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Author Topic: Do you wash your bike after each ride?  (Read 3694 times)
Dag
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« on: August 17, 2010, 08:07:44 AM »

I dont, but at least once a week....

http://www.valkyrienorway.com/webcam/garage.html


(I dont wash my bike all the time, I posted this link when I cleaned her up Tuesday)
« Last Edit: August 18, 2010, 06:49:01 AM by Dag » Logged

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R J
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DS-0009 ...... # 173

Des Moines, IA


« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2010, 08:15:44 AM »

This is my previous schedule and leads to current"

Brand new to 1999 - washed every day during spring, summer, fall

1999 to 2001 - After every ride

2001 - 2003 - After every other ride, unlees it was in the rain

2004 - 2011 -  Just call me Daniel Meyer Jr.

Good Lord man, it was 7 years old when I quit, washing....
« Last Edit: August 17, 2010, 10:15:42 AM by R J » Logged

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Serk
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Rowlett, TX


« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2010, 08:20:55 AM »

You mean... You can wash 'em??? I thought that's what riding in the rain was for?  cooldude
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Daniel Meyer
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« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2010, 10:11:24 AM »

2004 - 2011 -  Just call me Daniel Meyer Jr.


LOL RJ!  cooldude

I've about gotten my 2004 Alaska ride all washed off her now...

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Daniel Meyer
fudgie
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Huntington Indiana


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« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2010, 10:18:27 AM »

Every couple months unless it gets rained on. I had 1100 miles of road grime, butterflies, and bazillion grasshoppers all over the bike at Sturgis. Made a trek to Deadwood for a bikini wash but none was found.  tickedoff Had to do it myself.  Angry Was gonna get one in town before we left but didnt want to pay $25. The scenery was worth it but couldnt bring myself to do it.
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R J
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DS-0009 ...... # 173

Des Moines, IA


« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2010, 10:20:47 AM »

Daniel Sr.

It took several months to get all of the Alaska junk off, but the hardest was the sand from the Bonneville Salt flats.

That sheet can and does get in everywhere.

What was real shocking, was when I replaced the front tire after my Salt Flat stop,            Sand up the ying ding was inside the tire.     I would never have believed it possible, but it was in my tire.
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Westernbiker
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« Reply #6 on: August 17, 2010, 10:22:54 AM »

I have owned my '97' Bumblebee for just over three years now and it has been washed twice since I have owned it. The last time it was washed was when I returned from Yellowstone this year and I had a guy come over and do it along with the trailer. It was REALLY bad! This guy washed it with purified water that he brings, it is dried and air dried with a hand held blower, polished ALL the chrome then waxed the bike and trailer. It looked like it just came off the showroom floor. Took him 5 hours and 15 minutes and cost me a C note. I felt it was well worth it. Usually I just wipe it down after every ride with a stuff called Purple Slice and a nonscratch proof towel I buy at Costco.
« Last Edit: August 17, 2010, 10:24:27 AM by Westernbiker » Logged



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Kaiser
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Gainesville, FL


« Reply #7 on: August 17, 2010, 10:26:46 AM »

...for a bikini wash but none was found.  tickedoff Had to do it myself.

I hope you are referring to the "wash" part and not the "bikini" part of "having to do it yourself".  2funny
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ChromeDome
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Aurora, IL.

60 miles West of Chicago!


« Reply #8 on: August 17, 2010, 10:32:38 AM »

Usually when I can't stand how dirty it is. I mean, if it is nice enough to wash ... shouldn't you be riding!
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Valkahuna
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DeLand, Florida


« Reply #9 on: August 17, 2010, 10:39:19 AM »

This is my previous schedule and leads to current"

Brand new to 1999 - washed every day during spring, summer, fall

1999 to 2001 - After every ride

2001 - 2003 - After every other ride, unlees it was in the rain

2004 - 2011 -  Just call me Daniel Meyer Jr.

Good Lord man, it was 7 years old when I quit, washing....


+1. A very typical schedule most likely for a lot of us. (Although unfortunately I don't know Daniel yet) Works for cars too!  cooldude
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Psycho
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« Reply #10 on: August 17, 2010, 10:47:35 AM »

I usually wash the Bike once a year.   I take a bath every other year. Grin
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R J
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DS-0009 ...... # 173

Des Moines, IA


« Reply #11 on: August 17, 2010, 10:54:51 AM »

I usually wash the Bike once a year.   I take a bath every other year. Grin

Well the bath thing, we was aware of that..... Evil tickedoff
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ChromeDome
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Aurora, IL.

60 miles West of Chicago!


« Reply #12 on: August 17, 2010, 11:04:32 AM »

I usually wash the Bike once a year.   I take a bath every other year. Grin

That often ... who knew. I always thought that Connie just hosed you off every month or so. coolsmiley
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PhredValk
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Edmonton, Alberta, Canada


« Reply #13 on: August 17, 2010, 12:08:54 PM »

Brigitt is my main mode of transport from April to October; to work, shopping, visiting etc, so I ride her daily (unless it's really raining). I guess I wash her if I want to show her off a bit, like after the ride home I wanted her looking good when she met my Mom. Last thing before putting her away for the winter and when I'm getting ready for riding in the spring as well.
Fred.
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Jabba
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VRCCDS0197

Greenwood Indiana


« Reply #14 on: August 17, 2010, 12:14:22 PM »

The scenery was worth it but couldnt bring myself to do it.

That's the MARRIED man comin' out already.

 2funny 2funny 2funny

I don't wash mine much.  Although more lately.  I follow the addage that if it's nice enough to wash... it's nice enough to ride... but sometimes I am sitting my 3 year old... and I CAN'T ride.  and he likes to use the hose... so they been getting washed a LITTLE more often.

Jabba
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bigguy
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« Reply #15 on: August 17, 2010, 12:17:46 PM »

Quote
Do you wash your bike after each ride?

 2funny
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Big Rig
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Woolwich NJ


« Reply #16 on: August 17, 2010, 12:26:38 PM »

Every couple months unless it gets rained on. I had 1100 miles of road grime, butterflies, and bazillion grasshoppers all over the bike at Sturgis. Made a trek to Deadwood for a bikini wash but none was found.  tickedoff Had to do it myself.  Angry Was gonna get one in town before we left but didnt want to pay $25. The scenery was worth it but couldnt bring myself to do it.
Om, sorry, but I had a BAD visual...you giving your bike a wash in a bikini.... 2funny 2funny

Struck me as sick and funny all at once...

Yes almost after every ride, unless it is too dark to see...
« Last Edit: August 17, 2010, 12:30:59 PM by Big Rig DH » Logged
Pete
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Frasier in Southeast Tennessee


« Reply #17 on: August 17, 2010, 12:31:05 PM »

After ever trip of several hundred miles.
Always after riding in the rain.
After several daily rides if it appears dirty. (probably wash once a week)

Soap and water is cheap and it takes only a few minutes to do a wash job.
As for a detailed cleaning, when I have the time and it needs it.

You folks that do not wash your bike? How do you know which is the "shiney" side?


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fuzzy2bucks
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« Reply #18 on: August 17, 2010, 12:35:04 PM »

Have been taught never to wash a motorcycle with soap and water, unless it is a dirt bike with caked on mud.  I just use Honda brand cleaning spray in the can and wipe it off, much better than Kawasaki's cleaning spray which requires an extra step which I use on my KAW Vulcan until I found the Honda product.
« Last Edit: August 18, 2010, 08:50:37 AM by fuzzy2bucks » Logged
Michvalk
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Remus, Mi


« Reply #19 on: August 17, 2010, 03:14:26 PM »

I live on a gravel road (3/4 mile to blacktop) ride early spring, late fall, sometimes in the winter. I Have to wash mine at least every other week, or I can't move it without the motor.(HEAVY) Needs it now, but won't get it until the weekend. cooldude
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NCGhostrider
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« Reply #20 on: August 17, 2010, 03:55:05 PM »

Wish I had time to wash my bike.  Now I am lucky to get q quick wipe down and clean the windshield before a ride.  I have been debating a thorough cleaning, but its so dang hot here that I will probably not do it!
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Kaz
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Green Bay, WI


« Reply #21 on: August 17, 2010, 04:58:04 PM »

I may not be a Daniel Meyer the III but washing your bike gets in the way of riding it doesn't it?
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tank_post142
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south florida


« Reply #22 on: August 17, 2010, 06:59:59 PM »

hurricane wilma cleaned it up a while back.
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alph
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Eau Claire, WI.


« Reply #23 on: August 17, 2010, 07:55:10 PM »

when ever i get time!!  lately it's about once a month.....  Cry
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vanagon40
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Greenwood, IN


« Reply #24 on: August 18, 2010, 12:39:00 AM »

I think the original owner spent more time polishing than riding.  He claimed that after every ride he polished the bike with Honda spray.  Between 2001 and 2006, he put 4,300 miles on the bike.

I wash the bike with water and soap at least once a year.  Honda Polish without water a few times in between.  If my disc brakes made less dust, or if I never rode in rain or on wet roads, I might never clean the bike.

Ride first, polish second.
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Rocketman
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Seabrook, Texas


« Reply #25 on: August 18, 2010, 03:53:42 AM »

She keeps telling me that if it sits still long enough to wash, it will get washed.


Still, it almost never does. 
Shown above:  One of the rare times, when the Valkyrie got the well deserved rest and bath after ~3500 miles to InZane.
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Hoser
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« Reply #26 on: August 18, 2010, 06:06:25 AM »

I dont, but at least once a week....

http://www.valkyrienorway.com/webcam/garage.html

Of course  I do, at least a wipe down.  Hoser
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big turkey
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« Reply #27 on: August 18, 2010, 06:09:00 AM »

Why wash when you can trade it ,,,,,,,in the same amount of time.

Land Elephant is the Premier authority on washing bikes.

Ask him.

Big Al
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Normandog
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« Reply #28 on: August 18, 2010, 06:22:33 AM »

Used to wash it before every ride and sometimes after if I rode home in rain. BUT as I got to riding more and more I learned the real enjoyment in a motorcycle is riding and not washing. So now I wash it when the spirit moves me.
I mean Daniel Myer's bike looks like a bike that belongs to a man who knows how to enjoy his motorcycle. He rides it. Thanks for the inspiration Daniel  cooldude
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Dag
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I have a love affair with a bumblebee

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« Reply #29 on: August 18, 2010, 06:41:19 AM »

2004 - 2011 -  Just call me Daniel Meyer Jr.


LOL RJ!  cooldude

I've about gotten my 2004 Alaska ride all washed off her now...




That is the worst I've ever seen .... shame on you Daniel.  tickedoff
I can barely see a Valkyrie behind all the crap.

 Grin   Grin    Grin
« Last Edit: August 18, 2010, 06:42:58 AM by Dag » Logged

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Dag
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I have a love affair with a bumblebee

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« Reply #30 on: August 18, 2010, 06:46:25 AM »

She keeps telling me that if it sits still long enough to wash, it will get washed.


Still, it almost never does.  
Shown above:  One of the rare times, when the Valkyrie got the well deserved rest and bath after ~3500 miles to InZane.


This is what I like to watch. Two beautiful ladies taking a "shower" together   cooldude
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big turkey
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« Reply #31 on: August 18, 2010, 06:47:37 AM »

That's not crap,,,,,,,, that's adventure.

Big Al
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KW
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West Michigan


« Reply #32 on: August 18, 2010, 06:52:52 AM »

I used to wash AND detail her once a week . . .  This summer? I'm on pace to log more miles than any other summer, but have only wash her off 2 or 3 times and detailed her once. Am I a bad parent?
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Dag
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I have a love affair with a bumblebee

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« Reply #33 on: August 18, 2010, 06:54:19 AM »

That's not crap,,,,,,,, that's adventure.

Big Al




OK, I do also have some "adventure" covering my Valk sometimes, but I use to wash it off and convert it to a good memory.
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KW
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West Michigan


« Reply #34 on: August 18, 2010, 06:55:03 AM »

PS - In that picture of Daniel Meyer's bike . . . that the oddest trailer I've ever seen behind his bike. How did it travel down the highway?!?!?   uglystupid2
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hubcapsc
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upstate

South Carolina


« Reply #35 on: August 18, 2010, 07:44:01 AM »


I "Joe's Juice" mine off when it gets embarrassing, and clean the snot out of stuff when I do maintenance...



-Mike
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Daniel Meyer
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« Reply #36 on: August 18, 2010, 09:00:19 AM »

PS - In that picture of Daniel Meyer's bike . . . that the oddest trailer I've ever seen behind his bike. How did it travel down the highway?!?!?   uglystupid2


Funny thing is the hotel staff wiped down my jacket, pack, and boots for me. They also gave me free laundry to wash my jeans. Guess they didn't want me in the hotel room that dirty.

That's 5000 miles of grime right there (Dallas, Texas to Fairbanks, Alaska...via Wisconsin). Several hundred of it mud roads.


(I wiped the blinkers/tailight at each fillup)
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Daniel Meyer
Chrisj CMA
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Crestview (Panhandle) Florida


« Reply #37 on: August 18, 2010, 09:01:31 AM »

Ive had my Valk over 8 years now........properly washed it with the bucket and soap mayby 4 times, but I do wiper her down after every ride and gently rinse off the very dirty parts immediatly upon arrivin g home is I had to ride in rain,dirt,etc..........I do the serious cleaning after supper before going to bed so cleaning never interferes with riding.  117,000 miles and shealways looks like this........well almost always.....  Grin

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KW
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West Michigan


« Reply #38 on: August 18, 2010, 09:46:35 AM »

Daniel; that IS impressive my friend! Wow! Are those LytherLyke bags? It's just a little hard to tell . .   Cheesy

My bride and I plan on 'going west' next summer. I just called her in the Library to read your post and to telll her "that's our goal!" I hope I didn't scare her!
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