Do you wash

[FJR1300]

I'm not talking about washing your hands after you go to the bathroom... I'm talking about washing the bike before a big trip.

I just got done doing a very thorough cleaning of the FJR because I am going on a trip next week. One of my friends thinks I'm crazy because the bike is just going to get dirty on the trip. I told him I will also wash it when I get back and then he thought I was really crazy. My main reason for doing a thorough cleaning before a trip is to give the bike a good check. As I clean all the little areas that are hard to get to, I also check all the connections, bolts and anything else that could be broken or loose.

What do you think... am I crazy or just gay for having a clean bike?

 

[Warpdrv]

Before and after here also... good call....

Put a fresh coat of wax on too... that way bugs don't stick so easily...

Cleans up much nicer... I don't want to chisle off road grime and bugs...

Im too lazy...

Warp

 

[Bounce]

I'll wash mine if we hit some rain.

 

[boogahboogah]

Before the trip to WFO-5, baby got washed & waxed. Got washed once we got home (6300 miles).

If no long trips, just an occasional wash when the bugs have gotten layered...

 

[Mogambo]

I wash before trip, but won't even TOUCH the windshield or anything else until I get back. Then when I DO get back, I like to look at the bike and think fondly, "Man we went through some shit didn't we."

I then give he bike a friendly pat, and I wash. Because..as we all know....it's not a thing....it's alive!

 

[Grumpy]

I wash before trip, but won't even TOUCH the windshield or anything else until I get back. Then when I DO get back, I like to look at the bike and think fondly, "Man we went through some shit didn't we."
I then give he bike a friendly pat, and I wash. Because..as we all know....it's not a thing....it's alive!

+1.......5400 miles to Nova Scotia and back, washed it when I got home........EOM; washed it when I got home!

jim

 

[HaulinAshe]

I do exactly what I do with my MX bikes. After I ride, I wash. Only exception is day-to-day back and forth to work when I may not have time. But long weekend rides definitely end in a thorough wash. That way the bike is clean when I leave next and the bugs have not had time to harden to 3000 psi concrete.

Wax is a good idea before a trip. It really does make everything clean up easier.

 

[smitty141]

Your not crazy Marc... I alway have a clean bike before I ride. I will also wipe it down the following morning on a trip to remove the heavy stuff. I carry a few towels with me for this. I will wet one down and lay it on my windscreen for a few minutes to help in bug gut removal. Just make sense to me to take care of ones bike.

Keep it clean!! :yahoo: :yahoo:

Smitty

 

[Rickster]

that depends....

for a long trip during love-bug season -- lots of wax prior to starting.

normally -- wash when i return.

ymmv.

i wasn't -- but i will.... i watched a show on how to wash your hands in a public bathroom....

you may NOT know how -- but here's the recommendation (and it makes sense)

1) wind down some towels if they have paper ones.

2) soap up, turn on the water -- wash. leave the water on.

3) pull off the spooled down paper towels (step 1), and dry your hands.

4) after dry -- use the paper towel to turn off the water.

5) use the paper towel to open the door

6) if the trash can is convenient -- toss the paper towel in it after the door is open,

if not convenient -- just throw it on the floor near the sink.

again -- i didn't write it -- just saw it -- and am now responsibly relaying the info to you!

 

[huron52]

Yes I was my bike before a trip. Somehow it almost always gets rained on. But it stays dirty until I get back home and then it gets washed again.

Day trips or riding to work, wash it once a week or more. Depending if looks like it is getting dirty.

 

[blueman]

Wash it, wax it, look at it check fasteners before and after trips. Normal stuff. And don't let your 19 year old moto head get his hands on it!

 

[Luke]

A quick wipe down, maybe a little bit of wax at the frontal areas...

any more than that... you're gay.

 

[RonBB]

Hoping for a car wash close to the motel to debug the bike as necessary.

 

[Cdogman]

I wash my bike all the time. I carry **dont yell at me** Rags and Honda Cleaner* in my bike all the time. I ride her hard and show her affection every chance I get. She takes care of me and loves me back by not bailing out on me in the leans. It is a love affair

Hey, whats the best wx for my feeejeeer?? I could use some advice here. thx

 

[NC_Yank]

I carry one of those microfiber clothes (their awesome) in my storage compartment.....so I pretty much clean it as I go.

NC

 

[Timbo2015]

I wash after a long trip. I don't see the point in washing before; one hour after you leave, the bike will be dirty again, so why bother?

During my July trip I stopped for the night at a motel in Ontario. When I returned to the motel after going out to eat, I saw a man and a woman in the motel parking lot washing their bikes (Harley types) after the day's ride. I thought that was so bizarre that I just kept staring at them and nearly ran into a parked car. They spent at least an hour that night, and I assume an hour every night, washing their bikes. I would not even consider spending an hour a day of vacation time cleaning my bike.

 

[red2kcbr]

I wash it, sometimes. Bike's a mess, though.

 

[JimLor]

I Plexis the windshield, headlights, Hellas and my faceshield before every ride. Wash the rest of the bike every once in a while.

 

[twowheelnut]

Being only three blocks from the Pacific Ocean, I have to wash the airborne sea salt spooge frequently or risk RNS (Rusty Nut Syndrome). I will also wash the bike prior to a trip and usually within a week following. Bugs can have a devastating effect on clear coats if left to bake in...