December 30th, 2008, 04:38 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Dug
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 81
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Never washed a motorcycle before. Any tips?
Is there anything I would need to know before, during and after I wash my motorcycle tomorrow? Would I need to reapply lubrication on the chain after washing it? What about the other parts of the motorcycle which are grease/oiled up for mechanical reasons. Should In be concern with these parts as well? Should I use warm or cold water? Any tips would be helpful.
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December 30th, 2008, 04:47 PM | #2 |
Track Junkie
Name: Jon
Location: Dallas
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r Track Bike, DR350 commuter, KDX220 woods bike Posts: 602
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you should be concerned with hiting any moving or mechanical parts with a pressure washer (ie: anything with lubrication or electronics). don't put anything slick like armerall on stuff you don't want slick (ie: tires).
thats about it really. click here
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December 30th, 2008, 06:24 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Ronin
Location: East Tennessee
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Chrome Yellow Ninja 250 Posts: 50
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Don't Armor all your seat! And a skinny tire brush works wonders...
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December 30th, 2008, 06:48 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Ryan
Location: San Francisco
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '11 Street Triple R Posts: 337
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Do not shine your tires.
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December 30th, 2008, 06:51 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org dude
Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much.
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I've got one of those Mr. Clean auto washers that does a pretty good job. If my bikes are really dirty, I'll start with that. It's just an attachment on the end of a hose that has settings for wash, soap, and ionized/filtered water to dry. It's not nearly strong enough coming out of the hose to get past seals, but it's enough water to help make washing the bike pretty darned quick and easy.
After it dries, I do use plexus on just about all the painted or shiny surfaces; adds a bit of protection and gives it that "shiny/wet" look. If I did use any water, I do make sure to clean/lube the chain afterwards. If the bike isn't too dirty, I'll just use the plexus and go from there.
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December 30th, 2008, 06:53 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Dug
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 81
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Okay I get the not shinning the tires part. I don't want to endanger my only two means of traction. Would using an old tooth brush and for the hard to reach areas be okay? Would I have to re-grease or lube anything after I am done?
NVM: Alex you hit most of my questions. |
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December 30th, 2008, 07:06 PM | #7 |
Some weird Canuck!
Name: Greg
Location: Ontario - Canada
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '92 CBR250RR "Babyblade", 2008 Ninja 250R, 2001 CBR600F4i Posts: 209
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I don't wash the bike TOO too much. I give it one or two complete clean and waxings during the summer and the rest of the time just dust it off with microfibre clothes and use car detailer. Brake parts cleaner on a rag to clean chain before re-lubing (do not spray it on directly... or drench the rag, it will KILL your o-rings).
It may sound pretty cheap, but one thing that I found that seemed to clean the bike really good, and all of the bug splatters: plastic & vinyl house siding cleaner. It comes in a bottle that you screw right on the end of a garden hose. It premixes soap and water and works really well. Just stand back about 10 feet from the bike. You can see the bottle of cleaner attached to the hose in this pic. Make sure to dry the bike off with some really nice absorbent shammies after washing. Water marks suck. In terms of greasing & re-lubing? I lube all the pivots for shifters and levers, as well as the axles once every year. Right before I take the bike out for spring. The chain should be cleaned and re-lubed every 1000km or so. (I've let it go longer but you shouldn't.) Last futzed with by Syphen; December 30th, 2008 at 07:07 PM. Reason: I cannot spell, nor write a good sentence. I went to school for electrical engineering...... not english. |
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December 30th, 2008, 07:14 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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This is for basic washing of the bike-
Wash the bike like you wash your car. No high pressure. I use a garden sprayer attachment on a hose, bucket of soapy water, a wash mitt for the plastics, a 4" painters brush to get in the hard to reach areas. I stay away from the really greasy areas like the drive chain. After you're done washing and drying the bike, start it up and let the the engine warm up to dry out any parts that may be sensitive to water. If you have the time, take it for a quick spin to blow out any water left in the crevices and come back and lube the chain. Every 6 months or so (or when I ride in the rain ), I remove the front fairings, front fender, seat and rear plastics and wash the plastics (inside and out), engine and frame thoroughly. This is where the painting brush comes in very handy. |
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December 31st, 2008, 11:27 AM | #9 |
So slow I'm first!
Name: Sunny
Location: San Jose, CA
Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 06 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 10
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Get a Sud Buddy to clean it?
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Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself. Save yourself the trouble and Learn. |
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December 31st, 2008, 11:43 AM | #10 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kim
Location: mundo de ensueño
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.
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^ and be sure to take pics for us
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December 31st, 2008, 12:09 PM | #11 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Alex
Location: Belfast, ME
Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Very good advice. One thing no one mentioned was the exhaust. When I wash the bike, I usually put a cork in the exhaust.
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December 31st, 2008, 01:53 PM | #12 |
============
Name: Nick
Location: Occoquan, VA
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 518
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January 1st, 2009, 01:35 PM | #13 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Dug
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 81
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Thanks for all the advice folks. Keep it coming if it has not been mentioned already.
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January 1st, 2009, 01:38 PM | #14 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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lol... you mean you still haven't washed the bike??? what are you waiting for???
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January 1st, 2009, 04:35 PM | #15 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sam
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 and ZX-12R 2000 Posts: A lot.
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January 1st, 2009, 06:11 PM | #16 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Dug
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 81
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Quote:
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January 2nd, 2009, 07:38 AM | #17 |
Dead-thread Necromancer!
Name: Levon
Location: Central Texas
Join Date: Sep 2008 Motorcycle(s): K5 V-Strom Posts: 144
Blog Entries: 3
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I found out the hard way on my first motorbike in high school...
In 21k miles, I think I've already washed my bike at least four times.
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Dead-thread Necromancer! 2007 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 ZG250 Quarter-Concours commuter Gone 2005 Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 Big Black Vee future hack? |
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January 2nd, 2009, 07:45 PM | #18 | |
So slow I'm first!
Name: Sunny
Location: San Jose, CA
Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 06 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 10
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Quote:
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Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself. Save yourself the trouble and Learn. |
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January 2nd, 2009, 09:00 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sam
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 and ZX-12R 2000 Posts: A lot.
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BlueTyke... I was telling him to take it to my dealer for a wash. Didn't mean to get you and noche_caliente's hopes up!
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January 3rd, 2009, 12:26 AM | #20 |
lolwut
Name: Alex
Location: socal
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 196
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I just use a hose and the regular automotive detailing products i use on my own car. I usually just use a light auto shampoo and pat dry with a waffle weave microfiber towel. I only use the hose on areas like the seat, plastics, wheels, etc, and use a wet towel on the controls/gauges/sensitive areas. I plan to wax it every month or so depending on how much I ride
For "in between" cleanings I use a quick detailer spray on the paint. Detailing is a little hobby of mine. The results always make it well worth the time spent! Here's a pic i took after a fresh detail:
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January 3rd, 2009, 03:24 PM | #21 |
So slow I'm first!
Name: Sunny
Location: San Jose, CA
Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 06 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 10
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I was taking no form of offence what-so-ever. I am not sure where Walnut is though... Is that in Virginias?
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Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself. Save yourself the trouble and Learn. |
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January 3rd, 2009, 04:27 PM | #22 |
IC2(SW)
Name: Kerry
Location: Pensacola
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.
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Note to self ....... "Bikes need a washing"
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October 22nd, 2009, 05:13 AM | #23 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sam
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 and ZX-12R 2000 Posts: A lot.
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October 22nd, 2009, 05:50 AM | #24 |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
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My bike is so dirty, I don't want to put the cover on it for fear that the dust will scratch.
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October 22nd, 2009, 06:44 PM | #25 |
Dead-thread Necromancer!
Name: Levon
Location: Central Texas
Join Date: Sep 2008 Motorcycle(s): K5 V-Strom Posts: 144
Blog Entries: 3
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At over 27k miles so far, I think I recently washed the bike maybe five times. I also spend more time riding than trying to be the top poster on the forums
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Dead-thread Necromancer! 2007 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 ZG250 Quarter-Concours commuter Gone 2005 Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 Big Black Vee future hack? |
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October 22nd, 2009, 07:29 PM | #26 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Rick
Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much.
MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14
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October 22nd, 2009, 09:17 PM | #27 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Andrew
Location: LA
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 07 GSXR600 (N250 sold :( ) Posts: 415
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I dont bother washing much because i dont have a garage and its black. I just go to the car wash places, spray with water on low pressure put some suds on and wash it off, dry.
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October 22nd, 2009, 11:13 PM | #28 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Crissy
Location: Indio, CA
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): . . . . . . . 2000 Suzuki Intruder VS800 "Suzi", 2008 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 "Yoshi" Posts: 507
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I washed my bike today!! It has been awhile .
But I do love a clean bike.
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October 22nd, 2009, 11:50 PM | #29 |
ninjette.org member
Name: sho
Location: SoCal
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): CBR600RR Ninja 250R(sold) Posts: 144
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I wash my bike mainly with ONR(Optimum No Rise)
http://www.optimumcarcare.com/onrwns.htm This is a very good product especially if you don't have access to a water hose such as in apartment complex. You just need a bucket and couple microfiber towels. Very quick and easy I also use this on my car regulary for in between washes or when I don't have time to do a full wash. You can also use this as quick detailer or clay bar lube depending on the amount you mix with water. Their spray wax is very good too. ...wow, I should get paid by them |
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October 23rd, 2009, 12:21 AM | #30 |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
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The problem is that I commute with it daily and so it has to remain uncovered during my graveyard shift. Every morning, I come out of the office to go home and it is soaking wet with dew. That dew traps dust which builds up daily and stays behind when it dries. I'd have to wash every other day to stop it.
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October 23rd, 2009, 01:34 AM | #31 |
FORMER MOTORCYCLE RIDER
Name: Steve
Location: On a Trek SU200 or in my CRX
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): Rode an 08 250r then rode an 08 ZX-6R until i totaled it on 7/10/10 Posts: 758
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I have to wash mine after every ride (Bug Guts) then it gets a cover till the next ride.
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January 15th, 2010, 01:21 AM | #32 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Dude!!
Location: Southern California
Join Date: Dec 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250r Posts: 443
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Washing the bike
Any tips on washing the bike? I'm thinking of just taking a bucket, soap+water, and washing it that way. Then wax after. Are there any areas I should avoid getting wet? Thanks!
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January 15th, 2010, 01:51 AM | #33 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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January 15th, 2010, 02:27 AM | #34 |
old git
Name: Steve
Location: Geneve Switzerland
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): BMW K1300S Posts: 479
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I have a brush on the end of a hose and use a small water flow; this brings off all the dirt without the risk of drowning the electrics or damaging seals. If you have tar stuck on the bike a soft cloth with some gas on it will bring it off. Then polish it as much as you like.
Steve
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January 15th, 2010, 07:30 AM | #35 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Rick
Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much.
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Avoid using harsh chemicals, especialy gasoline. If you have road tar you can buy a can of "bug and tar remover" at an auto parts store. Also do not use detergents, use car wash soap.
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January 15th, 2010, 08:43 AM | #36 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.
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don't blast the bike with high pressure. especially radiator fins, swingarm pivots, linkage, etc.
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January 15th, 2010, 08:43 AM | #37 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.
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especially avoid drive thru car washes, you'll be soaked all the way home.
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January 15th, 2010, 09:23 AM | #38 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Travis
Location: Warwick, RI
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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That's how I always do it. That way my gear is sqeaky clean too.
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Addicted to anything that has an engine and rolls. |
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January 15th, 2010, 09:28 AM | #39 |
Pedal Power
Name: Rob
Location: Winterpeg (Winnipeg)
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja EX250R Posts: 401
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I'm giving the IT guy your email address....you can explain all the water that is dripping off my monitor. Had a mouth full while I was reading that
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Using Pedal Power |
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January 15th, 2010, 09:36 AM | #40 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.
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Haha, I actually had an experience in a car one time at the car wash. I somehow missed the little roller that pulls the car, so I tried to drive the right speed through the carwash. It was tricky, the second I got out of that thing I sped off towards the highway.
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