I got it cut down to about 45 minutes, get a spray bottle with peroxide not diluted with water ,spray it on the faring ,shield , fork tubes, everything with bugs on it, put it up on the jack, go get the hose, fill a tree sprayer with your favorite car wash soap, spray it all over the bike, take a wash mitt over the bug area to make sure you got all of it , rinse , blow dry. You may have to wipe down some water spots if you don't wax often.

 

For bugs on screen and batwing: I hang a towel over it and spray with water. It helps soak the bugs and loosens them before removal. Minimizes scratches.

Meguiars or similar car wash soap and wash mit in a bucket. Wash entire bike, bottom last. Rinse with a spot-free rinse hose attachment (several on the market that supposedly have de-ionized water output).

Blow dry with a shop vac.

Saddlle bags removed and seat removed for under-the-fender cleaning too.

 

Wash with no spot car wash soap, S-100 on motor and hard to reach areas, dry with leaf blower, apply S-100 engine brightener, wax and polish everything about every other month unless I get caught in a storm and the bike is really grimey. Use Lucas Slick Mist on everything about once per week in between washings.

 

+1 on the Slick Mist.

Used to use Meguiars Quick Detailer but tried the Slick Mist and man I love that stuff. Better than Meguiars IMO. Did a extensive detail on a buds bike and told him to get some for touch ups. He said his bike ain't ever shined like after he gets done wiping it down woth the stuff.

 

Pretty much like quoted here for me.
I do use a dust mop first which gets alot of the abrasive stuff off
Spray on the Meguires and use my bare hand or microfiber to get the bugs loose
Rewax the whole bike including chrome a few times a season.

 

If you keep your ride clean, then it never gets dirty!

I clean & polish my SG after every ride, with:



This is the re-packaged version of the famous Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish. This stuff works great on EVERYTHING (painted surfaces, glass, windshields, chrome, plastic, vinyl, leather, rubber).

 

Hang on a second while I put on my flame retardant suit.......................................



I spray everything coated with bugs with hydrogen peroxide mixed 50/50 with RO water. Wait a few minutes, then ride 1/2 mile to the CAR WASH.

I stay away from any bearings, and switches with the spray.

Last step is the treated water water rinse.

Been doing this on every bike I've owned for the past (gasp) 45 years. Never, ever had any problems caused by doing this.

From start to finish, including drying is 1/2 hour.

 

Depends on my mood and the time available. Sometimes, up on the jack with every inch being washed by hand. Sometimes blasted at the quarter car wash and dried with a run down the freeway.

 

I like to hire the college girls who live 2 doors down to wash it in their bikinis, then i don't mind if it takes 3 hours.........or if it's spotless for that matter.

 

+1 on the detailing spray and micro fiber towels. I've never "washed" my bikes. I routinely stay on top of it as part of general maintenance. Spray Meguiars Motorcycle Detailer Mist either directly on the bike or on the towel for tight areas. Wipe down. Use Leather cleaner/conditioner to wipe down bags when needed. Use plexi cleaner to wipe down windwhield more frequently. Not time consuming at all. And you don't need to be a chrome ***** polisher---just wipe down to remove hand prints, bugs, dust/dirt. Bike always looks "washed" but I never get it wet and soapy. And you can do the beer thing, too.