07-30-2015, 11:31 AM
(07-30-2015, 06:56 AM)holy666diver_imp Wrote: Why is everyone afraid to use water on their bike? I wash my bike every other month after it rains usually my bike is CAKED in dirt. I hose it off, use auto soap on the tank, wash the rims, take the seat off and my shield and any other leather. I quickly pat dry the bike then immediately take it for a ride to air dry the water in the hard to reach spots. I then Wax the tank using Ice from turtle wax. I always use new towels and micro fiber cloths never use a dirty cloth.
I mean these bikes are made to be ridden in all conditions why is everyone avoiding getting the bike wet. Every time I ride in the rain my bike is soaked front to back and I have about 2 inches of dirt on the underside.
I ride my bikes everyday, or nearly everyday all year round in Ohio. Not afraid of my bikes getting wet, or dirty. They get wet and dirty quite often. The next rain usually washes off the dirt from the last rain. We have had a record year for rain this year so my bikes have been wet and dirty.. a lot. I just give mine a semi thorough cleaning in the spring and the fall. In the spring to wash off the winter salt, and in the fall to get rid of 6 months of grunge. No sense washing them and making them all pretty today if they are only going to get dirty again tomorrow or the day after.
I am at 12,135 miles for the year so far. My bikes are not a garage queens.
(07-30-2015, 07:05 AM)furious_blue_imp Wrote: For the fanatical:
every time you wash and dry the bike by any kind of contact, you wear the finish. I've never been that fanatical, but I do make sure that if manually drying, I NEVER dry anything by using the common circular motion, this etches swirls onto the surface of everything paint, chrome etc.. Instead, I'll blot dry with no side to side motion on the surface.
I've heard that some super car owners even try to use soaps a little as possible when washing... but that's further than I'd go !
'over cleaning' is a word that I've heard said by the really fanatical about those who have damaged their vehicle finish by washing and waxing it 'too much'.
Yea, I will never be accused of that.
