Bike, how often and for how long do you wash yours?

[synaptyx]

I haven't washed mine in... weeks. Well, the weather's been crap and It's been dark by the time I got home... etc... There's always something getting in the way. So, before I make myself go out on this glorious, sunny Sunday afternoon, I just wanted to know how often you all did yours and for how long... Oh, and who does it? You? Partner? Kids?

I realise I may not be covering every base with these poll options, just pick the best fit and explain yourself in a post.

Ta!

In the time it's taken me to type all this stuff, the wife has decreed today is the day we go Christmas shopping. Bollocks!

[skyline]

Hell it comes down to, i can spend 30mins in nice weather to wash and dry. Or i can be riding the damn thing while its still dry!

[Rory]

I usually wash it after a ride, especially just now so that it won't rot away to nothing. So washing frequency is tied to how often I go out on it.
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[hustler]

Very funny options. I wash it when I can, although with it being dark and wet a lot its looking rather dirty at the moment. In the summer, she shines
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[mchaggis]

Clean the exhausts so that the chrome doesn't develop too large rust spots every week or two, clean the forks at the same time to prevent pitting, and pretty much leave the rest of it unless I am feeling particularly keen.

Generally it's a case of keeping the bits which rust clean and leaving the rest of it to get dirty.
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[Barker-CBR 600]

Dammit i'm the only 'My Muc Off' so far.

My defence is that its a habit from owning a cruiser since there simply aint a market for tatty ones. So once a week i would spend at least an hour (not too bad with stereo on and a heater) in the garage cleaning and polishing till its spick an span. And if i rode in the wet i would always spend 15 mins or so drying it off with some cloths etc so rust didnt have a chance to take hold.

Now got a CBR i guess i can relax, but i'll probably still spend half hour or so at least once a week cleaning it... no better feeling than having a like new polished to perfection bike waiting for you when you open the garage door.

*EDIT* Tip for winter storage of cruisers, dont leave them in the garage without polishing them!

Dad had an intruder 650 a few years ago, took about 4-5 hours of cleaning and elbow grease after leaving it for a winter to get it sorted again due to rust and condensation damage etc...
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[Keith]

"Once a week"

I tend to clean it as often as that, but you get the odd day where the weather doesnt let you (I.E today.)

Usually spend about 2 hours doing it. I like it to shine and tend to work hard on the wheels.

Mines filthy, really want to get it clean of muck and road salts but it wont stop raining.

Dont have the space in my garage or I'd do it in there.
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[Ste]

What is this cleaning that you speak of?

Normally use pressure washer to clean bike, quickest and easiest method. Make sure you don't point the thing at any bearings etc. Also gives you a good excuse to go for a high speed ride after, to help dry the bike officer.

[Flip]

Same as NS Keith.

Spend around 2 hours cleaning it every week, making sure the wheels are spotless etc. I usually adjust and clean, re wax the chain too. Yes I have the muc-off kit too (even have a toothbrush in mine). Although for cleaning the body work soapy water and a sponge prob works better.

Whack some AC/DC on a stereo and spent the afternoon getting it pretty. Only to use it the next day and turn it instantly into a banging mess again.

[JodieWodie]

I wash the bike about once a week.

I used bike cleaner and warm water,..then I polish her with a good car polish.

It takes me about 15 minutes to wash her..then another 15 to polish and buff up

She is in very nice shape...very shiny and pretty

I hate, hate, hate seeing dirty exhausts
They must be like mirrors
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[JonB]

I've washed mine errr, once in the past 7 months!

Lets face it, it's fuggin ugly anyway and as long as the rider is the sexiest dude about who cares, really?
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[Rory]

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[mchaggis]

[mattsmith95]

As I have three bikes to look after it's a bit tricky.

The 51reg CB250 is always clean, I only take her out in the dry
but I do give her a quick wipe over before I use her.

The T-teg CB250 gets dirty often, I just give her a quick bucket
of water before going to work if I get her dirty.

The CD250U gets a wash when I feel like it, it's mainly the bike
I use if it's going to hack down with rain all day. (the t-reg is used
if it's the odd shower.

I do like to keep my bikes clean, it's for professional reasons and
I'm proud of my bikes. Also having a clean bike keeps the police
off your back.

[Rory]

[JonB]

[Ste]

Because the police can really see quite how clean your bike is when they see you ride past and so they choose to ignore your riding "Wow, that bike is really shiney, lets ignore the fact he is riding like a twat". The police really aren't going to care one little bit if your bike is clean or not, please stop kidding yourself.

[Dom_]

Clean it once a week, although its been sat for over a months its REALLY clean now. That will change in 13days though.

Takes about 45mins - 1hr30 to clean it

[mattsmith95]

[allweatherbik...]

I use my bike to go to work six days a week. I wash it once a week and it usually take about an hour. I hose it with water first then spray the wheels and engine with Gunk which I leave on for five minutes then hose off again, then wash with car shampoo, then rinse.

Ian

[tatters]

the police are more likey to pull tatty dirty bikes and cars, because there the sort that are likely to have been nicked or don,t have insurance/tax. or if there in that state they could,nt not be road legal, ie bald tyres
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[binge]

I think there were a bit too many choices on the poll IMO!


I clean my Scooter almost every week, But because I clean it so often, Its VERY rare that I even get it wet, I just go over it with a polishing cloth, get rid of the dust. Give it a quick clean with spray n shine and the get a rag, get all the brake dust off the rims and clean under my wheel arches.
I then spray spray shine on all the black plastic bits like the foot well and the arches... Give the exhaust another coat of WD40 to stop Mr rust getting the better of it. Clean the oil off from around the oil pump and then take it for a spin ...

All the girls comment on how shiney it always is ...

But ovet the last week, My scooter (well, frame and wheels) has been in the workshop and ive got a got a pile of plastics in my garage which have been partly sprayed up to look custom and ive put blue sidelights in my headlights...

Ill post sum pics when its all back together

<|Ben|>

[iCraig]

I clean my bike every weekend and polish it whether it needs it or not.

Though this weekend I have neglected it somewhat, though I'll do it tomorow as its my day off .

[cagiva gezzer]

I do mine when i get bored. I do a proper clean and remove all the pannels and the tank and get right in there.

If i'm really bored the engine will come out and i'll clean everything. Sad, i know.
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[madbikerbabe]

erm !!!....the rain washes mine
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