How do YOU detail your bike?

[dReWpY]

Originally Posted by caveman

I'm with Azoomm, I like to wash my bike. I find its very therapeutic and relaxing. I like to make sure to knock the stuck on bugs and road grime off at least once every week or maybe stretch it to two weeks during the spring when the rain starts leaving it all spotty. During the summer when its mostly dry I will go to once every two weeks or when the grime is just......blegh. I like to keep it clean like Marko said but I don't wax it every time I wash it.
My washing method is simple; little bit of Turtle Wax Zipwax car wash foamed up with HOT water from in the house add in some cold from the hose to cool it down. Got a nice microfiber wash mit and and always as with all vehicles never start to wash a dry bike. Soak her down real good and start from top to bottom front to back. Since I have the removable saddle bags, I pop them off and wash all sides once a month and that way I can check on the tire pressure and the condition of said tire better as well. Since there are so many damn crevices and nooks and crannies I pull out the yard blower and get as much off then wipe off the rest of the water with a synthetic shammy called the Absorber.
Then a quick application of the Bug Slide that Gas previously mentioned. Done. Go for a ride.
As for the end of the year before the bike gets put away for the winter nap. I do the same as above except no blower just wipe it dry. Then we (Gas and I) used the clay bar and then polish and wax. Quick oil change and cover up and tuck her in for a nice winter nap. (Plugged in with battery tender, of course.)

Is it over the top? Nah. Its personal preference. If you don't care to ride around on a dingy, dirty, looks like you just picked it up at an auction look then that's your thing. But I take a bit of personal pride in my ride and like to show it.

of course you enjoy washing your bike, its a HD!
Why do HD riders polish their bikes so much?
makes it easier to spot on the side of the road!

[Dave]

Originally Posted by azoomm

Sorry, that was more at Trip and his constant jabs "your GS is too clean"

Wash when dirty - like DIRTY, break out the hose, Turtle Wax Ice product line - their wash and wax. The spray wax is brilliant as it doesn't leave any white residue and actually makes any of the matte gray/black finish spectacular. All the while leaving that wax layer so I an just easily wipe off bugs/dirt/stuff later after a ride.

Quick detail - www.nowet.com is the best I know. I posted it in the bug thread as it's the best product I've ever used for that. Even to spray on and let disolve bugs... quick and easy.

I'm also a BIG fan of http://www.motorexusa.com/products.asp Their chain clean products are da bomb!!

You forgot to mention the put on bikini step

[Tmall]

With the Buell, I'd wash it when it really dirty, just a regular old wash.

With the KX, I hose it down every time I ride it, followed by a wash. Followed by any maintenance that it needs. Followed by a chain inspection, degrease and proper lubing. Followed by cleaning and oiling the air filter. I think I'll start waxing the plastics to see if it makes it any easier to clean.

Funny enough, it's quicker to keep the KX clean than it was the Buell, the rims on the Buell would take about 20 minutes each. I can do the whole KX in that amount of time.

[G-Rex]

Rookies.

If you're going to *really* clean it, then you need to take the thing entirely apart. Marko, your bike is dirty. You just can't see it. I'm calling you out.

[marko138]

Originally Posted by G-Rex

Rookies.

If you're going to *really* clean it, then you need to take the thing entirely apart. Marko, your bike is dirty. You just can't see it. I'm calling you out.

Mad respect, brother.

[Homeslice]

Props to those who keep thier shit clean, but....

I've never understood how people think a bike is worth a big premium over blue book just because it's spotless. I could buy a dirty bike and make it spotless in one afternoon, so I'm not paying anyone extra to do that for me.

I know, I know, the assumption is that if someone keeps his bike clean, he probably maintained it well too........But you don't know that unless you see his records or know him personally.

[marko138]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Props to those who keep thier shit clean, but....

I've never understood how people think a bike is worth a big premium over blue book just because it's spotless. I could buy a dirty bike and make it spotless in one afternoon, so I'm not paying anyone extra to do that for me.

I know, I know, the assumption is that if someone keeps his bike clean, he probably maintained it well too........But you don't know that unless you see his records or know him personally.

Blue Book has nothing to do with why I keep it clean. I do it for pride. I like everything I own to fucking look nice. And, on an aside, I maintain my shit too.

[G-Rex]

Originally Posted by marko138

Blue Book has nothing to do with why I keep it clean. I do it for pride. I like everything I own to fucking look nice. And, on an aside, I maintain my shit too.

What he said.

[TYEster]

3 simple steps...

Push bike in yard, hookup the hose, unless the fury of 2200psi!


I do it every weekend, it's down to a science because when I'm done riding it's the only thing(next to a personal shower) that stands between me and Pluckers.

[Gas Man]

Originally Posted by marko138

I wash with a hose, a wash mitt, and Armor All car wash soap. Then I wax with Turtle Wax Ice.

Always. My rig is never dirty. Same goes for my car, my home, my yard, my cymbals, my drums, my guitars. I keep my shit clean.

I'm mostly the same way. But I really don't go all mad crazy cleaning my hog.

Funny thing is... I did when I had the chop. But to have one of those un clean just never looked right. Cave use to always give me shit about it, and he never washed his Honda.

Then poof... I got my Ultra and I wash it once a month unless caught in the rain... then I'll wash it when I'm free. But I have been known to rock out a real dirty bike for a few weeks, especially after a long road trip.

Cave on the other hand washes his HD a ton. Especially when compared to his when he had his Honda. It's like the shoes got flipped...

Originally Posted by RedRider2k2

Pressure wash it when the Headlights have trouble cutting through the bugs.

That's not good for the bike... honestly. Try some of the bug slide I posted about.

Originally Posted by marko138

I use the absorber too....used it for probably 10 or so years. Works great.

Oh yeah, I've had mine for over 15years... I swear. I think I own 2 or 3 of them.