Cleaning Practices?

[kmisterk]

Okay, I've seen a couple "generic" motorcycle washing videos out there, with the basics touching on things like:

• Avoid Pressure Washers (hard on exposed bearings/seals)
• Use a 2-bucket system to prevent debris from scratching/damaging paint
• Other basic principles of washing a vehicle

However, I wanted to know what this community thought in terms of keeping their Airheads clean, shiny, etc. I definitely need to give the state of my bike some attention, however, I wanna make sure I'm not doing some kind of disservice to the function of the bike while I'm at it.

[Zombie Master]

You're asking about personal hygiene, that is very personal. If your bike is too clean, you will be ridiculed by ME109, on the other hand you might be like GSPD, and clean you bike yearly, after complete disassembly. How often do you change your underwear?

[ME 109]

My RS is always clean ZM, unless it's covered in mud.
I use CT18 spray, and then use a pressure washer. I've been using a pressure washer for ever.
Don't concentrate the pressure washer on sensitive areas like wheel bearings, and try to ride the bike after washing to dry it all off.
Don't wash with a pressure washer or even a hose, and the put the bike away wet.

[kmisterk]

How often do you change your underwear?

Wait, I'm supposed to *change* my underwear? Hmm. Who knew.

My RS is always clean ZM, unless it's covered in mud.

I use CT18 spray, and then use a pressure washer. I've been using a pressure washer for ever.
Don't concentrate the pressure washer on sensitive areas like wheel bearings, and try to ride the bike after washing to dry it all off.
Don't wash with a pressure washer or even a hose, and the put the bike away wet.

CT18 looks great, but seems somewhat hard to come by in the states. Good info on the pressure washer tips, and of course, I'll absolutely be taking the bike for an obligatory post-wash ride.

[melville]

My RS is always clean ZM, unless it's covered in mud.
I use CT18 spray, and then use a pressure washer. I've been using a pressure washer for ever.
Don't concentrate the pressure washer on sensitive areas like wheel bearings, and try to ride the bike after washing to dry it all off.
Don't wash with a pressure washer or even a hose, and the put the bike away wet.

At my house, we call that 'drying with a high speed air blast.'

[kmisterk]

At my house, we call that 'drying with a high speed air blast.'

I think I'm gonna start calling it the Spin Cycle...

[gspd]

A clean Airhead is a sign of a sick mind...
520,000 kms and counting...

[kmisterk]

A clean Airhead is a sign of a sick mind...
520,000 kms and counting...

Gorgeous!

What process do you use for cleaning?

[Rob Frankham]

A pressure washer is fine as long as you keep the jet away from wheel bearings and other 'vulnerable' areas... there aren't many on an airhead. What it will do, however, is reveal any areas where the paint is (was) loose and tend to remove any protective coatings you have applied.

Rob

[gspd]

A pressure washer is fine as long as you keep the jet away from wheel bearings and other 'vulnerable' areas... there aren't many on an airhead. What it will do, however, is reveal any areas where the paint is (was) loose and tend to remove any protective coatings you have applied.
Rob

A pressure washer is fine as long as you keep the jet away from your entire bike and clean your driveway with it.