Washing your sports bike

[jwardmagic]

I was wondering how often is best to clean/polish your bike? I have an aprilia RS125, and did both about two weeks ago, is it time to give my bike a bath? (Im seventeen and on CBT...)

[Mr.Everready]

I clean it when it gets dirty. If it isn't dirty why clean it ?

And why is being 17 and on CBT relevent to the question ?
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the undemocratically unelected mod of the Scottish section

[Chiz]

I try and clean my NSR every week, i never polish it. With my old TZR i washed it every week and polished it when i came to sell it. It depends what mileage you do and if you ride in the rain, cold (because of salt) etc.

[jwardmagic]

Just to let you know that Im a learner.

[Barry_M2]

[jwardmagic]

Im new to everything about bikes...so the reason Im asking if there is a specific certain time thats best to wash or getting into a routine of doing it or something is because Im new and dont know.

[Mark_petty]

just wash it when you can be bothered and if its dirty
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[Rides: Suzuki GSF600sx]
[CBT: Passed] [Theory: Passed] [DAS: Passed]

[Barry_M2]

[jwardmagic]

jeez..i was only asking

[Ste]

Wash it just before selling it.

[craigs23]

I clean and polish mine when I think it needs doing, which can be quite regularly. I haven't washed it at all since having it for the last 6 months.

[Barry_M2]

[Barry_M2]

[Groove]

I just cleaned my CBR 6

Only cleaned all visable bits, WD-40 is my God. Oh how i worship it

Did everything includeing frame (that i could see...) swingarm, wheels (My white rim tape is white again! )

Then took it to the shops without protective gear . Just to see what the fus was about



(Im 17 but ive got a full licence *stops willy waving*)
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|| Past: 1991 Kawasaki ZXR 250 ~ 2003 Honda CBR 600 F Sport ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1999 Yamaha R1 ~ 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R J ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1998 Honda VTR1000F Firestorm ~ K1 GSXR 600 Track bike ~ K6 GSXR 1000 ~ 2006 Speed Triple 1050 || Current: 2005 R1 https://www.adrucore.co.uk

[mrchips]

I find the bike doesn't dirty fast, with me being a fair weather scumbag, but the odd wash periodically makes it feel loved.


With the car I'm quite anal about cleaning it, generally 1-3 times a week.
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Northern Irish? www.nibikers.com

[craigs23]

[R6jonny]

i washed my R6 about 3 times in a year : D

the gixxer ive had for 2 weeks and it has had at least 3 full washes then been polished

in between is been MR Sheened every day ...sometimes twice a day
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Honda NSR125 - Yamaha R6 - Ducati 748 - Suzuki GSXR750K6/GSXR1000K7/GSXR750K8 - Ducati 848 - Honda SP1 - Triumph Daytona 675
"simply because she is a female and is thus her actions largely make no sense whatsoever by default"

[Mark_petty]

bikes & cars to go better after a wash
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[Rides: Suzuki GSF600sx]
[CBT: Passed] [Theory: Passed] [DAS: Passed]

[landy.s11a]

[McGee]

Do not use a pressure washer
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◙◙► K6 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 1000 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► 96 RF600r ◄◙◙
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

[tatters]

I,ve justed washed mine today in the south east, with a hose pipe
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[McGee]

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◙◙► K6 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 1000 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► 96 RF600r ◄◙◙
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

[R6jonny]

[feef]

we're now well into 2006, so I think it's time I washed my car and bikes.

a
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Mudskipper wrote: feef, that is such a beautiful post that it gave me a lady tingle
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[Cillit-BANG]

If you know what your doing there is nothing wrong with a pressure washer. It's quite easy to go mad with one though

I wash mine when it's dirty but usually clean and fettle around the sporcket/chain every couple of rides in the summer. In the winter it gets washed after every dirty ride.

Buying specific bike cleaing products will help, but you can get buy if your on a budget.

For washing I use a very mild dilution car shampoo with a good rinse.
For polishing I use turtle-wax which is about £2-£3 a bottle and will last about a year
For de-greasing I use parafin which is about £5 per gallon and I'm still on my first bottle 2 years later.

Never use fairy-liquid though because it contains things not suitable for vehicles.

Wash it as often as your happy with.