Hi everyone,

So i've just bought my first bike, can i have some tips for cleaning it please. I take it i can't just wash it like a car, am i best off just using a shammy leather and wiping it down?

Thanks

Train the wife to do it

jet wash is good

Good but keep jet away from bearings if you do

One of the guys in the office here is about to launch "Supagleem+" its a top of the range commercial "not allowed to mention name" re-pakaged paint shield product. it says:

Providing a durable, high gloss, transparent protective shield on you paintwork.
Provides paintwork with a barrier against harmful ultra-violet solar rays - and loads more stuff
also says waxing and polishing no longer requiered - high gloss sheen remains constant wash after wash.

There are a few sample packs knocking around the office waiting to be photographed, I don't know what they will be selling for but I bet I could scrounge one off him if your interested. Its that paint protection pack stuff garages applly and sell you for a few hundred quid.

As for general cleaning I use the Moto X treem we sell in the shop. it got a ride recommended and is great, or I used to use Muck off - just as good - just the same - you can pick Muck Off up in Halfords (wet the bike spray some XTreem or muck off on adgitate it a little with sponge leave a while and wash/hose down and the dirt just falls off.

I'll have a trip up Halfords then at the weekend and pick up some muck off.

Well if theres some going at the end i wouldn't say no. Let me know at the end and i'll send you my address

Thanks

I think he could spare some now - Carl's out the office until Thursday, I'll ask him then.

and radiators, few cases of deformed fins due to presure washers.

and switchgear

For polishing use furniture polish.But make sure its made with(beeswax) its great stuff dont leave any white powder marks in the groves of your bike.........Oh yeah some of the moto gp riders use it to. Well the joes that clean there bikes

and fork seals!!

For those not so shiny metal Alu bits, I use autosol, can't beat (I havn't found a product yet anyway )

you should only use autosol on chrome
any alloy bits will (should?) be laquered and autosol will remove that,
then you'll have to use it daily cos it will furr up in our british weather

for cleaning my bike i use AUTOGLYM. it ain't cheap,
but you know it's gonna do what it say's on the bottle..!

If bike is very filthy and neglected, try Partco's traffic film remover - very powerful stuff - use only as directed and wear protective clothing. Take care with aluminium bits as it is caustic! Autoglym for shiny bits after they are clean. ACF 50 as winter protection INCLUDING all electrical bits and engine (great stuff).
Mike