cleaning your scoot

[dogfood09]

Hi guys,

Hope you all had a good Christmas...
I have had my S Wing for a month now and was thinking about cleaning it...any advice on what materials I should use...was just going to get some warm soapy water and drench the thing with a sponge...

[chippie]

I use Muck Off on the really dirty areas using a paint brush on really stubborn bits
rinse off and then wash the scoot with a good wash and wax.I never use washing
up liquid as some actually have salt in them.

[Ferrit]

Never washed any of my bikes, might run a hose over them now and then to get rid of salt.

[MrGrumpy]

I've read that you shouldn't use warm water (on the metallic bits) as this causes some sort of reaction with the salt to start corrosion....but of course if you use cold water your hands will freeze!
The plastic bits aren't a problem - I don't use shampoos very often. I'm a bit wary of most soapy things as you don't want to get anything sticky on the brakes!
Probably best to get some sort of spray thing to clean all the salt and crap from around the brakes - including between pads and disk - salt can do nasty things to calipers etc. Power washers may be too powerful though.

[Data]

I use a wax wash for cars but only just a tiny dash of it in a bucket of near cold water. I use a clean micro fibre cloth and before I wash the bike I spray the bike entirely with a cold water spray from a plant sprayer to soften any dirt. Any mud I wash off separately with cold water, as I do with salt. Grumpy is right about warm water sparking off the salt corrosion but you prolly know all about that. I use a separate soft artificial leather for drying the bike after a careful rinse over with fresh water and a clean microfibre cloth. Afterwards, when all that's done I do some detail cleaning with a toothbrush where needed around the engine and under the bike. I use FS365 and Waxoyl to protect nuts and bolts that are exposed. I use synthetic grease spray on pivot points such as brake levers and stands etc. I only ever use clean water on the fork staunchions and then leather them clean. Fork seals don't really like protective sprays or waxes. I polish the whole bike with Autoglym Super Resin. Works well. Total time takes 2 hours including the detail cleaning. I do that once a month usually, but if out in the salt, before I put the bike away I usually!!! rinse the bike off with a low pressure hose avoiding wheel bearing areas, let it dry and put it in the garage. I then retire for several beers and come on here to chat to you lot. Errr...the beers may explain my skewed view of the world!!...

[spaceprobe]

Best bike cleaner I have ever used http://www.getgeared.co.uk/PROCYCLE_Gel ... ry=3010649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kayz1]

Clean----ingggggggg No sorry don't no that one


ACF50 before winter then just a cold water spray after a ride to remove
any salt,,a good going over after the salt has gone..and thats that.

[Le_Quack]

I've been using WD40's specialist motorcycle cleaner. Does the job and leaved a streak free shine on my nice white s-wing. Dead easy to use too point and spray, bit pricey tho.
http://www.wd40specialistmotorbike.co.u ... otal-wash/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I do wash it over with tepid/room temperature water first tho (is says in the Hondas manual not to use warm water but I've not noticed any problems and I wouldn't want to use freezing cold this time of year) the spray on the cleaner leave it for 10 minutes (drink cup of tea) and the rinse that off.

ACF-50'd the crap out of everything metal as well

[Ferret]

The best cleaner i have used is S-DOC but it is pricey ,but whatever i use to clean its always followed by ACF 50 after which further cleaning is just a cold water rinse off the salt and crap until the better weather arrives when she gets a proper strip and clean and inspection under the skin .