This is my first bike and I was wondering how to wash it. I have been wiping it down after every ride, but haven't used a bucket and sponge yet. Is it okay to wash it like a car? Just spray the hell out of it with a hose and use a bucket of soapy water and then rinse? Or do I have to be careful with the water?
Washing your bike
- Thread starter MNDZA
- Start date
C
crazy dave
if I knew I would tell you...most people are probably not answering though because they want you to use the search tool. I havent been on this forum long and ive seen many threads about washing bikes. im going to search it right now also so if I find a thread ill let you know
D
Dunny
G, day,
Yeah I'm pretty anal when it comes to washing my bike, I use truck wash on the lower half engine, radiator wheels and swingarm, I then use a bucket and sponge with cold soapy water. (warm soapy water can lift of the polish)
The only place I go carefully is around the gauges and switches on the handle bar not to much water. Water tends sit sit hear so dab it with the chamois to soak it up.
I rinse of using a spray of water not jet.
I then dry of using air but again not around the gauges or switches this will push moisture in. I then chamois the whole thing. Any bits of tar or road grime I use kerosene on a rag.
Then start it up spin the back wheel on the centre stand the give the chain some chain wax.
Jobs done
Hope this helps
Yeah I'm pretty anal when it comes to washing my bike, I use truck wash on the lower half engine, radiator wheels and swingarm, I then use a bucket and sponge with cold soapy water. (warm soapy water can lift of the polish)
The only place I go carefully is around the gauges and switches on the handle bar not to much water. Water tends sit sit hear so dab it with the chamois to soak it up.
I rinse of using a spray of water not jet.
I then dry of using air but again not around the gauges or switches this will push moisture in. I then chamois the whole thing. Any bits of tar or road grime I use kerosene on a rag.
Then start it up spin the back wheel on the centre stand the give the chain some chain wax.
Jobs done
Hope this helps
D
dantow
I wash mine same as a car, with sponge ,soap and water after drying it with chamois and microfibe cloth I take it for a quick blast to make sure all water is flicked out the chain, before re lubricating it. once a month( or once a week if its been raining heaps) I get all the crap off the chain and sprocket with a paintbrush and kerosene before the wash.
Hope it helps.
Hope it helps.
fz6r rider
New Member
i use a chammy and a bottle of plastix its made for washing and shining your fairings.
M
mellofelow
I don't hose water at the bike at all. Just a bucket of water with car wash soap and wipe down with soft detailing towels. Go from top to bottom and the bike should be clean as new.
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Scott S.
I wash my FZ6 with some commercial car wash stuff to preserve the luster of the paint. I use a bucket and sponge, slosh the soapy water on all the surfaces, (having removed the seat first), and then I rinse with the garden hose set to a moderate spray. I figure this is no worse than getting caught out in the rain and the bike should be able to take it. I don't direct a hard stream of water at the engine or the electrical components but I also don't worry about getting them wet. Then I wipe the whole bike down with a chamois. When I'm feeling really industrious, I buff all the shiny red parts with a soft detailing cloth. Haven't had any problems at all with this method and I fall in love with the bike all over again every time I stand back and look at it all shiny and clean.
Scott S.
Scott S.
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tuul01
I use a bucket and small sponge. Take care around the electrical stuff and make sure you DON'T use a pressure washer.... forces the water into places that using a bucket of water wouldn't. Also make sure you use cold water.. I made the mistake of warm water and found the paint on the engine started to flake.... problem sorted though with a quick re-spray. Otherwise the only other thing i would suggest is a specialised motorcycle cleaning spray.... spray on,\ leave for 2 minutes and then wash off. Any stubborn stains just agitate with the sponge!! EASY! :thumbup:
I've hardly ever used water on a bike (gets enough rain on it). I've always used Honda spray polish/cleaner though it goes by another name now. Use it on everything from plastic to metal to seats, then plexus on shield. My last bike had 4 years and never saw bucket and sponge, just the above and wxed twice a year and looked like new when I sold it, and I didn't have a garage or shed just a cover.
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FizzySix
Chain: kerosene and plastic-bristle brush (former kitchen brush for scrubbing veggies)
Body: rinse with hose, bucket and sponge with soapy water, rinse with hose. For soap, Armor All makes a product that is wash and wax in one, which I like. It's not a substitute for an occasional hand wax/buff but it does keep the water beading up consistently in between, and gets places your fingers can't reach.
I just got a power washer, but I'm still on the fence as to whether or not to use it (gently of course) on the bike, so I can wash the bike, truck, and minivan all at once.
Dry: electric leaf blower. No kidding - it quickly drives the water right off for a spot-free shine.
Body: rinse with hose, bucket and sponge with soapy water, rinse with hose. For soap, Armor All makes a product that is wash and wax in one, which I like. It's not a substitute for an occasional hand wax/buff but it does keep the water beading up consistently in between, and gets places your fingers can't reach.
I just got a power washer, but I'm still on the fence as to whether or not to use it (gently of course) on the bike, so I can wash the bike, truck, and minivan all at once.
Dry: electric leaf blower. No kidding - it quickly drives the water right off for a spot-free shine.
S
skyjake
I have only washed my Fazer once since I have owned it, not too long. I used a light detergent, dried it, and chased it with some spray on Turtle Wax. Afterwards, I cleaned and lubed my chain.
During the washing phase, I used a light spray with my house. Later that day when I filled up with gas, I noticed water got passed the gasket and probably got some water in my gas tank judging on the amount of water around the neck of the filler port. I need to probably look at getting another gasket. Just something to think about. Not sure if anyone else has experienced this problem and I don't remember posting this information.
During the washing phase, I used a light spray with my house. Later that day when I filled up with gas, I noticed water got passed the gasket and probably got some water in my gas tank judging on the amount of water around the neck of the filler port. I need to probably look at getting another gasket. Just something to think about. Not sure if anyone else has experienced this problem and I don't remember posting this information.
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huckleberry1
Just got some Suzuki Motorcycle wash...spray on...rinse off...takes off all the dirt, if you've got something really stubborn just repeat. Using Turtle Wax Ice Shine as a finisher. Not sure what to use for the headers yet, I've heard Honda makes a good paste.
xplodnstar
New Member
Careful!!! You could loose horsepower putting all those other manf. products on your bike.
6
616ah
For some great into, ck out Motorcycle Consumer News - MCNews.com - The most complete, most detailed and most accurate information about every aspect of motorcycling.
The 5 page PDF article titled: "The Devil Is In The Details, tips and tricks for cleaning your bike the right way". (and great articles too) :thumbup:
The 5 page PDF article titled: "The Devil Is In The Details, tips and tricks for cleaning your bike the right way". (and great articles too) :thumbup:
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ms mrdr
i wash mine twice a year maybe. it just happened yesterday. I use a low power electric powerwasher to get the baked on stuff off..then use spray polish and good to go..
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DaveOTZ
This asked today after I removed my entire exhaust system and polished with NOXON...
my arms are sore as hell but she looks amazing... Too bad it had to go and rain...
my arms are sore as hell but she looks amazing... Too bad it had to go and rain...
Washing/cleaning the FZ6R
Next month will mark my first year of having the 6R. I have about 5,500 miles and it's been a great first bike for me. Since getting the bike I haven't done a good cleaning of the bike. I plan on washing the bike for the first time very soon.
My question is: do I need to cover anything on the bike before I hose her down? I've never washed a bike before so I want to make sure I don't screw anything up in the process.
Any advice or opinions you have are greatly appreciated.
-Jeff
Next month will mark my first year of having the 6R. I have about 5,500 miles and it's been a great first bike for me. Since getting the bike I haven't done a good cleaning of the bike. I plan on washing the bike for the first time very soon.
My question is: do I need to cover anything on the bike before I hose her down? I've never washed a bike before so I want to make sure I don't screw anything up in the process.
Any advice or opinions you have are greatly appreciated.
-Jeff
RooKie
New Member
Giving washing the 6R is very much like washing a car.
1 - Water your bike down with a water hose (do not use high pressure hose).
2 - Soap using microfiber for any high gloss areas (plastics and tank) and any old rag for the rims, swing arm, and other rough areas.
3 - Rinse with water hose.
4 - Dry up with microfiber cloth
At this point I usually take a slow rider around the block to get air to dry any water left in the hard to reach areas and warm up the chain a bit for the next step.
5 - Clean and lube the chain
6 - You're Done!
You don't have to worry about covering anything on the bike. This machine is expected to ride through rain, so a bit of water wont hurt it.
1 - Water your bike down with a water hose (do not use high pressure hose).
2 - Soap using microfiber for any high gloss areas (plastics and tank) and any old rag for the rims, swing arm, and other rough areas.
3 - Rinse with water hose.
4 - Dry up with microfiber cloth
At this point I usually take a slow rider around the block to get air to dry any water left in the hard to reach areas and warm up the chain a bit for the next step.
5 - Clean and lube the chain
6 - You're Done!
You don't have to worry about covering anything on the bike. This machine is expected to ride through rain, so a bit of water wont hurt it.