VERY important bike washing survey

[D O G]

I was washing the bike yesterday, which I really, really dislike. I was chatting with my (Firestorm owning) neighbor, who was also of the opinion that washing one's bike is proper shit I tell thee.

Its sooooo fiddly, and I can never seem to get it sparkling in the bits which get really grimy - brakes, rear swingarm etc. etc..

However, a couple of other guys that I know seem to delight in cleaning and keeping their bikes absolutely gleaming. I just cant understand how they do this?

Even after the 70 mile dry blast I had last night, it now is dirty again (wheels grimy, chain lube flung everywhere). What is the point in making it perfect in the first place when it will just get dirty again?

All I want to know is whether I am in the majority of opinion, and you guys are similarly peeved with washing, or whether I am just a slovenly, lazy git.

Ta

As you can see, I have tried to embrace the potential wide range of opinions on the subject!

[bazza]

[ram_doom]

I hate washing the bike, but love the results of a good polish I'm one of those sado's who takes the fairings off and cleans inside, and under the seat too
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TL1000s, KDX200

[qthetape]

cleaning your bike is a great way to check everythings in order mechanically
(much easier to do mentaly if im fixing/checking rather than cleaning, which according to nature is a girls job )


quick tip:only lube the inside of the chain lightly but frequently, wait 5 mins and wipe off the excess, cuts down on crud and gets the lube where its meant to be-inside the rollers
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found something better to do with my time

[Rookie]

To clean really greasy grimey bits buy some degreaser stuff, Autoglym do it and it's miraculous.

If your chain lube is flinging off everywhere, you're buying the wrong kind of chain lube.

Shouldn't really be that hard to keep the bike clean in this sort of weather, when it rains it's harder. Generally though I only gave mine a proper clean once every month or so.

[qthetape]

to the person who loves cleaning bikes

whats your number? (in a completely non-ghey sense)
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found something better to do with my time

[stinkwheel]

I want my chain oil to fling off everywhere, it flings the dirt and grit with it instead of sitting on the chain grinding it into oblivion. Stops the back wheel and swingarm assembly corroding too.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[TheShaggyDA]

Depends on the bike - my AJS and Enfield were kept quite clean, wheras the others only got done if I was bored. I don't get bored much.
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[super-duper-moto]

[Ben.]

why did you put 'VERY important... survey'
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follow my racing season
Race bike - R6
Road bike - sv650

[phk6]

i voted 'I don't like it, so I do the bare minimum - its gonna get dirty again isn't it.'

as long as it will scrub up nicely thats all that im bothered about, i dont care about a few small scratchs

but what i do care about is keeping the engine, brakes, chain and other stuff like bearings in good working order
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Current .. 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure ..
Before .. 2003 Yamaha Fazer 1000 .. 2004 Kawazaki Z1000 .. 2003 Suzuki Sv1000s .. 1999 zx6r Track Bike .. 1999 CB 500 Cup ..
/Phil

[Andy C]

I quite like to give it a 2hour clean where all the grime gets taken off with a toothbrush and parrafin. (though you usually get only most )

Like said, i only recognise faults when cleaning, well cosmetic ones anyways. Also, now its summer it stays clean for ages (minus flies).
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[iooi]

Gets washed far more in winter, just to keep the salt at bay, as for summer maybe once a month.....
Car well it did rain again today...
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Hairy Ben]

I've owned the GS for just over a year now. And in that time it's been jetwashed once in 10,000 miles of all weather all season use.

I bought it to ride, not to look at. Plus I like ratbikes.
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...and thus true enlightenment is achieved.

I think, therefore I am... I ride a BMW, therefore I smell of wee...

[ram_doom]

[LUXY DJ]

voted -

[craigs23]

It depends on the bike, but generally, I don't actually spend too much time washing them.

The CB1 get used daily, it'll get a wash once a month if I'm in the mood, which'll take half an hour tops. Over the winter I'll rinse the salt off after every ride (once cooled) to keep corrosion at bay, but I doubt my I'll wash it any more reguarly.

My NC30 won't be washed again, but does get "cleaned" a little too obsessively. Not at the moment though, but once its back on the road, I'll clean off the brake dust/dead flies after every ride. Usually takes 20 minutes or so.

[krebsy]

Need to clean mine up for the MOT this week (must book it) but this'll require stripping off the fairings and scrubbing down the engine. I'm going to fit a hugger (if the DHL delivery guy will pick up his phone so I can re-arrange the delivery to my work) so I'll be scrubbing down and polishing up the shock and swingarm...

K.
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What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[lozzypop1]

[craigs23]

[qthetape]

clothes washing machine liquid is a great degreaser and smells nice too

trick with degreasers is to leave on and agitate with an old toothbrush - and keep it well away from bearings/chain/gaskets etc
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found something better to do with my time

[lozzypop1]

[sickpup]

[kawakid]

My ER5 gets washed about once a month.

My Z750s gets a full wash down after every ride.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[Mudskipper]

I quite like washing my bike, and would do it more often if I had time. But riding it takes priority.

Fairings get removed and washed in the shower

Stardops is the soapy stuff of magicness.

Hyperclean for chain, wheels and swingarm etc.

A brisk towel dry and a spray of Mr Sheen to finish off.

Jobs a good 'un!
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CBR125|||GSXR400|||CBR400|||CBR400|||CB250RS|||GSXR750|||CB250RS
"You're clumsy, you eat too much and you behave like a 12 year old boy. But you know what? Every once in a while, you find a thumb."