Motorcycle wash

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drdetail

New member
So I'm in the middle of no where with not many products available. Whats the best way to keep a motorcycle looking clean. I don't have proper washing mitts etc..just basic sponge, water bucket, dish washing soap. I could buy car wash soap but I think it would be too expensive where I'm at and plus I'd never finish it. Also, is there anything I have to be careful about when washing it so it doesn't get ruined/damaged?

Thanks in advance. I know there is a motorcycle subforum but no one seems to post there LOL
 
Dish soap removes wax so unless that's your goal, I don't suggest it. You can buy a gallon of Blue Corral or Zip Wax for $5 and have enough soap to wash 100 bikes. Get a good mitt (I prefer the microfibers that resemble dreadlocks) and some microfiber towels too. If you wanna go an easier route, get some Poorboy Spray and Wipe. What kind of bike do you have?
 
Even in the middle of BFE there's got to be somewhere that carries some sort of car wash in small sizes. If you're on the road you do the best you can with whatever you've got. When traveling I frequently hit the you-do-it-yourself wand car washes.

Don't blast wheel bearings or electricals with water, the rest is pretty much the same as washing a car.

TL
 
Geez, I thought W@lm@rts and T@rgets (and etc.) were everywhere. As noted above there should be a source for Zip Wash, Blue Coral, even Meg's Gold Class just about everywhere and available for less than 10 bucks. These would be far better options than your dish soap option. Also consider adding an additional bucket to your aresenal, one for wash soap and one for rinse.
 
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09 Yamaha Ybr 125

I'm on an Island. The car wash supplies are usually in big containers and like $20-30 US for something that would cost me $10 back in the states. Maybe I should just get a local to wash it but I miss washing/detailing the way I know best DIY :):rockon

I'll probably buy some car soap and wax. There isn't much of a body. I have to get microfiber and wax. gotta keep it looking clean so much dirt on the roads that gets stuck on. There is no two bucket method or gritt guard here LOL..
 
Thats a cool little bike, and looks pretty clean to me :) Check into some products like Spray and Wipe, Optimum No Rinse, something like that. I use both of them on my bike, depending on how dirty it is. I think Spray and Wipe would be a better choice for yours rather than ONR. Everything looks to be in very good shape, so it shouldnt be that hard to keep it maintained and protected.
 
thanks. I'll look for a spray and wipe. I don't really have access to a water hose so it'll just be me and my bootleg bucket I made from a 2 Liter water gallon LOL. Will buy a mitt, microfiber and spray and wipe. Does the spray and wipe have a waxy coat built in or is it just for cleaning? Thanks in advance. btw the pic was taken when I bought the bike 1.5 months ago. The guy who sold it to me cleaned it nice. I'm going in for new tires so maybe I'll ask him how much he wants to wash it again LOL.
 
mrclean81 said:
Here ya go..granted mail comes to your island :) I thought I lived in the middle of nowhere..you've got me beat by a long shot haha.
Poorboy’s World Spray & Wipe Waterless Wash
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Yeah shipping would be too much. I'll probably bring it with me when I come back to the states or just buy some Megs they sell locally. I was just being cheap bc I feel like the prices here are so inflated. Milk is $7 for a gallon, Subway is $10 for a footlong lol. Chips Ahoy cookies $6 Cereal $6

I'll just sucker up and pay it lol

Is bloomington southern IL? I visited once lol
 
polisher said:
oo wait for real? how come..i didnt know that ( well i havent owned a bike)
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Because when your leaning into corners, your riding on the side wall of the tire. If its greased up with dressing, your going to see a low-side crash (where the bike slides out from under you). Low sides are better than high sides, but both suck. If it was a clients bike and they crashed because of tire dressing, your looking at a law suit. Its just not a good idea.
 
mrclean81 said:
Because when your leaning into corners, your riding on the side wall of the tire. If its greased up with dressing, your going to see a low-side crash (where the bike slides out from under you). Low sides are better than high sides, but both suck. If it was a clients bike and they crashed because of tire dressing, your looking at a law suit. Its just not a good idea.
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X2 I've seen this on an entrance ramp. The guy recovered but only to start "tank slapping" and get ejected. Was not good.
I've seen people at shows even dress the tread of their vehicle tires. Wouldn't want to ride with them.
 
Concours.John said:
X2 I've seen this on an entrance ramp. The guy recovered but only to start "tank slapping" and get ejected. Was not good.
I've seen people at shows even dress the tread of their vehicle tires. Wouldn't want to ride with them.
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Tank slappers are probably the scariest thing that can happen on a bike other than hitting something big. Happened to me a couple weeks ago and I almost had to change pants. Came out of a hard curve and hit a bump while still leaning. If it hadn't been for the steering dampers Im afraid it would have gotten ugly.
 
I have been riding since 1967 and layed the bike down once on a 1983 Harley taking a right hand turn on an oil slicked intersection. Road rash and a scraped up bike, lucky no one
else in the intersection. Most dangerous is a light rain, brings the oil out of the asphalt and
its like ice. Hence, DO NOT DETAIL TIRES.
 
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