how often and how do you wash/clean your pride and joy?

[arva_imp]

hi all, i am a new owner of a 2014 std cb1100 and have done about 250 miles and never washed/cleaned my bike yet... 2 questions for the experts:
1. how often do you clean your ride?
2. how do you clean it?

is there a brain dead easy way of keeping the chrome shining etc?

i am pretty negligent with my cars so please the easiest methods only

thanks
arva

[the Ferret]

About twice a year..spring and fall

Bikebrite or S-100 sprayed on cold bike not in direct sunlight and a water hose to rinse it off...soft towels to dry then about a 40 mile ride to make sure its dry.

Spray chain lube on chain after returning from ride

I may use Honda Honda Pro polish on the tank and side covers, and mothers chrome polish if I'm feeling guilty.

.

[ClassicVW_imp]

^^^^^ The ferret said it all. Follow that routine and you're better than good to go! ^^^^^

But I may wash it 3 or 4 times a season.

[veech_imp]

I use S-100 or Bikebrite as well for the main washings, but usually only when needed (like after riding in the rain or some other event that durties things up.) In between, I will use Mequire's quick detailer (or something similar) to touch things up either right before or after going for a ride to keep it looking sharp. I usually only have to do a main wash maybe 3-4 times a season with this approach.

[kmoney_imp]

Never. Not with water anyway. I usually just wipe it down with Mother's show-n-shine detailer and a microfiber cloth after every ride. It never gets enough of a buildup of dirt to need a very thorough cleaning.

[redbirds_imp]

Two to three times a year I'll give the bike a wash down using the S-100 or the similar Honda product. I rinse with a gentle spray comparable to a soft rain. Dry with soft cotton towel and take a ride to finish the drying process. Give all the metalwork a shine with the Honda Brite and lube the chain. Much the same as Ferret and others here. In between a quick rubdown with the Honda Brite keeps everything clean enough.

[DocRid_imp]

Never. Not with water anyway. I usually just wipe it down with Mother's show-n-shine detailer and a microfiber cloth after every ride. It never gets enough of a buildup of dirt to need a very thorough cleaning.

Pretty much what I do. I never wash down my bikes, I just use quick wax and waterless cleaning products as needed.

[DAC]

I use S100 on the engine and similar parts only - not painted parts. Brush the grime off and then rinse it right away. Then I use a mild dish soap like palmolive to wash it down with. Then dry it off and wipe it down with Original Bike Spirits. The OBS leaves a little silicone polish that makes the bugs and stuff come off easier next time.

[ClassicVW_imp]

Does anyone else have the sneaky suspicion this can wind up being like an oil thread?

[JustJohn_imp]

never mind