washing bike???

[burtonboarder23]

Looking to clean my bike up since its more or less covered in smashed bugs and whatnot but the apartment complex has no where to hook up a hose. Are those self wash places putting out to much pressure to wash a bike, just don't want to mess anything up by pushing water where it shouldn't go.

[Chippertheripper]

Just don't shoot it in the exhaust.

[black]

yeah i've used those places before... just stay far away from the bike or jam that hose anywhere crevicy and you'll be fine.
and dont use the wax feature or such or automatic streak free water... just roll out of the car wash and pin the throttle. That water should bead right off

[scottfromboston]

yeah i've used those places before... just stay far away from the bike or jam that hose anywhere crevicy and you'll be fine.
and dont use the wax feature or such or automatic streak free water... just roll out of the car wash and pin the throttle. That water should bead right off

Yeah, the pressure isn't really a concern if you don't bring the hose anywhere close to the bike (~3')

Some of them will spray even with the nozzle turned off (while the machine is running) and this works perfectly....

[RandyO]

Just don't shoot it in the exhaust.

or the chain or radiator fins

[Lxpony]

Bucket of water and a wool wash mitt is all that should be required. That is how I clean mine after a ride...

[Stromper]

Don't shoot wheel bearings, sprockets

[Pittenger5]

Just don't shoot it in the exhaust.

Thats what she said

[The Magician]

Thats what she said

Too bad for her

[markbvt]

Wash your bike? That's what rain is for.

--mark

[MonsterM636]

Bucket of water and a wool wash mitt is all that should be required. That is how I clean mine after a ride...

[butcher bergs]

The rule of thumb I was taught for using hi-pressure water was, if you spray your hand and it hurts then you're too close to the paint.

Might wanna use some Plexus just before and again once it's dry to help with the bug guts.

[R7]

Bucket of water and a wool wash mitt is all that should be required. That is how I clean mine after a ride...

2 buckets, one with soapy water and one with clean water. I also use the wool mitt and even a 4" long bristle paint brush.

[zxme]

I have never washed my bike with water. I have only used Honda Polish...And looks like it just came off the showroom floor.

[slammp]

i'm going to second the no water bit. Especially if your at a complex that makes it difficult. I clean mine with a combination of products but no water. I have foaming window cleaner - great for general clean up and bug removal, goof off for the grease on any metal surfaces like sprockets, paint cleaner (like a wax) for cleaning up the paint work and for the wheels, and then follow everything up with a polish.

Showroom clean and no drying time, rusted bolts, or damaged bearings.

[KB]

Ride it don't wash it.

KB

[Tricklidz]

DONE!

[Tricklidz]

[breakdirt916]

I like taking the fairings off and washing them with gentle soap and water so I can spot scrub any tar or really nasty road grime

but then again, I'm a pretty infrequent rider, more on dirt than street nowadays, and don't mind sitting in the driveway for a weekend afternoon with a bucket and sponge if it's nice out...and by that metric, my bike hardly gets washed

[DuncanMoto]

+1, but you have to keep up with it.
I'm about to wash the 1098 with soap & water for the second time in it's life.

[burtonboarder23]

ted i got my hopes up, saw that you posted and was hoping you were going to wash my bike for me

[MysteriousR1]

I use to just wash with Honda polish, but if you ride it a lot I found it hard to keep clean. Know I just wash with soap and water, leave blower to dry, done. Then I use the honda polish inbetween wax's.

[Stromper]

A rag or old towel soaked in detergent water laid over the bug guts and wait a few minutes. You need to soften them with to break the bond.

Kerosene on a rag for chain spooge and road tar if you find it.

Brake clean on the rotors

My favorite was

Bike for sale. Never in rain washed weekly

I would use a pressure washer just at a distance of a couple of feet.

[The Snowman]

[R7]

Ahh yes! Spray over dirt/bugs, whipe off with rag. The chemicals in it does a great job of covering the scratches you put in the paint while using this method