Motorcycle washing

8514 Views 28 Replies 22 Participants Last post by SpunN16, Apr 8, 2017

bgd8rd

Discussion Starter · Aug 13, 2014

This may seem like a silly question but can you take a motorcycle to the car wash? Or how do you guys keep your CTX looking fresh? Thank you from a very novice rider.

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

DarrenK

· #2 · Aug 13, 2014

Not a silly question, bgd8rd. I asked the tech when the same thing when he gave me my operational walkthrough. He told me I could rinse the bike with a low pressure (shower or flood setting) garden hose, but don't spray it with full or high pressure. I've been doing so since with no ill effects. I do try to keep the controls and instruments dry, but if they do get wet, I just dry them with a soft towel. A splash of water won't hurt your bike (after all, it was designed to be able to operate in the rain), but the high pressure of a car was could get water in places it shouldn't be.

bgd8rd

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 13, 2014

Looks like I'll have to go buy a hose. I live in a duplex and the faucet is on the side of the unit. Oh well.. Not the end of the world. Thanks for your reply!

Btw, Darren, I see you're from SC. Are you a big USC fan?

DarrenK

· #4 · Aug 13, 2014

Don't tell anyone around here, but not at all! I don't follow college sports...

bgd8rd

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 13, 2014

Ah, okay, your secret is safe with me.

bubblerboy64

· #6 · Aug 13, 2014

bgd8rd said:
This may seem like a silly question but can you take a motorcycle to the car wash? Or how do you guys keep your CTX looking fresh? Thank you from a very novice rider.

LOL, They way to do it is to strip to the nude and ride the bike thru the drive thru. That way you and the bike both get a bath. Probably attract a lot of attention as well.

I spray my bike with a bike cleaner offered by Harley. Hose it down with light pressure from a garden hose and then I use an air dryer to dry the bike expensive device but worth it. That gets it pretty clean and dry (which I personally think is important my bike is very rarely exposed to wet conditions)I want the water off the bike. I then go over any spots with the Honda spray polish. But I understand Pledge is just as good.

Reactions: 1

jfc77320

· #7 · Aug 13, 2014

Honda also sells a spray on rinse off wash that works very well. It's a bit pricey but it removes bugs, road grime, oil, etc.

Reactions: 2

tptam63

· #8 · Aug 14, 2014

My hubby uses Bead X on the bikes, comes in a spray bottle. It also says Formula 113 on the label. He sprays it on and wipes it with a soft cloth.

belinda k

· #9 · Aug 14, 2014

My husband has always washed his, and my, bikes the same way as he washes our cages. Bucket of water with Armour All Wash and Wax, rag and garden hose. He usually "quick dries" our bikes with his leaf blower. Don't laugh, it works great. He blows the excess water off and then gives them a quick wipe down.

Effem Tee

· #10 · Aug 14, 2014 (Edited)

I'm a simple old fart: I take it to the SprayAndPay; I can do the whole bike for the minimum amount of quarters. I find the tire cleaner setting is best first: I spray the wheel undercarriage, the wheel well and fender undersides, the wheels and tires. Then, I switch to the high pressure soap, and do everything except the seat and instrument cluster. [Bring masking tape to tape off the key slot.] Then the rinse, and finally the spot free rinse.

My local place is only 3 blocks away. When I get home, the few water spots are easily removed by hand using this:
https://www.turtlewax.com/shop/products/turtle-wax-jet-black-black-spray-wax-16-fl-oz Makes my black naked NDT real purrty.

Then I do the Puig screen, the front light lens, and the mirrors with cheapo window cleaner. I finish off with the muffler, using Blue Magic: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ID0H7K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Start to finish in...what?...20 minutes at most.

Ride Often, Ride Safe
f

See less See more

Reactions: 1

Eastgary

· #11 · Aug 14, 2014

I have been washing my 700n with a very mild car wash soap by hand with soft microfibre towles, rinsing it on the gentle spray setting of my garden hose, then detailing it with Honda Pro Spray Cleaner. Some have said this is nothing but glorified "Pledge" but it really shines all the surfaces of the bike nicely plus keeps road dust from clinging on to the plastic bits. Years ago, a friend used Armour All on the seat of his Honda CB750...made it so slick that he almost near slid off every time he stopped or started the bike...since then I stick to the mild wash and Honda Pro.

mrootes

· #12 · Aug 14, 2014

My bike is due for its first wash today. Are you guys serious about the Pledge?

Are you saying to apply it to the black bottom portion and the fairing?

jfc77320

· #13 · Aug 14, 2014

I don't recommend Pledge or Armor All for anything. Stick with a good quality wash and spray on wax designed for plastic or fiberglass. Wax should only be applied to the fairing, front fender and rear plastic panels.

MaineBoy

· #14 · Apr 7, 2016

Mud season here in Maine.

Heavy dirt splatters on the underside and forks. I'm thinking bucket of water and sponge then HondaBrite.

Any other ideas?

Ride safe,
Steve

armycw2

· #15 · Apr 7, 2016

I live on a gravel road, very dusty.. Washing the bike make it look nice for about 40 feet of my paved driveway.. Then its filthy again... Price of living in the woods I guess.

Reactions: 3

jfc77320

· #16 · Apr 7, 2016 (Edited)

MaineBoy said:
Mud season here in Maine.

Heavy dirt splatters on the underside and forks. I'm thinking bucket of water and sponge then HondaBrite.

Any other ideas?

Ride safe,
Steve

Just spray on HondaBrite and rinse well with hose. Dry painted surfaces and Tupperware with towel. Apply spray on wax on the painted surfaces. Be sure to lube the chain well after drying since HondaBrite is a degreaser.

Reactions: 1

Dave98026

· #17 · Apr 7, 2016

As others have mentioned, getting the water back off of the bike makes a huge difference in the final result. I use my ShopVac, with the hose attached to the exhaust, to blow the majority of the water off of the bike, then wipe down the residue.

Favata16

· #18 · Apr 7, 2016

I let mother nature clean my bike ! When it gets too filthy, it gets the garden hose and a bucket of dawn dishwashing soap and hot water. Im not a spit and polish rider , I ride my bike and keep the most important things mechanically cleaned {with oil}

Reactions: 5

Goaltender

· #19 · Jun 4, 2016

Goodby bugs

A cheap way to help get bugs off the paint and windshield is to buy some hydrogen peroxide, put it in a spray bottle, spray and watch the bugs bubble. They come right off after that.

Favata16

· #20 · Jun 4, 2016

I let mother nature do my car washes for me! It gets wet then it gets ridden hard, dries faster that way. Im not a spit and polish rider. When the gunk gets too heavy, out comes the simple green and some old t shirts!.What I really have to keep clean is the windshield!thats my pet peave, I hate smudges and dead bugs on the shield!

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.