Waaaaay off topic, but you reminded me of it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7QIcxoJU4g

 

Ok, I've used A LOT of products on various surfaces and finishes. And I've got a few buddies in the car/bike resto business and so I've picked up a few good products that I like. Note that everyone is going to have different opinions and preferences BUT here's some of the basics I use.

1. You want a good wax. I prefer paste over liquid wax. Meguiar's makes some great stuff that wont break the bank. You can go out and get that $100 wax, which is great stuff, but ur honestly blowing your money. Also, a cheap wax will always look crappy so dont be afraid to spend a little on cleaning products but also dont waste your money.
---Meguiars's NXT generation tech Wax 2.0 is GREAT stuff.
http://www.meguiars.com/estore/produ...ectionID=11502

2. Detailer is a MUST. I've used everything from cheap stuff like turtle wax detailer to the super high dollar stuff but I've found that Ace-It is the BEST. It can clean ANY surface, is streak free, acts like a wax, and makes all chrome and painted surfaces pop big time. I've never used anything better.
http://www.aceitpolish.com/shop/ace-it-products.html

3. I always have an extra metal polish lying around to use on my wheels and other chrome surfaces when they're too dirty for a spray on detailer like Ace-It. While Ace-It usually works, sometimes my mag wheels need a product with a bit more scrubbing power. For this I keep a can of mothers around. I've also found that Blue Magic Metal Polish Cream does a great job too. Either of these are fine. Out of the two I prefer Mothers.

4. Tire black is essential to making your bike look sleek. You can clean all you want but the wrong tire black can look crappy. I stay away from products by Armor-All and Eagle One. Anything you have to apply by hand is also a no no. THe best stuff I've used is Meguiar's NXT Generation Insane Shine spray on tire black. It looks AWESOME and wont sling off as you ride down the road like several other tire wets.
http://www.meguiars.com/estore/produ...ectionID=18101


Really that's all you need. If you're a clean freak like me. I clean mine everytime I ride because it's no hassle to use the detailer and knock bugs/dust/road grime off before I ride. It also helps me keep a check on anything like leaks and the like. I usually wax once a month and use the detailer the rest of the time. My bike looks brand new, and trust me, other people notice it. If you're the kinda guy that doesn't care, then by all means, that's cool too. It's whatever you want it to be. Persoanlly, I like to keep my $12,000 investment looking like it rolled off the showroom floor.

 

Your new "Davidson"? You trying to start a trend here???

Shakey

 

Mine still looks good, but it doesn't look new. I ride it and don't worry about it. I ride it all year long. I clean it once or twice each month, and I polish it one or twice each year. Good enough for me.

 

Quite often people are shocked to hear my bike is a '99..."I thought it was a new bike!".

I ride my bike. Over 60K on her, but I take care of it. Not to the point of obsession. But I take my time to detail it about twice a year (I live in MN so we only ride about 7 months). And wash it when it gets dirty. I'm known to Pledge it on the road which works pretty good.

One thing that can really make a difference is keeping your engine clean and coated so It look nice and black (not gray). I just silicone spary or WD40 after a wash to keep it looking nice and black.

Go ride your bike first and save the cleaning for rainy days. Enjoy you new ride!

 

Armor All Butter Smooth Wax. Works great, cuts waxing time in half and looks oh so shiny..

 

I'm along those thoughts too....my bike is a 2006, she still gets compliments on how new she looks. Roughly once a month I"ll clean her. Carwash in the water bucket. Soft clean old tee-shirts for rags...to wipe her down with after washing so no spots remain. All done in under an hour...there are other things I'd rather spend my time doing.

 

i gave up on trying to keep the bike looking new, if you ride regularly it's going to look ridden. you'll develop some rust here and there over time, it's metal and a machine nothing you can really do aside from don't ride it and store it in a climate controlled garage.

 

Let this Guy clean it for ya!

 

I know the feeling. First couple months I was always wiping the bike down after a ride and once a week giving it a bath. Always had the sudden heart jump at what looked like a small scratch or blemish. Finally, reality set in and I realized that the more I ride, the more risk.

I finally came to realize that any small cosmetic damage (which does suck) won't make it any less fun to ride!