Bike Cleaning Question(s)

I have a couple of questions about cleaning a bike that I know ya'll will have the answer(s). First , what do ya'll like to use to clean your bike, and second, what do you use to get into all those nooks, crannies, and hard to reach places. There are areas on the bike that I need to clean, but these hands are too big. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Frank

[Dave]

I take mine to one of those do it yourself type car washes. I just don't hold the high pressure wand too close to anything. While it's soaped down I use this to clean the tight areas.

http://www.gadgetjq.com/bikebrush.htm

After rinsing off the bike, I then just wipe it down with some towels.

I'm not that fanatical about detailing out my bike. I bought it to ride not to show.

[Cajunrider]

Frank, Go to your local HD dealer and pickup one of their nylon brushes. It is the same brush pictured in the gadjet link Dave provided above. Those brushes are great for the nooks and crannies.

[jd01]

I've used S100 for years. I do one side of the bike at a time. Just spray it on everywhere, let sit for several seconds and rinse off with water hose at about medium pressure, being careful not to drown out areas like ignition, an open air intake, etc. Then I usually blow dry with a leaf blower and finish off with a buffing rag. Been doing it this way since I bought bike new in 2001. The S100 seems to do well in those hard to reach places, at least for me.

[cajun2wheels]

Pledge and micro fiber towels work for me.Unless I have to ride a long way in the rain I never wash my bikes.I owned my Victory for 16 months and never washed it.I was lucky enough not to get caught in the rain other than a light shower once in awhile.After a ride I Pledged her down and it always looked show room fresh.When I wax my bike I like Meguires products.If you wash your bike never use dish washing soap as it will strip the wax off.Always use a good car wash soap.

[pastorgumby]

Pledge and micro fiber towels work for me.Unless I have to ride a long way in the rain I never wash my bikes.I owned my Victory for 16 months and never washed it.I was lucky enough not to get caught in the rain other than a light shower once in awhile.After a ride I Pledged her down and it always looked show room fresh.When I wax my bike I like Meguires products.If you wash your bike never use dish washing soap as it will strip the wax off.Always use a good car wash soap.

+1 for Lemon Pledge - spray & wipe ;)

Thanks, fellas. I really appreciate your responses. I have heard of S 100, but have never used it. I'm going to pick up a bottle, and one of those brushes Mitch and Dave spoke of. I have some areas that need to be cleaned since I have owned the bike, but I never could get to them. Any other suggestions would be welcomed.

[sonny]

Pledge for now on to 30yrs. Only use water if I get mud on it. once a year I strip it down and go to the car wash. If the bugs are real bad and I feel real last, I will use the soft brush at the car wash on the wind shield, lower, and crash bars.
Thanks for your time

[ringadingh]

I use car wash soap and one of those fuzzy wash mitts. Dry with a chamois, or leaf blower and wax every couple weeks or sooner.

[oldbikers]

You mean we are supposed to was these things ??? I thought they were for riding and if you are lucky you can ride in the rain to clean them http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif But if you must then get your self a spray bottle of bike brite and spray it all over the bike let it sit for a little bit but don't let it dry then wash it off with a hose use your leaf blower to dry it and then ride. Keep the spray bottle when it runs out as you can buy the bike brite cheaper by the gallon.

[jmax5105]

+1 for the Lemon Pledge and microfiber cloths. I used to use the Honda Polish that was $7-$8/can and the Lemon Pledge does every bit as good as that stuff and you can clean the whole bike with it, chrome, windshield, etc.

[sly]

pressure wash for the bugs and hard to reach, car wash soap and mitt, chammy and compressor for those !@#$%?& nooks and tight spots, works great for me, but will try some of these suggestions.

[macmac]

Clean? You mean you guys clean yer bikes? I ride so fast no dirt can stick! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[usranger74]

I just got back from a 1200 mile trip into the NE Sandhills. Ran into a hoard of grass hoppers on the way back. Must be 10 lbs of hopper guts on the lower parts of my bike!!!

Used a garden hose with a high pressure nozzle, lots of soap and a "bug" rag. For smaller nooks I used a small thing brush I picked up at the Wally world. Bug guts gone - bike ready to wax

[mrfuni]

+++ Lemon Pledge http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[cajun2wheels]

You folks up north may not have had the pleasure of running into what we call"love bugs".About twice a year we get these little darlings and I can't think of a harder bug to wash off a bike or any other vehicle for that matter.If you don't remove them in a short time they will eat through your paint.They get all over your windshield and my trick is to get a towel soaked in hot water and lay over the windshield for about 30 minutes.They wipe off very easy after soaking for awhile.

[moloprintz]

How do you get at the right engine cover behind the brake?

[macmac]

How do you get at the right engine cover behind the brake?

Soft rag over a fox tail brush. These would be mag wheel brushes found in VIP, Autozone, and the like.

With out the rag it sweeps the swing arm pretty well too, not that doing it does me any good with a 1/2 mile dirt driveway.

[ldhthept]

i have recently found the meguires spray mist stuff for motorcycles. just spray on and wipe off, does a decent job if the bike is not too dirty. for getting the bugs off, especially the love bugs, just spray some hydrogen peroxide on the front of the bike and watch the little suckers disolve, no scrubbing. may have to sray more than once or let set for a few minutes but does a great job. i've been using it for years. you may all use it, just think of me when you see how good it works.