Cleaning the bike

[BigAlan]

I am picking up my new GTR on Sep 1st, i shall be doing approx 500 miles straight away on a trip up to snowdonia with mates, so with cleaning in mind i usually wash the bike with warm water and whatever washing up liquid her indoors has to hand, then wash it down using a bucket, so my question is how would a light pressure washing affect the cleaning? I underatand not to do the radiator but even with a hugger fitted i guess the rear end is going to get covered in crap, so my idea just to gently squirt underneath would seem ok?

What do you do?

Thanks
Alan

[Kwikasfuki]

ACF50 all over exposed metal parts, except brakes. When you come to house the dirt will fly off.

Always apply ACF50 after washing. Will prevent rust.

[BigAlan]

Is that the spray type you can get?

Alan

[routemaster]

Hi

I think you would be better off using reasonably priced car shampoo with wax rather than washing up liquid as it is better for the paint work.

I find that the GTR doesn't get the dirty or has that much muck on the hugger/rear suspension, when compared to a lot of other bikes. So in terms of cleaning I will sometimes use something like "Muck Off" and then a reasonably priced car shampoo. Periodically I will use one of the Autoglym polishes (I think I use Super Resin) - the polish is easy to apply and tends to last 6-8 weeks and tends to keep the bike very clean. I will occasionally call into the local filling station to use the pressure washer to just hose down the bike.

During the winter months I tend to use Scotoiler FST365 to add some additional protection against winter weather etc

Steve

[Boomer]

With a jetwash just be careful around the indicators (front and rear) as the pressure can force water past the seal and into the indicator.
If you use high pressure it can also remove some of the paint from the swingarm linkages.

I use a car shampoo with wax and if I'm in a good mood, I then wax it again afterwards.
In the winter she gets washed weekly, at the moment monthly if she's lucky.

As for washing her after every ride,..... no chance.
When I get home after a 12hr day I'm knacked and raging from having had to cope with several hundred ****hole car drivers on the M25/A13.

[Lonewolf]

Bigalan, I would never use washing up liqued as it has a very high concentrate of salt as part of the ingredient. (Not a lot of people know that!) Car shampoo is cheap and practical.
I always rinse the bike with cold water from a hose, then spray with Muckoff, then rinse with hose again and sponge working up a lather, rinse again, chamois it dry, and then polish it. Takes less than an hour and the bike is back to looking stunning again.

[pembsgtr]

Remember reading somewhere that cold water is preferable especially if riding during the winter and the local councils have been out spreading salt everywhere. Using hot water can allegedly  cause the salt to react and cause corrosion.

[BigAlan]

Car shampoo it is then, and i will give it a coat of the ACF50 initially, i have access to a adjustable power wash so will use it simply for the crap under the rear end. I shall lovingly clean the dront end manually.

Alan

[Kwikasfuki]

Spray the ACF50 and then wipe over exposed metal parts. Hard to reach areas just spray directly.

Washing a bike more than twice a year is excessive. Remember, your bike loves to be ridden. Keep it locked and clean just gets it frustrated :D

[routemaster]

I would agree, excessive cleaning is not good for the bike or the soul - although I do have a habit of cleaning mine it is very rarely locked away for more than a week at a time - hence the 12,000 miles on the clock.

Steve

[fatharry]

I would agree, excessive cleaning is not good for the bike or the soul - although I do have a habit of cleaning mine it is very rarely locked away for more than a week at a time - hence the 12,000 miles on the clock.

Steve

I'm catching you steve......10800 on the clock, and thinking about getting the miles up to 12k, once last service before winter sets in

[Winston Smith]

Never ever use wash-up liquid.  As Wolfie says, it is full of salt and WILL damage the paintwork.

Never use hot water, always cold, especially in winter for the reasons described - it reactivates the electrolytes in salt and makes it aggressive.

Best method, cold water and shampoo after rinsing big bits off with a hose and softening any bugs/muck.

Then rinse with cold water and leather off.

Wax/Polish once a month minimum for brilliant finish

I use Autoglym shampoo, polish and a finishing resin coat.

Between washes in nice weather I use Autoglym showroom polish.

For wheels, use Wonder Wheels.

For leathering off I use a yellow towel type cloth I got from Halfords - Wonder/Magic Cloth or something like that.  Better than a leather.

[Rusty]

Come on NB and RM .... you KNOW there is nothing wrong with excessive cleaning !!!! It's very good for the soul  ;D ;D

[Lonewolf]

Who the hell is this Wolfie character!! ;D

[Winston Smith]

It's a term of endearment Steve!