V-Strom Cleaning

[GB #121]

What tips for V-Strom cleaning? I'm using soft water spray then Turtlewash, a foaming spray for bugs (on Shoei as well), then dry and re-wax every couple of weeks. Some people swear by furniture polish and the wife's best dishtowels!

Currently using elbow grease to remove the gunge around the pegs and the swingarm and the wheel rims, but believe there must be a better way. Seems to work well around the engine area though. I rarely dismantle the bike, other than seat removal, but I could be pursuaded.

Without centre stand I haven't been cleaning/greasing my chain as I once did with my Bandit. Am I being remiss?! Anyone have any stock seat cleaning/preservation tips? Any restoration tips for the key switch area?

The bike continues to languish in the garage for another few days!

Cheers.

[replaced]

A BMW guy told me last week he uses Dawn diswhashing detergent mixed in a bucket of warm water to clean his RT, and it looks new (for an 85).

The conversation came up about bike cleaning when he asked me if I ever washed mine. I had to reply, "I washed it once since I have owned it". Yeah, it's filthy but that adds to the character!

Brendan

[cos]

I use Honda's Spray Polish & Cleaner if the bike isn't really dirty. It's an excellent cleaner/wax that I use on my bikes and it works amazingly well, hell it even smells nice. $6-7 for a big can at your local dealer. As for grime on the wheels, swing arm and chain I use Kerosene on a rag followed by a clean rag.

-cos

[Trooper246]

I have been using S100 with good results. I also use the Honda spray polish. I usually don't spend a lot of time cleaning.

[Viggen]

I use one of those cheap 'Orange action' household cleaners on the engine and metal parts, it's great for getting rid of chain lube overspay and road grime, I then use silicone spray on all the metal parts which makes it easier to get the grime off at the next wash (works very well on the rear wheel to stop the chain lube getting a hold on the rim)
.
I also use dishwashing detergent on the body work and then finish with Pledge or Mr. Sheen which works great as a polish without working too hard.

[cos]

Viggen,

I have one of those Orange citrus cleaners which works great around the house but it warns not to use on aluminum.

-cos

[Viggen]

oh, :? it works great for me...maybe I use a different brand that's not as strong as yours, not damage whatsoever to the bike it just makes it easier to clean

[Woofy]

I generally use:

- S100 on the engine, wheels and mechanicals (except the chain)
- Meguiar's Gold Class Car Shampoo (excellent product: it's what I use on my black Jeep Wrangler) for the bodywork and aluminum frame.
- Lexol shampoo followed by their conditioner for the custom leather saddle.
- Meguiar's plastic cleaner & plastic polish to remove most scratches from the windscreen and other shiny plastic pieces.
- A kerosene soaked rag to wipe gunk off the chain, when needed.
- Wenol metal polish occasionally to polish up any metal parts.
- Armor All non-shiny protectant on the Givi cases only.
- Everclear grain alcohol on the HotGrips (no way I'm gonna drink that stuff, but it's a fantastic cleaner!).

After routine washing, I dry it off with an Absorber followed with a big fat terry towel.

To give it almost a painfully high shine, I use:
- Meguiars' Gold Class Clear Coat Cleaner and Restorer, followed by...
- Meguiars' Professional Show Car Glaze, followed by...
- Meguairs' Gold Class Liquid Wax (six light, consecutive applications which lasts about a year).

My two, no, make that four cents...

[rodan]

I've recently discovered that K&N air filter cleaner does a good job on the greasy grunge that builds up around engine parts, footpegs, the frame/swingarm near the chain run, and that nasty brake dust that builds up on the rotor carriers and calipers.

It's relatively mild (designed for use on a fabric filter element), but really cuts the grunge, and comes in a convenient spray bottle...

[GT500]

I've cleaned my bikes with a combination of auto cleaning solution, regular car wax, elbow grease, mineral spirit-type stuff for the grease, and Autosol metal polish for the shiny bits.

Came across this site for info on cleaning and preparing the bike for winter storage, which is helpful where I live...

http://www.bmw.ca/motorcycles/riderinfo-fs.asp?page=rider_shows.asp

Select the "Maintenance" link in the "Rider information centre" section, then select the "Seasonal Storage" under the "Select a topic" drop-down. It would take me a month to do everything that BMW recommends, but most of BMW's suggestions sounds like just plain good maintenance to me!

[cos]

That BMW regimen is the way to go for winter storage but I don't know anyone who would bother with all of it nor do I think any dealership would go to that extent, regardless of how much you pay.

I'm glad it states to change brake fluid every year, most of my riding buds think that is excessive even though it takes only 20 mins to do.

-Bruce

[ybarsabal]

The conversation came up about bike cleaning when he asked me if I ever washed mine. I had to reply, "I washed it once since I have owned it". Yeah, it's filthy but that adds to the character!

Brendan

I have very little desire to clean my bike.

1. Do I have to?
2. If yes, which parts?

I don't care about cosmetic maintenance, I just want to maintain a good operating condition, e.g., no rust, proper lube, etc.

[Tollster]

If you don't wash it, good for you, I bet all your cars have character also, as does your home, and perhaps your toilet.
Therefore I would suggest keeping it lubed, oiling the little things that squeak, like the kickstand, pegs, levers, and any movable parts. It also may help to keep the road grime off the safety switches too.
Personally, I like working on clean bikes, its easy to have a rat bike, but harder to maintain it.

[Big B]

Holy old threads batman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tollster]

Someone actually used the search button, how bout that!

[ybarsabal]

If you don't wash it, good for you, I bet all your cars have character also, as does your home, and perhaps your toilet.

That comparison is quite a stretch...

Maybe I should clarify. I have very little desire to detail my bike. What would be a recommended level of clean?

I've been following the moveable parts guideline until now, but your bike washing thread made me feel ashamed. Then I got over being ashamed when I tried to follow your guide and got bored (not with your guide, just the task of cleaning so thoroughly). I have a lot of respect for you Quality-clean guys :)

[stromthurmond]

Seems pretty comprehensive...

http://www.stromtrooper.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26007

[Tollster]

Dude I was was just busting ya, I know not everyone cleans their machines, its ok with me. I just get a little PO when some one asks a question, then some one chimes in and makes it sound like they are foolish for asking, or their dick is bigger because they eat wheaties.
I think the topic is "Vstrom cleaning" so who give 2 shits if you don't wash? So I figured I would up the anty with the toilet issue.
Anyway, I had a shitty day, and didn't mean to bust ya. sorry dude and don't take it serious.
Oh and don't feel ashamed about the detailing, there was a reason I did not post a picture of my vee strom at the end of that thread. Its because I don't do all that on my wee. I do all that on my Harley and my show vehicles. I ride my wee everywhere and could not go through all that trouble just to get it trashed on the first ride. I know some here may clean ther bikes very throughly. But keep in mind you can do it on other vehicles my friend.
On the recommendations, just a wash or so every other week would be good, wax once a year at the minimum. Like I said keep things lubed and keep the chain clean. i use the teflon spray (for the chain) you find at lowes, lube it every 4-500 miles or after a good rain ride. do it when its hot after your ride so it can penetrate and set up before you go riding again.
TIP: Spray down your chain with the teflon when its hot, then wipe it down with a shop towel, nothing too fancy, just a wipe down of the side plates here, then spray it agian, and leave it. The teflon really helps get allot of the road dust off.
Also keep an eye on te greesy buildup on the rear rim, chainside. Thsi stuff can be a real bear to remove if you ignor it too long, this is one place the simple green really shines.
All this cleaning info is meant for the everyday rider, and the bike that is garaged at night. UV damage may require more oversite to keep the bike in pristene condition.
Here is a shot of all the detailing on the bike that got the full treatment.I also set the record straight in the finer points thread.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b42/jammerjay/Fatboy.jpg

Toll

[ybarsabal]

No worries :)

...and nice bike!