Washing your bike. - Yamaha FZ8 Forums - International FZ8 Motorcycle Community Forum

trixster8 · 06-04-2011, 09:55 AM

Just thought I would start a thread about washing the bike, so we can share some tips on keeping it looking good. I learned real fast that this black FZ8 is a lot harder to keep clean than my yellow Honda. I just washed it yesterday, basically just hosed it down, then washed it with some soapy water (turtle was soap) using a microfiber cloth, rinsed it, and used "The Absorber" to dry it off and keep it from spotting. It turned out pretty good, some spots here and there.

Does anyone use anything to wipe it down real quick and get the bugs off, without having to get the hose out and completely wash it?

SpunkyTheTuna · 06-04-2011, 10:38 AM

Been using an electric leaf blower to dry bikes for years and years. Helps prevent spots and gets the water out of those hard to reach crevices and such. There are some guys selling basically the same cheapo devices rebranded with some kind of ridiculous RealBiker name for way too much money. Any cheap hardware store leaf blower works just fine.

00007 · 06-05-2011, 07:36 AM

i use meguiars spray on wax! it wipes almost all the left over waters spots off!!! just spray on in little sections and rub off works well and really quick!

Rgraphic · 06-27-2011, 07:25 PM

I've only been using original bike spirits (originally honda spray cleaner & polish) and a micro fiber cloth. Amazing stuff and cleans and protects everything (painted,chrome,plastic,rubber,etc). Bike still looks like the day I bought it and never had to use a hose. I'm just sure to give it a quick wipe down after each ride to prevent dirt build up that could scratch the finish when cleaning.

**DJK1505** · 06-30-2011, 05:45 PM

Rgraphic, Im right there with you. I got it home wiped it down, hand waxed it, and since then have used that waterless car wash with wax. Looks like it just came out of the paint booth. And quick wipe downs after each ride keeps it easy to clean.

**Dr_Doom** · 06-30-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rgraphic

I've only been using original bike spirits (originally honda spray cleaner & polish) and a micro fiber cloth. Amazing stuff and cleans and protects everything (painted,chrome,plastic,rubber,etc). Bike still looks like the day I bought it and never had to use a hose. I'm just sure to give it a quick wipe down after each ride to prevent dirt build up that could scratch the finish when cleaning.

I've been using Honda pro cleaner for ten years, and I agree with you that it's amazing. I wash with soap and water to get rid of the heavy dirt and then I go over it with the Honda pro cleaner to give it that showroom shine. Trixter, the Honda pro cleaner is great for touch up cleaning. Honda's chain lube is also awesome.

LitzerSki · 07-01-2011, 01:06 PM

I've never washed any of my bikes...

gearjunky13 · 07-03-2011, 02:57 PM

I like turtle wax ice for quick cleen ups with a micro fiber cloth so it wont scrach the plastics, it works grate with no white residue

sendtoharvey · 09-15-2011, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearjunky13

I like turtle wax ice for quick cleen ups with a micro fiber cloth so it wont scrach the plastics, it works grate with no white residue

same here..i use that too

djcecil · 09-16-2011, 05:14 PM

deionized water in a squirt bottle will give you a spot free rinse if you live in a hard water area. only a buck or less a gallon and a decent spray bottle is at lowes, etc. just mist it down after you rinse off the soap with the hose.

06-04-2011, 09:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
trixster8 Avid Rider Bike: 2011 Yamaha FZ8 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South Elgin, Illinois Posts: 118 Thanks: 22 Thanked 38 Times in 19 Posts	Washing your bike. Just thought I would start a thread about washing the bike, so we can share some tips on keeping it looking good. I learned real fast that this black FZ8 is a lot harder to keep clean than my yellow Honda. I just washed it yesterday, basically just hosed it down, then washed it with some soapy water (turtle was soap) using a microfiber cloth, rinsed it, and used "The Absorber" to dry it off and keep it from spotting. It turned out pretty good, some spots here and there. Does anyone use anything to wipe it down real quick and get the bugs off, without having to get the hose out and completely wash it?

09-16-2011, 05:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
djcecil Avid Rider Bike: FZ8 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 119 Thanks: 12 Thanked 19 Times in 14 Posts	deionized water in a squirt bottle will give you a spot free rinse if you live in a hard water area. only a buck or less a gallon and a decent spray bottle is at lowes, etc. just mist it down after you rinse off the soap with the hose. __________________ gpr pipe, k&n filter, progrips, ebay levers, tires dunlop q2's rear 190/55, 15 tooth front sprocket, 100mm angel eye, integrated led signals in headlight, rear led stop w/ integrated sig, oes frame sliders and rear spools, smog plates, new paint, garmin gps so i don't get lost

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-04-2011, 10:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
SpunkyTheTuna Commuter Bike: FZ8 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 88 Thanks: 3 Thanked 20 Times in 14 Posts	Been using an electric leaf blower to dry bikes for years and years. Helps prevent spots and gets the water out of those hard to reach crevices and such. There are some guys selling basically the same cheapo devices rebranded with some kind of ridiculous RealBiker name for way too much money. Any cheap hardware store leaf blower works just fine.

06-05-2011, 07:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
00007 Canyon Carver Bike: 2000 kawi zx7r/2011 yamaha fz8 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: norther ontario Posts: 379 Thanks: 45 Thanked 32 Times in 21 Posts	i use meguiars spray on wax! it wipes almost all the left over waters spots off!!! just spray on in little sections and rub off works well and really quick!

06-27-2011, 07:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rgraphic Pillion Bike: Yamaha FZ8n Join Date: May 2011 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 33 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I've only been using original bike spirits (originally honda spray cleaner & polish) and a micro fiber cloth. Amazing stuff and cleans and protects everything (painted,chrome,plastic,rubber,etc). Bike still looks like the day I bought it and never had to use a hose. I'm just sure to give it a quick wipe down after each ride to prevent dirt build up that could scratch the finish when cleaning.

06-30-2011, 05:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
DJK1505 Canyon Carver Bike: 2011 Yamaha FZ8 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Yorkshire, Virginia Posts: 276 Thanks: 1 Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts	Rgraphic, Im right there with you. I got it home wiped it down, hand waxed it, and since then have used that waterless car wash with wax. Looks like it just came out of the paint booth. And quick wipe downs after each ride keeps it easy to clean.

07-01-2011, 01:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
LitzerSki Pillion Bike: 2006 VFR800, 2011 FZ8 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 6 Posts	I've never washed any of my bikes...

07-03-2011, 02:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
gearjunky13 Pillion Bike: fz8, two brothers pipe, fender eliminator Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: united states Posts: 18 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	I like turtle wax ice for quick cleen ups with a micro fiber cloth so it wont scrach the plastics, it works grate with no white residue