose off the dirt and dust, ride it dry, keep riding, repeat as needed the next year.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 57
From: PA
Good wax saves a LOT of time and energy.
I use a power washer but put the nozzle on light mist spray out the calipers,wheels,etc and mist the dash,tank and all the rest but stay away from the wheel bearing.Wipe her down or take a spin down the freeway to dry come back and wax her up with Meguairs Uilimate in between washes I use Purple Slice for a detailer with micro fiber towels.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 6
From: Michigan
Take the seat and bags off, wash with water and car wash and wax soap, blow it dry, use a spray wax, or lemon pledge (or orange pledge) and a micro fiber towell on the whole bike (except tires) (as needed) in between just douche her down, blow her off, and hit with spray wax/pledge.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 136
Likes: 2
From: N/A
My method would be to keep that power washer away from the bike. There are all sorts of places that it will put water where you don't want it, like wheel bearings for example.
Really though, it's just time. It takes time to wash a bike and get it back to new looking again. I take off my bags, I take of the side panels and wipe the insides down. Every little part gets wiped down with detailer and a microfiber cloth.
Wax as needed. I've been known to spend about 6-8 hours washing my Street Glide. The actual washing is quick in comparison, but then it's on to polishing chrome and detailing. It's a labor of love...
Really though, it's just time. It takes time to wash a bike and get it back to new looking again. I take off my bags, I take of the side panels and wipe the insides down. Every little part gets wiped down with detailer and a microfiber cloth.
Wax as needed. I've been known to spend about 6-8 hours washing my Street Glide. The actual washing is quick in comparison, but then it's on to polishing chrome and detailing. It's a labor of love...
Last edited by mkekid; Jun 16, 2018 at 11:32 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,002
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
For all you guys with your "Don't let it get dirty" philosophy, and keep it clean and maintain...
What do you do for overnighters?
I just rode 2400 miles in 4 days, and have a nice buggy film over every part of the bike.
What do you do for overnighters?
I just rode 2400 miles in 4 days, and have a nice buggy film over every part of the bike.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 1
From: Topeka, KS
The only time I get really carried away with the cleaning is after I have to ride in the rain. 90% of the time all I do is spray down with pledge and wipe with micro-fiber. This usually takes about 15 minutes for a quickie and an hour for a good job up on the jack. When I wash the whole thing I don't use a power washer. I don't really use soap either. I just run water out of the hose (no nozzle) to get the big dirt off, dry off with air from my compressor and then shine up with pledge.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Mines Pewter Denim. I use a car wash soap (mequiars I think) and a dish sponge. I'm lucky I don't have to worry about a clear coat showing scratches. I can use the scrubby side to get the bugs and the other side for everything else. I use pig spit as a final detailer on every thing.