Washing

[old man]

I'm about to prove this saying is incorrect - there is no such thing as a dumb question.

A man stopped me this morning, he told me his son just bought a new bike and asked me how to go about washing it?

I told him just like a car but try not to get water in sensitive areas that house wiring.

It seemed like such a simple answer, I started to wonder if this group of experts has certain cautions or cleaning tips, that are be tried and true detailing recepes, that I and maybe others might find useful.

IE cleaning windshields, removing engine oils/grease, cleaning seats or leather bags, rims, exhaust pipes etc.  Or, have you done something that caused a problem or damage to your bike?

While I'm kind of embarresed to ask this question, the answers may be interesting.

Bracing for the responses - if there are any.

[Moonshot_1]

Lots of different and expensive products out there.

I use hydrogen peroxide (Get some at the local store) and put it in an old spray bottle.
Spray the windshield and any bug spattered chrome and paint and the bugs just fall away.
Doesn't harm the plastics, paint or chrome in the least. Just washed the bike yesterday and I am always amazed at how spectacular the stuff works. Even on the neon yellow bug innards. Spray on, wait 10 seconds, wipe off. Usually just once.

For shine, Lemon Pledge. I've tried the generic stuff but the original Lemon Pledge seems to work the best. Better than a lot of the expensive polish stuff. 

[Steve K (IA)]

I am what I call a "bucket washer".  Warm water and Meguiar's Ultimate Wash & Wax.  I use twice the amount of soap-to-water as recommended.  Garden hose with your norm spray nozzle.  Only use full force of water on front surfaces.

I have soap in a 1 gallon sprayer that I use to pre-treat the bugs on all forward facing surfaces  and the wheels and tires.

Nothing but micro fiber towels.  Finish with Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Quick Wax.  This comes in a spray bottle.  I spray it on a towel and wipe on.  Trying to spray on a surface gives you over-spray where you don't want it.

As far as chrome / aluminum polish for the wheels and exhaust.  Magic Mix is the Best.  If you can't find Magic Mix, White Diamond will more than do.  Actually,  I am suspicious the 2 are the same.

[sandy]

Good suggestions. I pre dry with a leaf blower and finish with an Absorber towel. Similar to a shamois but synthetic. My hose nozzle is set to a shower pattern so there's no hard forceful jet of water.

[Jess from VA]

If the bike is filthy, I scrub the cruddy bottom first (mag wheel cleaner/S100/nitrile gloves/stiff brushes), then go back and do the rest (with fresh soapy water).

I do not do the whole bike at once like my car.  I wash in sections, rinsing as I go.  I just use a pretty fine mist, not a blasting hose.  I find a collection of stiff and soft (bottle type) brushes do a better job than rags, in the hard to reach areas (saves stoved up fingers), but use microfiber cloth to wash most of the paint, shield)

I use a gas Stihl leaf blower to remove most of the water, then go back with clean towel and microfiber.  I use soap with wax in it, and do not wax after every wash (except once in a while).  

I usually go around with electronic cleaner spray (thin nozzle) and do my handlebar switches and locks after a wash.  

[Bighead]

I use simple green auto as a pre soak then after letting it sit for a few minutes (DO NOT SPRAY ON WHEN HOT after riding) spray it off then bucket wash as above. And use air compressor to blow the water from small places and dry with an absorber as above. NO PRESSURE WASHER.

[Farther]

When it is nice enough to wash the bike it is also nice enough to go for a ride.  I ride a very dirty bike.

[Bighead]

When it is nice enough to wash the bike it is also nice enough to go for a ride.  I ride a very dirty bike.

Nah you should see DDT's 450k on the clock and I think it has one of the first bugs that he ever hit still on it

[KG]

https://rideapart.com/articles/how-to-wash-your-motorcycle

[ValkISDan]

Lots of guys use a leaf blower to dry, I personally use an air compressor. Properly drying is the finishing touch on a good bike wash. 

[Hook#3287]

Lots of guys use a leaf blower to dry, I personally use an air compressor. Properly drying is the finishing touch on a good bike wash. 

I used to use my electric leaf blower to dry my bike, till I got my backpack blower

[iliveforcurves]

I always put a piece of painter's tape over all keyholes to keep water out.  I also try to avoid getting soap into the wheel bearings.

[Moonshot_1]

After doing some research this is probably one of the leading industry bike washing standard for the best and easiest way to wash a motorcycle. It's perhaps a little technical.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXXu35uC1KI

[Xtracho]

The only time I use any water to clean the gurl is if she gets really, really dirty. I use Lemon Pledge and spray it on liberally, along with good micro-fiber rags. Mothers Chrome Polish on the shiny parts.

[Pappy!]

When it is nice enough to wash the bike it is also nice enough to go for a ride.  I ride a very dirty bike.

Nah you should see DDT's 450k on the clock and I think it has one of the first bugs that he ever hit still on it

Nope, Gordon washed it for him!
And, I am thinking he had 471K and counting last time he posted it.

[cookiedough]

bucket washer also, just car wash soap and HOT water and an old cloth cotton sock being clean.  Start at tank, do sides, then front fender, rear fender, pipes, and lastly front behind fender underneath and windshield where bugs are at mostly,  then rims.   My clean water is black when done and disgusting.  It is if I took off 1/2 the black paint on the bike. 

I do not rub hard at all and rinse after every swipe and don't use much water ringing out the old sock partially before applying.  The harder you rub, the more scratches and swirls in the paint.  Dry each part separately like do the tank and use chamois cloth right after not letting it dry all the way.  Doing bike in sections washing then drying works best not leaving streaks.

Put a coat of your favorite wax 1-2 times per year is all on the metal/plastic and use cheap old turtle wax chrome polish/rust remover on the chrome pipes and part of engine. 

I dry after washing with old clean sock turned inside out immediately each section with a chamois cloth gently.

Never felt the need to hose the bike down first with garden hose.  HOT water which is cold when done helpes remove bugs with soapy water solution in bucket.

Probably not the best, but is the cheapest method and cleans up good enough for me.   

Do NOT use a pressure washer on your bike, probably never needed.  I think the previous owner of my I/S did that and the radiator fins are smushed in at places, not terrible, but not good either.  Never felt the need for a garden hose either since water and electronics usually do not mix well.

[Dark]

The only time I use any water to clean the gurl is if she gets really, really dirty. I use Lemon Pledge and spray it on liberally, along with good micro-fiber rags. Mothers Chrome Polish on the shiny parts.

+1
That's the same for me, I've used Favor furniture polish at times but I think Pledge shines better

[old man]

Thanks to all who responded. Thanks for especially for not poking fun of the question. It actually brought up a few interesting responses.  I'll be sharing this string with the gentleman who asked in the first place.

Sincerely

[Bighead]

When it is nice enough to wash the bike it is also nice enough to go for a ride.  I ride a very dirty bike.

Nah you should see DDT's 450k on the clock and I think it has one of the first bugs that he ever hit still on it

Nope, Gordon washed it for him!
And, I am thinking he had 471K and counting last time he posted it.

I just saw DDT and the bike two weeks ago and it hasn't seen soap in a while I promise