Hey all,

I'm sure I'm like most of all of you, I don't just roll my bike out into the driveway, hose it down and wash it with a sponge like you do your car or truck.

So, my question is...how do you clean your sportbike? What do you guys/girls use to clean it? What do you use to clean it/wipe it down with?

From riding back and forth to work on my bike, it builds up normal road grime on the lowers and front air damn (along with dust and crap all over the bike from it sitting in the parking lot). I was just wondering if there is anything you guys/girls normally use to clean your bike where you can spray it on and then just wipe it off with a clean rag.

Currently I've always just used warm water and a clean rag to wipe the grime away and just keep turning the second dry rag (usually an old clean t-shirt) when wiping it down, but I'm sure there is a better way and something that will cut through that grime much better and maybe even keep the plastics shiny/nice in the process.

Thanks for your time,
Mat

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If you can't beat 'em...shoot 'em!

South Bay Photography

I dunno what to use, I just throw on a g-string and suds its up *JK*

My bikes only get hose/water washed once a year....and that's when it's stripped bare. I just don't wash with water. You may have also noticed that my bike(s) are usually reasonably spotless.

I use, in the garage, wet towels, 409 surface cleaner, and lots of time. Afterwards, when all is nicey clean, I use either Plexxus or Protect All for polishing everything.

Ride and repeat.

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409 dosnt hurt your wax?

Thanks Gleno for the input. I figured you'd have a cool "process".

However, I am also curious if 409 will mess up anything as Erik asked.

Miss Wheatie...I'll bring my bike right over.

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If you can't beat 'em...shoot 'em!

South Bay Photography

Dunno what 409 could possibly mess up?? It's justa mild cleaner. As for wax, it may remove some, but gets "rewaxed" every cleaning. My Gixx is about to hit 9K miles (hard to believe huh??), and everything looks good so far.

To elaborate....when I do my once a year "big clean". Everything but the forks, engine, swinger and wheels comes off. I use a very mild solution of SimpleGreen (which can harm painted plastics), and go after the entire bike hard, with fine brushes, rags, and a firm spray. I then bring it in the garage and blow every nook, cranny and orfice with compressed air. Carefully wiping every inch of everything, before reassembly. Then, I was all the bodywork witha mild soap solution, dry and hand wax it. Put it all back together and do a final wipe for fingerprints. This is what works for ME.....YMMV, IIRC, FWIW, IMHO, ATGATT, TIGTBSMFF, Etc.

Then I ride it straight to Az and get it covered in bugs again.

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Of course.....my whole process is about to change. Ima have a prospect come do my cleaning for a while.

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Why, is a G-String on you gonna have the same effect?

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Rick<br />Asere!

Is that something you're interested in getting a look at Ricky?? C'mon....it's healthy to confess your true feelings man.

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Roll it out here ahaha

Hey, no prob. Bro. If you throw on a g-string I’ll bring my video camera. Who knows, might take it to the animal planet channel and win some… Of course, any revenue I’ll donate to the club. LOL

On topic I use water from one of those filters that leaves no spots and lot of wax. I never hose the bike, just clean it by sections.

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Rick<br />Asere!

I might have to try this setup.

I do have simplegreen, but I didn't want to put that on the plastics. I do what you do for cleanup, I take all the plastics off and then I use simplegreen and an old toothbrush to clean the rest of the bike. I was just wondering what you did for the plastics.

Hey, do you use the 409 on your windscreen? Would it be okay to use it on a clear windscreen? I need to get a new one because there are scuffs and scratches in my current one, but I figured it's still best to ask than to try it out and find out it melts or mars the clear windscreen.

Gleno...where do you get the Plexxus/Protect All from? Cycle Shop? I need to get some of that I guess. Haven't waxed this bike yet. DOHHHH!

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If you can't beat 'em...shoot 'em!

South Bay Photography

Also...

What do you all use for cleaning your tinted visors so they don't scratch? Do you use Plexxus for those too or ??? Just Windex?

What type of towel? Right now I just use warm water and an old military t-shirt. LOL Any certain type of towel you use to lessen the chance of scratches? (I guess this also goes with cleaning the plastics of the bike to reduce scratches in the clear coat)

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If you can't beat 'em...shoot 'em!

South Bay Photography

I have never put a hose to my bike. For cleaning I used Windex Multi-Surface for the bugs, etc, and then finish off with Plexus. I get my Plexus from Cycle Gear.

Helmet visors I also go with Plexus. I use a white terry cloth.

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Greggie

Thank you sir!

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If you can't beat 'em...shoot 'em!

South Bay Photography

I use love to clean my bike Here's my process. Plug up the intake and exhaust, normal car wash soap, a rag just to get all the shit off it. Then I bring it in the garage, blow all the water out of it, clean it off with the microfiber cloths, get in the nook and crannys with everything I can to include Q-tips. Wax it, rub off on it and ride.

I'm telling ya right now the best rag I've found is those microfiber things that you can get at Wallyworld. They don't scratch and are great to use for your tinted visor. I use one on mine with plain water to get the bugs and what not off. Wet end to clean and dry end to dry. Pretty easy

Here's my procedure. I roll it out of the garage onto the driveway. Park it. Call my detailer. Pay him 25 bucks. Ride it.

Looks like I'm headed to Wallyworld this week. What dept are the microfiber cloths in? LOL

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If you can't beat 'em...shoot 'em!

South Bay Photography

Prolly the car section with all the waxes and crap.

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Greggie

What he said

I get mine from a place called Clean Mart over on Sahara and Valleyview. Their prices are pretty decent and they have some great stuff for detailing. Here is a map:

Clean Mart

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2005 Suzuki Hayabusa Limited Edition - lots of mods
2000 Honda CBR600F4 - outfitted with the NRC case cover of invincibility
http://www.gleno.net

Thank you Mr. Eric...I might check them out too.

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If you can't beat 'em...shoot 'em!

South Bay Photography

Amen to microfiber.
For the visor, I just try not to clean mine unless I can soap it up in the sink.

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Lesli

All you guys have a screw loose.... I have never hosed and washed my baby.. Old baby that is.. Get to know your bike by taking all the fairings off and clean them 1 by 1... Really you will learn a shit load by doing this...
And at the same time you can give the engine a look-see for any leaks or broken, hanging wires or missing parts.. It may take a little longer but it's worth the time..

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THAT WILL BUFF RIGHT OUT SHELL....Gary

i get a huge bucket, 1/3 simply green the other 2/3 water, i go over it first and wash it down, then scrub EVERYTHING with the simply green, then wash down again with wet rags to wipe off simply green, then dry....seems to work well.

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myspace

5+ year member - and still going.

That's what happened to your trans dawg....

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hahaha, yeah wrong!

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myspace

5+ year member - and still going.

I use ProtecAll...sort of pricey, but it works great. Also, at Costco, they sell these yellow soft towels. They work great for cleaning your bike and even your visor. They leave no lint.

We use protect All, you can buy it at cycle gear, It works great for the whole bike!

For grime I use Bug & Tar remover & Purple Power.... For cleaning I use Meguiare's detailing soap.. for Visor soap & warm water... To dry an "Absorber" towel (A MUST HAVE FOR ANY WET ISSUE)....

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Squid = stupid, quick, underdressed, ignorant and dangerous A motorcyclist who overestimates his abilities, boasts of his riding skills when in reality he has none. Squids wear no protection, deeming themselves invincible. The term derives from what is discernable from his corpse

The cheapest place I have found Microfiber is Costco... I got a nice size bundle for like 15 bucks....

I just spray my Busa with water and call it a day.. Bedliner Rocks..........

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American Born and Jamaican raised.....
http://www.myspace.com/muaddibproductions

I never use soap on my plastics. I rinse it off, dry it, and go over it with Meguiars. After that it looks new. Sometimes I'll use a spray water bottle then dry it, and use Plexus or Lemon Pledge (it gives a good shine and your bike smells good too ).

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Las Vegas Ruff Ryder Road Captain. Favorite quote: "If you don't get involved, I'm gonna knock yo ass out too! Make a choice!" Deebo (Friday) 1995

i have had good luck with old lead acid car batteries. the kind that you can pull caps off and i pour it on my bike then rinse with water after two hours. works like a charm

I havent found anything better than the Honda cleaner & polish, which they now have at the Honda dealers again. Its in the same can but just doesnt say Honda on it anymore.

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"Quick Shine" for me

Wow, resurecting a dead thread.

For 99% of the time, I just hit it with Plexus. Unless I need to get rabbit guts off, then I take the steam-cleaner to it.

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SCS Founding Member (Member ever since)

Now as a question of etiquette, as I pass do I give you the ass or the crotch? - Tyler Durden

It is better to be defeated on principle than to win on lies. - Arthur Calwell

Common Sense Isn't Common


http://www.gleno.net

unless I hit some rain... puddles, bugs or sprinklers.... it's the desert, all I need is a soft cloth to brush off the dust. Gotta love this dry climate. :)

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