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Soap & water or cleaner & a rag

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  #1  
Old 06-28-2007 | 08:05 AM
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neversatisfied
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Default Soap & water or cleaner & a rag

I wash my bike every week, soap and water, hose, bucket, the whole deal,but I have heard a lot of riders dont ever wash thier bikes but instead use a spray cleaner and a rag. What do you do and why? After the wash I make sure it is good and dry with the leaf blower and a towel. It just seems to me I am less likely to scratch anything with a big fluffy wash mit than with a rag with some cleaner sprayed on it......
 
  #2  
Old 06-28-2007 | 09:45 AM
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Default RE: Soap & water or cleaner & a rag

I do both, when I have a lot of time I get the soap and water out, and enjoy washing the bike, however, when I am just wanting to get it clean and get on the road the spray cleaner with a microfiber rag. I also use lemon pledge for a really quick wipe down.
 
  #3  
Old 06-28-2007 | 10:29 AM
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Default RE: Soap & water or cleaner & a rag

ORIGINAL: Scruggs

I do both, when I have a lot of time I get the soap and water out, and enjoy washing the bike, however, when I am just wanting to get it clean and get on the road the spray cleaner with a microfiber rag.
Same here.
 
  #4  
Old 06-28-2007 | 10:48 AM
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Default RE: Soap & water or cleaner & a rag

I do the car wash soap and water routine depending upon what my riding has been like. Long hauls and bugs, full wash. Get caught in the rain, full wash. Between times, Qwik Detailer and damp cloth keeps it looking good.
 
  #5  
Old 06-28-2007 | 11:08 AM
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oldgeezer
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Default RE: Soap & water or cleaner & a rag

Same as sleepneagle.
 
  #6  
Old 06-28-2007 | 11:12 AM
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Default RE: Soap & water or cleaner & a rag

I use that S100, it lathers up real good. Then I dry with a microfiber towel. I like going to the car wash to wash the bike, the high psig gets all the road dirt off.
 
  #7  
Old 06-28-2007 | 02:17 PM
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Default RE: Soap & water or cleaner & a rag

Once a week? Unless you are a dirt rider. Using a blower will enbed the water residue deeper inside the nuts and bolts our bikes have. I ride mine every day and had washed it only once since bought new 7.5K ago, and just becauseI was caught in the rain and rode through muddy puddles, it was a mess. Otherwise, I only use a rag and cleaner at least twice a week,including the wheels.



 
  #8  
Old 06-28-2007 | 02:36 PM
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Default RE: Soap & water or cleaner & a rag

Wash the bike every other week. Never wipe in between.

Wiping the bike with dust on it scratches chrome.
 
  #9  
Old 06-29-2007 | 01:12 PM
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Default RE: Soap & water or cleaner & a rag

A clean rag and a bucket of clean warm water. A clean cloth lightly sprayed with silicone. (Spray
the cloth on both sideslightly with the silicone and shake it out real good).
Clean the fender with the rag and water, dry with silicone sprayed cloth. Clean the tank, dry with cloth, ect. ect.

Works like a charm.
 
  #10  
Old 06-30-2007 | 05:40 PM
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Default RE: Soap & water or cleaner & a rag

Mine won't see a hose unless it falls into a mud bog. Hasn't happened so far. Most hardware on Harleys is cad plated and in time will start to corrode.Water gets into places you don't want it to and usually leaves mineral spots that you have to detail anyway. I found using a mit or whatever with soap and water , sooner or later you will pick up some fine grit and grind the **** out of the paint job or chrome because the suds hide it.
Ron
 


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