Cleaning your bike

Mequires Quick Detailer is the ****! it's what I use all the time!

I've washed my bike four times... when i first got it, jut before it went into storage for my deployment, when it came out... and when it went back in for the winter. each time I used a bucket of hot water... I say hot because the weather was cold each time and I didn't have a hose... so I figured I'd go with hot and not suffer as much... I'd wash with terry cloths like DLit said... then dry it off... then I used Meguires Tech Wax... that stuff ROCKS... i use it on my truck all the time and make it shine like crazy... does the same on my bike...

other than those four times... I just use the quick detailer before or after each ride... I try to do it before because it reminds me to do all my checks, (tires, chain, lights, oil, ect...) and it's easy cause I'm already right there!:2cents:

L48Shark said:

Not if you want to get technical, no. Waxes protect painted surfaces, and (as you already pointed out) Buell plastics are not painted. So you want a polish to create a high gloss, and Honda polish does a great job at that. It also works really well on helmets and face shields.

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This sounds great, where can I get it? Cause, I used to work at autozone and I can tell you that they don't have it.

L48Shark said:

You definitely want to be careful where you use Armor All or similar protectants on a bike.

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:iagree: The yellow armor all is not really good for surfaces (prolonged use can cause damage to the plastic, ie cracks). That is the protectant one. My dad uses that on his Harley for the leather seat and saddlebags, it works great for that and makes them very shiney but I wouldn't reccomend it on plastic. If you want to clean the plastics easily there is a cleaning armor all whipe thing that I use on the interior of my car, it works awesome and makes cleaning up quicker.

I waxed mine with the Tech Wax too. About every 3-4 months. And I'd go over the wax with Plexus after. That bitch is gleamin' after that!

And fu*k using armor all. It makes it easier for dust to stick to the parts with it on it. Just use a quick detailer, or Honda Wax instead. It won't have the shine armor all puts on, but it does make it look fresh from the factory.

brie said:

This sounds great, where can I get it?

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Go to any Honda (motorcycle) shop and you should find it in a black spray can. If not, ask for it because I remember reading that they can't sell it in some states that have strict emissions policies due to one of the ingredients. :idk:

L48Shark said:

Go to any Honda (motorcycle) shop and you should find it in a black spray can. If not, ask for it because I remember reading that they can't sell it in some states that have strict emissions policies due to one of the ingredients. :idk:

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Cool, I'll have to do that sometime. Thanks :cheers:

pro honda polish is w/o question the best thing on the market. better stock up on it though. my local dealer told me this past week that they are no longer able to get more of the spray polish due to honda having another company develop a more "environmentally-friendly" formula. don't know how good the new stuff will be so i bought a case of it just to have enough for a looong time.

marko138 said:

These guys have summed it up pretty well. I use a bucket and car wash soap. Clean that sucker up and dry it. Then I use MOTHER BILLET polish on the frame. It's very pricey....$15 for a tiny can of it. But it is absolutely the BEST polish ever...ask Gas Man. Then I wax it with some sort of Meguire's Paste Wax...I dont remember the specific kind.

Turns out nice.


And like these guys said....I cannot stress enough...DO NOT PUT ARMOUR ALL ON YOUR TIRES!!!! I can promise you that you will CRASH!

I've seen it done...twice...by the same person. :bash:

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:baha: :slol: I cant believe someone would actually do that on their bike.

Mequires Quick Detailer as well. Great stuff and can be bought about anywhere that sells car soap.

My chop is like many dogs and it don't like water. So I strictly use the detailer and LOTS of metal polish.

But seriously... there is no substitue on a sportbike for some good car wash soap and a nice clean rag or mit. Take your time and do it well.

If you really want to get into it... pull the fairings!

I wash mine with car wash and a soft brush (which is only used on painted surfaces)- then I dry it with a leaf blower- works great for all them hard to reach areas.

DLIT said:

Fupid stuck.

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ne1469 said:

:baha: :slol: I cant believe someone would actually do that on their bike.

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Yeah you'd think maybe you'd learn after the first low side. Apparently not.

I use the Honda polish after every ride.

ne1469 said:

:baha: :slol: I cant believe someone would actually do that on their bike.













https://www.sharpdetail.com/

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Been a monthly member since they opened. Love the ICE scented smell-goods & they always give me a few at a time (Booyah!). I totaled my car last year & was driving a rental for a month; sharp detail was so kind to give me the next month free of charge to make up for the one I was out a vehicle.