Each to their own, hence the variety of bikes & styles. Personally I have no interest in american cruisers, choppers or low-riders, but there's obviously a big market for them, especially those of my age or older (I'm 60+). Neither do I want a 'rat bike' but again there are those who love them. Whatever you ride is your choice and so is how much time and attention you want to spend on appearance. However, taking the time to clean your bike / bikes (which I'm not always the most scrupulous with) does mean you're inspecting the bike(s) and the time used to find anything that needs maintenance or repairing. From recent personal experience, I was about to go out on a ride a couple of weeks ago so was cleaning and checking my Honda VFR800 when I found half a Stanley knife blade embedded in my rear tyre tread. No loss of pressure but I could just see the carcass weave so it had penetrated the entire depth of the rubber carcass. That was annoying as the tyre (Bridgestone T31) was less than 1000 miles old and cost me £144 for a new tyre, but possibly could have saved myself injury and server damage to the bike if it had blown out.
I've come back to this one in 2021 and am impressed at your current (2021) maturity as a presenter. In 2021 your "pace" seems more effective in that the presentation in both speech and scene cuts has much better flow. You've become more apparently fit (all those salads I suppose) and your movements lend themselves to vlogging. Well done! And, of course, great advice on bike cleaning!
Yep, that's the way I do it. Only difference is I have an air compressor anyway and use that to get the water out of the nooks and crannies. I also use a ptfe based product once the bike is dry as a water repellent in those nooks and crannies. Not every wash, but absolutely before winter riding. And for those wanting to bring the plastic bits, especially black bits, back to life, silicon lube is brilliant. Look for PME or similar product, wife uses it on her TVR too. Cleaning your bike is not just about keeping it pretty. It also gives you a heads up on things that need attention to keep you safe. Good video, thanks for sharing.
One piece of advice I would add is to always use light pressure (if any pressure at all) while washing with the wash mitt and during drying with a towel. This helps keeps swirl marks to a minimum. I also use an electric leaf blower for drying and it's a great time saver. Does a fine job of getting water out from between cooling fins, radiators and hard to reach places.
Brilliant video, very informative as a new biker it is great to see how others clean their bikes and protect against the elements especially at winter time.. Keep up the series of garage vids!!!!
I don't let my bike get too dirty i.e. quick wash using muc off as soon as I get home or a day or so later. BUT, just got back from a very rainy Ireland and s week of crud on my bike. Used muc off twice and it just wouldn't budge the ingrained dirt no matter how much I rinsed, even with two goes. It came down to loads of car wash detergent and elbow grease. Muc off can 'uc off and being using it for years.
We all like to ride something that looks attractive. Personally after a few pints I'm not overly fussed. You did well keeping a straight face after that statement. 😂
There's definitely a job waiting for you on QVC :-). I can just imagine you presenting those miracle cleaning products and speaking to June from Basildon. "Hello June. Tell us why you love today's special value - the GrungnBlast?" "Oh, well I use it everywhere. It gets into all the nooks and crannies you know. I don't know how I ever lived without it." :-))
Kärcher saves the day. If you put your bike away over winter wipe over your engine, fairing parts and plastic control housings on the handlebar with pure silicone oil using a cotton cloth. Your bike will look like brand new in the spring. Remnants of bugs can be wiped off with Motul Wash and Wax. That's also good for cleaning the rims and getting rid of all the oil and grease from the chain. On all parts be careful and only use a very soft cotton cloth. Todays plastic parts can be scratched so easily...
Thank you for the how-to. I've always been reluctant to clean bikes for fear of not properly doing it. The dryer tip was brilliant. I used my shop vac with the hose on the blower end. Worked like a charm! Cheers.
When snow foaming , the IK foam pro 2 is a very good device for motorbikes, as it removes the need for a pressure washer, and the additional risks that brings of course. We have been using this along with the Alpha Bikes Sub zero snow foam, and works fantastically.
I used to use a leaf blower but it was very cumbersome so I've now got the Hog Blaster warm air dryer. I haven't used it yet but it does sit well in the hand unlike the leaf blower. I also buy the cleaning products in bulk, usually 20Ltrs at a time as well as distilled water and white vinegar (for flushing the cooling system) I get my bulk bags of microfibre cloths from Screwfix (50 in a bag) and they are very good too. Having said this I still should clean my bikes more often :)
+Hepcat Harley I never thought of using my leaf blower - but I tend to agree, it is a little cumbersome (maybe I'll use on the car!!).....thanks for stopping by HH, good to hear from you again my friend!
The two bucket method - I am going to use that! I'm actually cringing now thinking about how many times i've dipped the cleaning mitt back into the (increasingly) murky water. Nice tip!
+WeNeedASaga You'll be surprised how dirty the "rinse" bucket gets, and I suspect you won't turn back to the "one bucket" method again!!! :0) Cheers for watching - all the best - TMF
here in the US I use the good old leaf blower VS the little vacuum Just a note Thanks good video many gents fear getting the beast wet ! a good cleaning is the best .
I know I'm 4 years late to this thread but I've finally got around to buying a Bruhl motorbike dryer on your recommendation. Great piece of kit. All I need now is a relaxation of the current lockdown in order to actually get my bike dirty enough to need a clean!
good video,, I only used muckoff once couple of yrs ago,, and seemed to think my switch gear on the handlebars went from black to a light grey,, followed the destructions ,,but didn't agree with the plastics ,,never used since anyhow take care shane bring on the summer ,,,goodwood festival booked up ,,,
That's interesting, I've never had an issue with it but can see why that would put you off! Yes Goodwood is an excellent event isn't it, roll on Summer for more of these sort of do's. Good to hear from you again, thanks for sticking with me - TMF
Every rider has his own preferred method of cleaning, those that actually clean them that is! I don't use Muc Off as it's way overpriced IMO, there are other products I think are as good and much cheaper. The most important thing is to use plenty of water, as you do, to rinse away the dislodged dirt and grime. I've used compressed air from a compressor for years for the drying stage but just bought one of the bike/pet dryers, very similar to yours. Not actually used it yet so looking forward to the next wash day!
another Muc Off product that is great is the Motorcycle Protective Spray. I call it "New bike in a can'" as it leaves the bike with that wet look and it is also a water dispersant. Again, expensive but well worth it.
Well I took your advice and bought a Blaster Side Kick dryer (on Amazon). It's one of those things you know you can live without but once you use it......you're hooked. Sure made drying the bike must easier and so much quicker. Then I applied the ACF 50. End results are outstanding. Thanks for the tips/demo's.
Excellent Video For those of us on a Budget I use my £50 Wet & Dry 20l Vacmaster on Blow to Dry my Bike after running for a time the air blowing out is quite warm. Not as efficient as your blower but is is quite effective.
You really should be on the TV, excellent presentation skills, you should have applied for the vacancy at Top Gear, lol. I also use my leaf blower, it does a great job and being two stroke it sounds great, though I'm not sure our neighbour would agree, lol. Microfibre cloths are really useful and they can be washed in the machine, saves throwing them away and they come out like brand new. A good tip for the summer months for getting rid of bugs on the motorcycle screens(fairing panel and helmet visor), run a microfibre cloth under the hot tap, ring out the excess and just drape it over the bike screen for two or three mins, it rehydrates the dead bugs and they wipe off really easily, no vigorous harmful scrubbing required, saves the polished paintwork. cheers tony
+antonoat Thanks for the kind words as ever Tony - yes that trick for the bugs in Summer is a good one, I have been known to drape the whole of the front of the bike with damp towels to shift a particularly heavy crop! Cheers.....
Thanks for this video, which I watched a while ago. I haven't invested in a dryer like yours because I usually go for a "spin dry", but recently it's been a bit damp and mucky so I have taken to drying my bikes off with my leaf blower. I was surprised how much water came running out of the nooks and crannies! Thanks again for suggesting the blow dry technique.
It reminds me of years ago, when the woman at the family planning clinic recommended we use the 'Rhythm Method'. That didn't work, as I had trouble getting a band together! lol. :-D
I have two lightweight residential use leaf blowers - one electric and the other a Stihl petrol - both handy in terms of no cables and power. If anyone has something similar to start with, maybe see if it works as well for you as it does me for my cars and bike. But if you don't the warm air master blaster seems a worthwhile investment.
Ive used muc off for years but it's a convenience cleaner when you can't be arsed getting a sponge out. For a good clean muc off doesn't work any better than a sponge, good bike detergent and a bit of elbow grease. A good spray of gunk on the stubborn stuff is good too but messy, but what the hell.
+markmywords312 Yeah I agree, I just use it as an initial spray over to loosen the stubborn stuff and get rid of the majority of muck before I set to work with the sponge - in reality you're probably right, I could just get on with it with the sponge but somehow I at least feel like I'm doing a more thorough job with this initial step.....works for me anyway! Thanks for stopping by by, all the best - TMF
From bike drying standpoint I just switch the hose on my Shop Vac from the intact side to the exhaust side - it' not heated but it works pretty darn well..
I've been cleaning my bikes in a similar manner, with the exception of the 'snow foam', so I went and bought one. I'm not sure on it's effectiveness as yet, perhaps I'm not letting it sit long enough. I quite enjoy keeping the bikes sparkly too.
Yes the snow foam is probably overkill and I don't always use it - I tend to only snow foam if (a) I'm doing the car with it anyway or (b) the bike is particularly cruddy (which is rare as I don't tend to let them sit dirty for long....stresses me out!)....I have to say I'm not sold on it's effectiveness either but I like to think it gets into nooks and crannies I wouldn't otherwise reach....
Just watched you video on how to apply ACF50 and then the how to clean your bike video - both very good. Now you know that orange compressor tool that didn’t work for the ACF50 is fantastic for applying the pink Muc-Off. you will find that yiu use about 50% less Muc-Off and will get great penetration using the compressor. I set my to about 20psi so fairly low pressure and it works a treat really putting the Muc Off in those hard to reach places Cheers
You might also want to clean the paint and protect it at the same time Meguire's makes a fantastic product for that called CAR CLEANER WAX since you like their products already, easy on easy off. Leaves a protective film of wax against scratches and other nasties. If you want to really be anal about it, you can finish up with a proper coat of Carnauba wax , again Meguire's makes a good one, so does Mothers and eagle one and sonax etc.
Thanks great vid. I’m a newbie and passed my DAS a couple of weeks ago, waiting for my 1st bike to be delivered (Red Tracer 7GT) and looking for tips on bike cleaning. What would you recommend for maintaining the shine on the cylinder/exhaust pipes? Is there a way to eliminate the ‘blueing’? Thanks Si
I don't even have a bike, but I still watch all your videos. One day this will be useful I'm sure ! Either way, great video's and great channel. Cheers!
Hi back on 2 wheels after 30 years , I really appreciate your guidance. My new purchase now has ACF50 on it , now if I take it out for a ride on these salty roads and then want to wash It ,will muc off take the ACF50 off ? What do u suggest please ?
I know you did, very welcome comment. It seems if you put it on and get distracted come back 30 or 40 mins later damage done. I have seen an engine here in Belfast and not pretty, Fairy liquid is hard to beat !!
Right sadly Fairy liquid has salts which are harsh on metal and plastic. You need a product that is PH neutral. You won't think Fairy Liquid damages your bike on first, second or even third wash. However, over a number of washes you will begin to see how much its stripped and damaged your paint work. I speak from experience, I foolishly used it for 10 years and could never understand why my bike(s) looked less than youthful despise all my hard work. After all, Fairy Liquid should be soft on hands, and that's how it's always been branded. I've switched to PH neutral products and my current bike always looks in showroom condition.
I can vouch for the pink mucoff stuff, I buy it by the 10 litres and it lasts for a good while. I find just the mucoff wash is enough though, but do use the mucoff bike spray in the black bottle afterwards. It's a good water repellant, leaves a protective barrier and the bike showroom shiny, it smells nice as a bonus.
HI TMF, I found a pet air blower on amazon and was surprised how much cheaper it was compared to a 'bike' blower, also would recommend using ear plugs when using it. love the 2 bucket method
can I ask where you got the information that muc off cleaner contains salt? I use it a lot and wasn't aware of this. ive done some research and I cant find any information on it containing salt. I did email muc off to ask them but they never replied.
...well it's a rumour at least that circulates the various forums, I like the stuff but many people claim (apparently some dealers included) that it does harm to your bike long term - all I can say is it's never harmed mine!!
TheMissendenFlyer no mine neither and I've used it for years. salts generally used as a wetting agent and softener in a lot of detergent. but reputable automotive cleaners generally don't for obvious reason. just suspicious that muc off never replied to my email. good video by the way!
As a quick wax id highly recommend Muc-Off speed polish. A quick spray all over, 2 microfiber cloths and the result is top notch. It takes less than 5 minutes, and if your bike is looking dull rather than dirty its ideal, cheap, and one can is good for a dozen waxes.
...so, quite sometime ago a Bosch (Fuel Injection) Specialist (and friend) once told me that they (So Cal based Bosch) discovered that using Simple Green was the best cleaning foundation on a warm car or motorcycle because it did not dry out any of the hoses, belts, vinyl or any other soft item on a motor vehicle... In your scenario, SG would replace the McGuires, probably costing about the same though Not smelling nearly as good, of course... As I remember it, the key was applying to a warmed up vehicle, not hot, mind you but just warmed a little... His bikes (he was a motorcycle drag racer) and his cars were nearly always immaculate. As to the rest of the process, he used similar modalities... Appreciate your singular and idealistic viewpoint on all things motorcycle!
...ah, well, that would be an issue - I wonder why not since it is supposed to be very safe, non-toxic and utterly bio-degradable, even safe for septic systems?
...I understand - it was all the rage here back in the 90's but places like Costco still carry larger sizes such as gallons with spray bottle attached - still smells lousy but they even tried to address that with a new fragrance... Anyway, for me it was, quite simply, the need to clean and yet not cause degradation in any soft material such as hoses, belts and vinyl...
+Birotar UK Aha, thanks for that - now duly credited in the description box! (I Googled and that picture came up - apols for not asking to use it first)....thanks for stopping by - TMF
Great video. My only question is don't you end up using loads more muc off by wetting the bike first? I always start with muc off on the motor, radiator, and cycle parts, wait for it to work, and then rinse it off with hot water. I then rinse down the whole bike with cold water, and get to work on the paintwork etc with car wash afterwards.
I watched the vid, and took it as my guide as I deep cleaned my Street Triple today, thanks for the tips! I don't have a drier, but a 'spin dry' ride out seems like a perfect excuse to me ;-)
Meant to mention, I also cleaned the chain at the same time - my first time cleaning a chain, and I always thought chain needed to be removed, and soaked or something. However used WD40 chain cleaning spray (brilliant!) and an Oxford Products brush (both from Halfords) and they made cleaning the chain while it was on the bike really easy, and actually, quite satisfying. It came up a treat!
Thanks TMF another great video, you it's obvious stuff but your acf50 video is I think the most explanatory on the web. One question for you - I have read that muck off strips off the acf50 ? I'd not great. Do you find this or not? And if not what do you use to remove the acf50 when dirt sticks to it? Thanks again, keep up the video work.
+Rob Smith Thanks Rob - I find the ACF50 does visibly get removed when you wash the bike anyway (although they claim a thin layer is molecularly [is that a word] left) hence why I re-apply it through winter, I don't find the Muc-off removes it in particular but I'm sure it helps!!
Cracking Vid as always. I'm about to attack the sv650 this morning as we have a sniff of Cornish sun. Amazing how many more bikes come out in March! But then, I'd tuck mine away for the winter too if I could. All the best.
+footprint studio Thanks for the kind comments - hope that sun shows itself (pretty grim here in the South East this morning......unlike yesterday that was glorious). All the best - TMF
Very similar cleaning regime to mine. I wash my bike every time I ride which gets me some ridicule from my mates. Like you, I use muc off, acf 50 but I use autoglm wash and muc off uber wax for a final shine and protective coat. Muc off protectant spray is also very good for driving out moisture and brings black plastic and trim up nice aswell. The only thing I have struggled to find a good cleaning method for, is the satin finish on my zx10.
Very good videos. Looking at the reg plates on your bikes on the video and was wondering what reg size they are as I have a yam mt07 with standard reg size absolutely massive lol
I use a waterless wash for my bike, spray on, wipe off, buff. I think Missenden Flyer is going a bit overboard with his cleaning. His way would be good for an off road ridden bike though, but overkill for a road bike. You might want to look into putting a paint coating on, such as Modesta.
+Boodieman72 I have an in built horror of "water less" washing systems, to my mind they are a dead-cert to paint swirls but if it works for you..... :0) Cheers for watching and stopping by once again..TMF
I use Chemical Guys Eco-Smart. If you are worried about swirls, apply a paint coating. My favorite is Modesta, but its expensive. I am subscribed of course.
Man I love your puns hahahahaha Also don't know if you have ever noticed, but when you purchase microfibre towels or washmitts they usually contain a tag stating what the product is made of and its care instructions. I always rip/cut them off. I've noticed if you rub that tag on any paintwork it will cause noticable swirls/spiderwebs/scratching on the finish.
G'day Harry - glad you're enjoying my videos, good to have you along! Which bit of Aus are you in?? Would love to visit there some day but you're sooooo far away.....
Quick question I live in New Zealand but used to live very close to Great Missenden ( Hazlemere)…can I assume you live in Missenden I try to spot some of your test routes……thanks
I'm so glad you've made this video. Do you have any tips for cleaning chains? I have one of those chain brushes and that Silkolene chain cleaner but it doesn't seem to work. My bike is immaculate but the chain lets it down. Thanks in advance.
Earned yourself a subscriber! Good videos and informative channel! Also nice collection of bikes, picking just the best for touring, sports, street, cross :) I like it!
Thanks for the info 👍. Interesting to see how somebody else goes about something that is an essential all be a chore of a job. And I see you have a lot of love for your bikes. Lovely 😍 collection
Brilliant video and videos, passed my test not long back got myself the duke 390 after watching your review. Can I ask how you do the wheels as I'm scared of scratching the paint off them. The wheel brushes seem very abbrasive. Thanks and safe riding.
I treat them the same as the rest of the bike, use some pre-wash then rinse and use a bug shifter covered in soapy water....the key is the "2 bucket method".....
@@TheMissendenFlyer dear Andy my bike is BMW G310GS which runs on chain drive ..pls advise when I should clean the chain before or after drying the bike
good vid , just sold my cbr 600 for a street triple , not so easy to clean without all the plastic around the engine . do you not need to polish the paint work ?
+mark smith I sometimes polish the Street Triple tank with Meguire's polish but not the CRF or BMW as they are plastic.....depends on my mood really!!!
Bloody excellent!!! There are so many differing views on washing bikes but your vid offers solid logical practical tips. Thank you ever so much. And I love the way you sign off your videos. Cheerio. 😁👍👍
I'm again, and once again very educative video, I'm also like my byke clean and I do it my self. I'm using different brand of products but the some result, good point use 2 buckets. I have a power washer that I can reduce the power and to rinse I have a compresor. cheers
It would certainly go some way - the bike dryer though has a built in heater and the hot air makes a real difference (plus it's a bit more directional with the flexible hose/nozzle arrangement)...
Hi TMF, I wash the motorbike once a week do I need every time to spray the chain with lubricant after spraying the bike or do it when it is needes a clean up Thanks
Well it wouldn’t do it any harm but personally I just lubricate it when it looks like it needs it - certainly not every wash (not on this bike at all of course...)
...I don't do anything special other than use the soapy water and then make sure it's good and dry with the blower, so far so good! Thanks for watching once again - TMF
Thanks for the video. Do you do anything special regarding the chain in terms of washing or drying? For example, would you re-lube the chain after washing? Would you use your dryer machine to dry the chain through after washing? Thanks
@@TheMissendenFlyer oh yeah, sorry, I know - I just meant in general terms. I’m harvesting a lot of tips from this to prep for cleaning my own chain-driven bike and just wondering if you would pay any special attention to the chain specifically after washing the bike. For context, I would normally service and lube the chain separately from washing it, which I do less often (trying to change my ways!) but would you recommend servicing the chain and re-lubing after a wash?
A leaf blower is a good drying machine, or just take the bike for a ride! If you are not riding all the time GT85 can be a good cheaper alternative to ACF50, it also leaves a protective coating behind (PTFE Teflon). Also if just touching up the bike you can get good cheap waterless wash spray bottles.
+kyndryd spyryt Yes I meant to add a bit about in-between washes but forgot - I use a Meguires touch up type spray....(+ I must check out GT85 as ACF50 is flippin' expensive)
+TheMissendenFlyer there's muck off motorcycle protectant spray I use that's good as well. Not too expensive lasts ages it's got a slight colour to it so you can see where you spray it but it dries clear and it smells ace. You can get it at halfords
Hey there, I noticed you filled up the exhaust with an old chamois, do you take any other precautions? I've heard people do things like cover the ignition key hole... Jaznit
Just a quick warning for other BMW owners (I am one) don't use Muc-off. If you have any paint warranty issues you will have a hell of a time claiming if they find out you have been using it...warranty canceller. Just saying....love your reviews BTW
+bassmandudge I've heard this said before - very strange! I've never had an issue using it - but then I don't let it stay on the bike for very long before rinsing off. When I next go to my local dealer I will ask them about this.....thanks for commenting and for the kind words - all the best - TMF
Hi TMF. Great channel! I'm quite new to motorcycling. I have a Matt green finish on my tank and I'm not sure how best to clean it. Any suggestions? Heard comments around avoiding rubbing it with a sponge / cloth etc. I've been avoiding rain, although the lovely UK weather caught me out last week!
have trouble with the gold rims after a tour on a GS1250 - hard to get it. ALL off !! any ideas ...? ex Motorad Tour to Highlands - quite a dirty bike !!
I'm surprised you haven't applied any wax coating to the paintwork or do you deem it not necessary? Have to say I shall be investing in the ACF 50 as I live on the coast I would imagine it will help repel the salty air.
I do sometimes apply wax to my Ducati and Triumph (as they have metal tanks) - I feel a bit odd about applying it to plastic tanks though (like the BMW)....
Not sure how bleedingly obviously stupid this might be but, if a shampoo has wax in it, will the wax not prevent the ACF-50 doing it's work on the surfaces? I mean, wont there be a layer of wax on the bike and so then all you're doing is giving the WAX a coat of ACF-50? I went looking on line for ACF-50, when I first heard of it, but could only find sun screen products. I got properly ticked off and thought 'f..k this for a game of soldiers', 'I'll just use something else'. Then I remembered, I am a bit dyslexic and had got SPF-50 mixed up with ACF-50.
@TheMissendenFlyer Do you lube your chain after each time you clean the bike like this? Or doesn't the chain lubricant doesn't get affected by the cleaning? Thanks
+jmcphee7 Hey Jmcphee7 - This one was especially for you! ...to be fair there isn't much difference between my car and bike regime, two buckets is the key if you want to keep your paint work shining! Cheers....
+jmcphee7 Hey Jmcphee7 - This one was especially for you! ...to be fair there isn't much difference between my car and bike regime, two buckets is the key if you want to keep your paint work shining! Cheers....
I quite honestly have no idea Maurice - unlike some European countries (I'm thinking Germany) we don't have any rules about where and when you can wash your vehicle, so one assumes it's not an issue....but an interesting thought/debate! Thanks for watching - TMF
I actually snorted when you said, "We all like to ride something that looks attractive." Well done hahahaha
+Rachel Bowman (Wolvkey) .....an accurate statement I think you'll find.... :0)
needs to be a T shirt lol
I'm not that fussy, I'll ride anything that goes well!
@@moiramciver2481 😂😂
Each to their own, hence the variety of bikes & styles. Personally I have no interest in american cruisers, choppers or low-riders, but there's obviously a big market for them, especially those of my age or older (I'm 60+).
Neither do I want a 'rat bike' but again there are those who love them.
Whatever you ride is your choice and so is how much time and attention you want to spend on appearance.
However, taking the time to clean your bike / bikes (which I'm not always the most scrupulous with) does mean you're inspecting the bike(s) and the time used to find anything that needs maintenance or repairing.
From recent personal experience, I was about to go out on a ride a couple of weeks ago so was cleaning and checking my Honda VFR800 when I found half a Stanley knife blade embedded in my rear tyre tread. No loss of pressure but I could just see the carcass weave so it had penetrated the entire depth of the rubber carcass.
That was annoying as the tyre (Bridgestone T31) was less than 1000 miles old and cost me £144 for a new tyre, but possibly could have saved myself injury and server damage to the bike if it had blown out.
This man is literally the most down to earth gentleman I've come across, cheers for all the advice mate!
You’re very welcome! (And thanks for the kind words!)...
I've come back to this one in 2021 and am impressed at your current (2021) maturity as a presenter. In 2021 your "pace" seems more effective in that the presentation in both speech and scene cuts has much better flow. You've become more apparently fit (all those salads I suppose) and your movements lend themselves to vlogging. Well done! And, of course, great advice on bike cleaning!
Wow thank you very much! Practice helps clearly!!
I use the pet dryer option on my bike! It has an on/off gentle heater and adjustable speed dial. Cheaper than a "motorcycle dryers" online.
Yep, that's the way I do it. Only difference is I have an air compressor anyway and use that to get the water out of the nooks and crannies. I also use a ptfe based product once the bike is dry as a water repellent in those nooks and crannies. Not every wash, but absolutely before winter riding. And for those wanting to bring the plastic bits, especially black bits, back to life, silicon lube is brilliant. Look for PME or similar product, wife uses it on her TVR too. Cleaning your bike is not just about keeping it pretty. It also gives you a heads up on things that need attention to keep you safe. Good video, thanks for sharing.
One piece of advice I would add is to always use light pressure (if any pressure at all) while washing with the wash mitt and during drying with a towel. This helps keeps swirl marks to a minimum.
I also use an electric leaf blower for drying and it's a great time saver. Does a fine job of getting water out from between cooling fins, radiators and hard to reach places.
+echanos Agreed - good advice!
I know a cheaper "bike dryer", a good blast down the road. ;)
+RevvedUpBiker That'll work....but try to avoid any muddy puddles! :0)
+RevvedUpBiker
Nice One
+RevvedUpBiker I use a gas-powered leaf blower.
+yodabolt I am too use leaf blower for my cars and bike.👍👍
Same here mate the engine heat does the trick.
Brilliant video, very informative as a new biker it is great to see how others clean their bikes and protect against the elements especially at winter time.. Keep up the series of garage vids!!!!
+Sean Thompson Thanks Sean - I'm glad you're finding my efforts of interest! Thanks for stopping by and saying so...all the best - TMF
I don't let my bike get too dirty i.e. quick wash using muc off as soon as I get home or a day or so later.
BUT, just got back from a very rainy Ireland and s week of crud on my bike. Used muc off twice and it just wouldn't budge the ingrained dirt no matter how much I rinsed, even with two goes.
It came down to loads of car wash detergent and elbow grease.
Muc off can 'uc off and being using it for years.
We all like to ride something that looks attractive. Personally after a few pints I'm not overly fussed. You did well keeping a straight face after that statement. 😂
+dave80h I'm so glad you spotted that.... :0)
There's definitely a job waiting for you on QVC :-). I can just imagine you presenting those miracle cleaning products and speaking to June from Basildon. "Hello June. Tell us why you love today's special value - the GrungnBlast?" "Oh, well I use it everywhere. It gets into all the nooks and crannies you know. I don't know how I ever lived without it." :-))
+gadgetsandwheels Actually I could do with a job - will you put a word in for me??
+TheMissendenFlyer I don't think they could afford you. :-)
The cleaner from muc off is alkaline- is it true that its bad for your bike? Read that somewhere on the web. Thanks!
Kärcher saves the day. If you put your bike away over winter wipe over your engine, fairing parts and plastic control housings on the handlebar with pure silicone oil using a cotton cloth. Your bike will look like brand new in the spring. Remnants of bugs can be wiped off with Motul Wash and Wax. That's also good for cleaning the rims and getting rid of all the oil and grease from the chain. On all parts be careful and only use a very soft cotton cloth. Todays plastic parts can be scratched so easily...
A man after my own heart, some say OCD. I say respect for your purchases great video
Thank you for the how-to. I've always been reluctant to clean bikes for fear of not properly doing it. The dryer tip was brilliant. I used my shop vac with the hose on the blower end. Worked like a charm! Cheers.
+Zach Lomas Glad to be of service Zach!
When snow foaming , the IK foam pro 2 is a very good device for motorbikes, as it removes the need for a pressure washer, and the additional risks that brings of course. We have been using this along with the Alpha Bikes Sub zero snow foam, and works fantastically.
Good tip - thank you!
I used to use a leaf blower but it was very cumbersome so I've now got the Hog Blaster warm air dryer. I haven't used it yet but it does sit well in the hand unlike the leaf blower.
I also buy the cleaning products in bulk, usually 20Ltrs at a time as well as distilled water and white vinegar (for flushing the cooling system)
I get my bulk bags of microfibre cloths from Screwfix (50 in a bag) and they are very good too.
Having said this I still should clean my bikes more often :)
+Hepcat Harley I never thought of using my leaf blower - but I tend to agree, it is a little cumbersome (maybe I'll use on the car!!).....thanks for stopping by HH, good to hear from you again my friend!
It has to be a new leaf blower or you'll be using something akin to a sandblaster...not good :)
The two bucket method - I am going to use that! I'm actually cringing now thinking about how many times i've dipped the cleaning mitt back into the (increasingly) murky water. Nice tip!
+WeNeedASaga You'll be surprised how dirty the "rinse" bucket gets, and I suspect you won't turn back to the "one bucket" method again!!! :0) Cheers for watching - all the best - TMF
here in the US I use the good old leaf blower VS the little vacuum
Just a note
Thanks good video many gents fear getting the beast wet ! a good cleaning is the best .
Thanks for the kind comments Last Chance - cheers for watching and for stopping by - TMF
I know I'm 4 years late to this thread but I've finally got around to buying a Bruhl motorbike dryer on your recommendation. Great piece of kit. All I need now is a relaxation of the current lockdown in order to actually get my bike dirty enough to need a clean!
good video,, I only used muckoff once couple of yrs ago,, and seemed to think my switch gear on the handlebars went from black to a light grey,, followed the destructions ,,but didn't agree with the plastics ,,never used since anyhow take care shane bring on the summer ,,,goodwood festival booked up ,,,
That's interesting, I've never had an issue with it but can see why that would put you off! Yes Goodwood is an excellent event isn't it, roll on Summer for more of these sort of do's. Good to hear from you again, thanks for sticking with me - TMF
I will stick with you till the end,,,clear well presented straight to thee point good videos well worth watching ,,,,what more can some one ask for
+shaneweightman Wow, thanks very much...
Every rider has his own preferred method of cleaning, those that actually clean them that is! I don't use Muc Off as it's way overpriced IMO, there are other products I think are as good and much cheaper. The most important thing is to use plenty of water, as you do, to rinse away the dislodged dirt and grime. I've used compressed air from a compressor for years for the drying stage but just bought one of the bike/pet dryers, very similar to yours. Not actually used it yet so looking forward to the next wash day!
another Muc Off product that is great is the Motorcycle Protective Spray. I call it "New bike in a can'" as it leaves the bike with that wet look and it is also a water dispersant. Again, expensive but well worth it.
Excellent work, Chief, very thorough and of course all your machines are a credit to your cleaning regime! 👍🏻
Well I took your advice and bought a Blaster Side Kick dryer (on Amazon). It's one of those things you know you can live without but once you use it......you're hooked. Sure made drying the bike must easier and so much quicker. Then I applied the ACF 50. End results are outstanding. Thanks for the tips/demo's.
Brilliant - glad you found my video of use!
Excellent Video
For those of us on a Budget I use my £50 Wet & Dry 20l Vacmaster on Blow to Dry my Bike
after running for a time the air blowing out is quite warm. Not as efficient as your blower but is is quite effective.
+Bob Fisher Good one Bob - thanks for sharing!
You really should be on the TV, excellent presentation skills, you should have applied for the vacancy at Top Gear, lol.
I also use my leaf blower, it does a great job and being two stroke it sounds great, though I'm not sure our neighbour would agree, lol.
Microfibre cloths are really useful and they can be washed in the machine, saves throwing them away and they come out like brand new.
A good tip for the summer months for getting rid of bugs on the motorcycle screens(fairing panel and helmet visor), run a microfibre cloth under the hot tap, ring out the excess and just drape it over the
bike screen for two or three mins, it rehydrates the dead bugs and they wipe off really easily, no vigorous harmful scrubbing required, saves the polished paintwork.
cheers
tony
+antonoat Thanks for the kind words as ever Tony - yes that trick for the bugs in Summer is a good one, I have been known to drape the whole of the front of the bike with damp towels to shift a particularly heavy crop! Cheers.....
Thanks for this video, which I watched a while ago. I haven't invested in a dryer like yours because I usually go for a "spin dry", but recently it's been a bit damp and mucky so I have taken to drying my bikes off with my leaf blower. I was surprised how much water came running out of the nooks and crannies! Thanks again for suggesting the blow dry technique.
I'm master of the blow dry, and in fact many advanced hair dressing techniques.....
The 'Two Bucket Method' is a fantastic idea, proper real common sense. I wish I knew about that years ago!
Works for me!
It reminds me of years ago, when the woman at the family planning clinic recommended we use the 'Rhythm Method'. That didn't work, as I had trouble getting a band together! lol. :-D
Boom boom!
I have two lightweight residential use leaf blowers - one electric and the other a Stihl petrol - both handy in terms of no cables and power. If anyone has something similar to start with, maybe see if it works as well for you as it does me for my cars and bike. But if you don't the warm air master blaster seems a worthwhile investment.
+Richard Dunn :0)
Ive used muc off for years but it's a convenience cleaner when you can't be arsed getting a sponge out. For a good clean muc off doesn't work any better than a sponge, good bike detergent and a bit of elbow grease. A good spray of gunk on the stubborn stuff is good too but messy, but what the hell.
+markmywords312 Yeah I agree, I just use it as an initial spray over to loosen the stubborn stuff and get rid of the majority of muck before I set to work with the sponge - in reality you're probably right, I could just get on with it with the sponge but somehow I at least feel like I'm doing a more thorough job with this initial step.....works for me anyway! Thanks for stopping by by, all the best - TMF
Catching up on some of your presentation through the lockdown. Keeping me sane 😀
From bike drying standpoint I just switch the hose on my Shop Vac from the intact side to the exhaust side - it' not heated but it works pretty darn well..
I've been cleaning my bikes in a similar manner, with the exception of the 'snow foam', so I went and bought one. I'm not sure on it's effectiveness as yet, perhaps I'm not letting it sit long enough. I quite enjoy keeping the bikes sparkly too.
Yes the snow foam is probably overkill and I don't always use it - I tend to only snow foam if (a) I'm doing the car with it anyway or (b) the bike is particularly cruddy (which is rare as I don't tend to let them sit dirty for long....stresses me out!)....I have to say I'm not sold on it's effectiveness either but I like to think it gets into nooks and crannies I wouldn't otherwise reach....
Just watched you video on how to apply ACF50 and then the how to clean your bike video - both very good. Now you know that orange compressor tool that didn’t work for the ACF50 is fantastic for applying the pink Muc-Off. you will find that yiu use about 50% less Muc-Off and will get great penetration using the compressor. I set my to about 20psi so fairly low pressure and it works a treat really putting the Muc Off in those hard to reach places
Cheers
Great idea - thanks for the tip!
You might also want to clean the paint and protect it at the same time Meguire's makes a fantastic product for that called CAR CLEANER WAX since you like their products already, easy on easy off. Leaves a protective film of wax against scratches and other nasties. If you want to really be anal about it, you can finish up with a proper coat of Carnauba wax , again Meguire's makes a good one, so does Mothers and eagle one and sonax etc.
Thanks great vid. I’m a newbie and passed my DAS a couple of weeks ago, waiting for my 1st bike to be delivered (Red Tracer 7GT) and looking for tips on bike cleaning. What would you recommend for maintaining the shine on the cylinder/exhaust pipes? Is there a way to eliminate the ‘blueing’? Thanks Si
Autosol is my fave metal cleaner/polish…
I don't even have a bike, but I still watch all your videos. One day this will be useful I'm sure ! Either way, great video's and great channel. Cheers!
+Karl Toth That's very kind of you to say Karl, thanks (now go get a bike, you're missing out, seriously....)
Hi back on 2 wheels after 30 years , I really appreciate your guidance. My new purchase now has ACF50 on it , now if I take it out for a ride on these salty roads and then want to wash It ,will muc off take the ACF50 off ? What do u suggest please ?
Yes - I tend to avoid muc off these days and use S-Doc or autoglym bike cleaner.....MucOff contains a lot of salt apparently...
Thanks I will go with your advice 👍
I know you did, very welcome comment. It seems if you put it on and get distracted come back 30 or 40 mins later damage done. I have seen an engine here in Belfast and not pretty, Fairy liquid is hard to beat !!
Right sadly Fairy liquid has salts which are harsh on metal and plastic. You need a product that is PH neutral. You won't think Fairy Liquid damages your bike on first, second or even third wash. However, over a number of washes you will begin to see how much its stripped and damaged your paint work. I speak from experience, I foolishly used it for 10 years and could never understand why my bike(s) looked less than youthful despise all my hard work. After all, Fairy Liquid should be soft on hands, and that's how it's always been branded. I've switched to PH neutral products and my current bike always looks in showroom condition.
....I'm with the_whisperer here, Fairy liquid is THE LAST thing I'd put near my bikes or cars (or hands for that matter!)......
I can vouch for the pink mucoff stuff, I buy it by the 10 litres and it lasts for a good while. I find just the mucoff wash is enough though, but do use the mucoff bike spray in the black bottle afterwards. It's a good water repellant, leaves a protective barrier and the bike showroom shiny, it smells nice as a bonus.
+Ben 1022 A winner all round! I'll check that out, might be a cheaper alternative to the ACF50....thanks for stopping by, all the best - TMF
I'm installing the Sound Bomb this next week. Will let you know how it goes. Biggest challenge is finding the right place to put it.
HI TMF, I found a pet air blower on amazon and was surprised how much cheaper it was compared to a 'bike' blower, also would recommend using ear plugs when using it. love the 2 bucket method
Yes the are noisy bits of kit (I wear ear plugs when using my "bike" dryer) - I wonder if the power output is the same...I bet it is!
Hi, could you come round next Saturday about noon to do my GS please?
can I ask where you got the information that muc off cleaner contains salt? I use it a lot and wasn't aware of this. ive done some research and I cant find any information on it containing salt. I did email muc off to ask them but they never replied.
...well it's a rumour at least that circulates the various forums, I like the stuff but many people claim (apparently some dealers included) that it does harm to your bike long term - all I can say is it's never harmed mine!!
TheMissendenFlyer no mine neither and I've used it for years. salts generally used as a wetting agent and softener in a lot of detergent. but reputable automotive cleaners generally don't for obvious reason. just suspicious that muc off never replied to my email. good video by the way!
As a quick wax id highly recommend Muc-Off speed polish. A quick spray all over, 2 microfiber cloths and the result is top notch. It takes less than 5 minutes, and if your bike is looking dull rather than dirty its ideal, cheap, and one can is good for a dozen waxes.
...so, quite sometime ago a Bosch (Fuel Injection) Specialist (and friend) once told me that they (So Cal based Bosch) discovered that using Simple Green was the best cleaning foundation on a warm car or motorcycle because it did not dry out any of the hoses, belts, vinyl or any other soft item on a motor vehicle... In your scenario, SG would replace the McGuires, probably costing about the same though Not smelling nearly as good, of course... As I remember it, the key was applying to a warmed up vehicle, not hot, mind you but just warmed a little... His bikes (he was a motorcycle drag racer) and his cars were nearly always immaculate. As to the rest of the process, he used similar modalities... Appreciate your singular and idealistic viewpoint on all things motorcycle!
Thank you! (I don't think we get Simple Green here in the UK)...
...ah, well, that would be an issue - I wonder why not since it is supposed to be very safe, non-toxic and utterly bio-degradable, even safe for septic systems?
...I just checked, you can get it in the UK - just not something I've come across or heard of before...cheers - TMF
...I understand - it was all the rage here back in the 90's but places like Costco still carry larger sizes such as gallons with spray bottle attached - still smells lousy but they even tried to address that with a new fragrance... Anyway, for me it was, quite simply, the need to clean and yet not cause degradation in any soft material such as hoses, belts and vinyl...
Glad you liked our detailing video enough to use a Snowfoam still! Good video
+Birotar UK Aha, thanks for that - now duly credited in the description box! (I Googled and that picture came up - apols for not asking to use it first)....thanks for stopping by - TMF
+TheMissendenFlyer Thanks! That was a genuine nice video by the way! Was recommended to view and only just noticed the old ninja!
+Birotar UK ....funny how these things work out isn't it......thanks for the kind words and glad you liked the video! All the best - TMF
Great video. My only question is don't you end up using loads more muc off by wetting the bike first? I always start with muc off on the motor, radiator, and cycle parts, wait for it to work, and then rinse it off with hot water. I then rinse down the whole bike with cold water, and get to work on the paintwork etc with car wash afterwards.
Whatever works for you John!
I watched the vid, and took it as my guide as I deep cleaned my Street Triple today, thanks for the tips! I don't have a drier, but a 'spin dry' ride out seems like a perfect excuse to me ;-)
Meant to mention, I also cleaned the chain at the same time - my first time cleaning a chain, and I always thought chain needed to be removed, and soaked or something. However used WD40 chain cleaning spray (brilliant!) and an Oxford Products brush (both from Halfords) and they made cleaning the chain while it was on the bike really easy, and actually, quite satisfying. It came up a treat!
Glad it was a success! You'll now get the cleaning OCD bug and spend more time cleaning than riding!
Now going to re-watch your vid on justifying multiple bikes ;-)
Great video as always. Not really a biker question but you mentioned that you use the same products with your cars. What cars do you have?
+hashith shah Thanks - I'd rather not say as they could identify me - sorry about that.....
+TheMissendenFlyer no problem lol. You have a great selection of bikes and I bet your car collection is equally fantastic.
Thanks TMF another great video, you it's obvious stuff but your acf50 video is I think the most explanatory on the web. One question for you - I have read that muck off strips off the acf50 ? I'd not great. Do you find this or not? And if not what do you use to remove the acf50 when dirt sticks to it? Thanks again, keep up the video work.
+Rob Smith Thanks Rob - I find the ACF50 does visibly get removed when you wash the bike anyway (although they claim a thin layer is molecularly [is that a word] left) hence why I re-apply it through winter, I don't find the Muc-off removes it in particular but I'm sure it helps!!
Cracking Vid as always. I'm about to attack the sv650 this morning as we have a sniff of Cornish sun. Amazing how many more bikes come out in March! But then, I'd tuck mine away for the winter too if I could. All the best.
+footprint studio Thanks for the kind comments - hope that sun shows itself (pretty grim here in the South East this morning......unlike yesterday that was glorious). All the best - TMF
Should you cover the exhaust with a towel or something just like you've done when washing the bike. Thanks
I don't think so no....
Very similar cleaning regime to mine. I wash my bike every time I ride which gets me some ridicule from my mates. Like you, I use muc off, acf 50 but I use autoglm wash and muc off uber wax for a final shine and protective coat. Muc off protectant spray is also very good for driving out moisture and brings black plastic and trim up nice aswell. The only thing I have struggled to find a good cleaning method for, is the satin finish on my zx10.
+Paul Davis ...ignore the ridicule, they're just envious of your immaculate bike!
👍
Very good videos. Looking at the reg plates on your bikes on the video and was wondering what reg size they are as I have a yam mt07 with standard reg size absolutely massive lol
It's slightyl smaller than standard - but not by much - can't remember what size off the top of my head (sorry!)...
I use a waterless wash for my bike, spray on, wipe off, buff. I think Missenden Flyer is going a bit overboard with his cleaning. His way would be good for an off road ridden bike though, but overkill for a road bike.
You might want to look into putting a paint coating on, such as Modesta.
+Boodieman72 I have an in built horror of "water less" washing systems, to my mind they are a dead-cert to paint swirls but if it works for you..... :0) Cheers for watching and stopping by once again..TMF
I use Chemical Guys Eco-Smart. If you are worried about swirls, apply a paint coating. My favorite is Modesta, but its expensive. I am subscribed of course.
I use a black and decker leaf blower works just fine
Man I love your puns hahahahaha
Also don't know if you have ever noticed, but when you purchase microfibre towels or washmitts they usually contain a tag stating what the product is made of and its care instructions.
I always rip/cut them off. I've noticed if you rub that tag on any paintwork it will cause noticable swirls/spiderwebs/scratching on the finish.
+JkandI Yes good point on the microfibers, I rip those off too!! Great minds think alike......cheers for stopping by, TMF.
Motorbike touring
Hey Mate, love the way you are so particular. Great garage! I am enjoying your vids and learning a lot. Gidday from South Australia.
G'day Harry - glad you're enjoying my videos, good to have you along! Which bit of Aus are you in?? Would love to visit there some day but you're sooooo far away.....
We live in South Australia, Mannum by the Murray river. You and your wife have a place to stay if you come down under!
We live in South Australia, Mannum by the Murray river. You and your wife have a place to stay if you come down under!
Quick question I live in New Zealand but used to live very close to Great Missenden ( Hazlemere)…can I assume you live in Missenden I try to spot some of your test routes……thanks
Indeed you can….
I'm so glad you've made this video. Do you have any tips for cleaning chains? I have one of those chain brushes and that Silkolene chain cleaner but it doesn't seem to work. My bike is immaculate but the chain lets it down. Thanks in advance.
+atobpilot Sure thing - see >> ua-cam.com/video/MyCiDqharJY/v-deo.html and >> ua-cam.com/video/qff_9ie3pnE/v-deo.html ...enjoy!
+TheMissendenFlyer I can't believe I forgot about that video, I commented aswell lol. Thanks
Earned yourself a subscriber!
Good videos and informative channel!
Also nice collection of bikes, picking just the best for touring, sports, street, cross :)
I like it!
Thank you Johannes and welcome along....what kept you ;0) ...oh, and thanks for the sub!
Thanks for the info 👍. Interesting to see how somebody else goes about something that is an essential all be a chore of a job. And I see you have a lot of love for your bikes. Lovely 😍 collection
Thank you!
Brilliant video and videos, passed my test not long back got myself the duke 390 after watching your review. Can I ask how you do the wheels as I'm scared of scratching the paint off them. The wheel brushes seem very abbrasive. Thanks and safe riding.
I treat them the same as the rest of the bike, use some pre-wash then rinse and use a bug shifter covered in soapy water....the key is the "2 bucket method".....
Dear Andy one more doubt .are you cleaning the chain after drying the bike or before starting the body wash
No chain on the GS!
@@TheMissendenFlyer dear Andy my bike is BMW G310GS which runs on chain drive ..pls advise when I should clean the chain before or after drying the bike
good vid , just sold my cbr 600 for a street triple , not so easy to clean without all the plastic around the engine .
do you not need to polish the paint work ?
+mark smith I sometimes polish the Street Triple tank with Meguire's polish but not the CRF or BMW as they are plastic.....depends on my mood really!!!
Thanks for that. Got a few useful tips from that. I have quite a lot of chrome and brushed aluminium on my bike any tips for cleaning those?
Carefully! Just make sure you use proper chrome cleaner obviously, nothing with abrasives in....
ok,carefully is noted. thanks
Bloody excellent!!! There are so many differing views on washing bikes but your vid offers solid logical practical tips. Thank you ever so much. And I love the way you sign off your videos. Cheerio. 😁👍👍
I'm again, and once again very educative video, I'm also like my byke clean and I do it my self. I'm using different brand of products but the some result, good point use 2 buckets. I have a power washer that I can reduce the power and to rinse I have a compresor. cheers
That'll work! Cheers Omar...
You should get mud-guards for your buckets! Love this video, watch it at least once a year!
Good man, you have great taste!
Dear Andy do you still favour using muc off on BMW bikes. The local dealer advised that BMW doesnt recommend muc off..is that true
No I use S100 these days....
@@TheMissendenFlyer ok thanks Andy ..
This might seem a silly question but would a leaf blower used carefully do the same job as your heated blower.
It would certainly go some way - the bike dryer though has a built in heater and the hot air makes a real difference (plus it's a bit more directional with the flexible hose/nozzle arrangement)...
Is there any product you use for the wheels? Or just shampoo again? And muc off?
Hi TMF, I wash the motorbike once a week do I need every time to spray the chain with lubricant after spraying the bike or do it when it is needes a clean up
Thanks
Well it wouldn’t do it any harm but personally I just lubricate it when it looks like it needs it - certainly not every wash (not on this bike at all of course...)
Any tips for how to best clean the seat? I certainly don't want to use anything that would make my GSA seat slippery. Thanks in advance, Jay.
...I don't do anything special other than use the soapy water and then make sure it's good and dry with the blower, so far so good! Thanks for watching once again - TMF
Great Video TMF. I think it’s my second watch of this one. Couldn’t remember how the double bucket system went 😂
It's not that hard is it Richard!!
TheMissendenFlyer maybe for me 😂
Thanks for the video. Do you do anything special regarding the chain in terms of washing or drying? For example, would you re-lube the chain after washing? Would you use your dryer machine to dry the chain through after washing? Thanks
No chain on this bike!
@@TheMissendenFlyer oh yeah, sorry, I know - I just meant in general terms. I’m harvesting a lot of tips from this to prep for cleaning my own chain-driven bike and just wondering if you would pay any special attention to the chain specifically after washing the bike.
For context, I would normally service and lube the chain separately from washing it, which I do less often (trying to change my ways!) but would you recommend servicing the chain and re-lubing after a wash?
I don’t do anything special with chains after a wash - I tend to clean and lube them separately (that’s just me though)….
Do you need to dry the bike with a cloth if you’re using a dryer ? (Just dried mine with just dryer and seems to work great)
No, I just use the dryer, sometimes I use a cloth to catch any final runs but in the main, just the dryer....
Great video. Just wondering if you use a specific product for cleaning your wheels?
Autoglym wheel cleaner and protector - brilliant stuff....
You are my cleaning guru. Thanks. i have a shiny new MT-07. Need to keep those wheels clean!
Love your videos. I have '14 R1200GS. Have you considered installing a Denali "split" Sound Bomb and show the installation? Would love to see it !!!
I have thought about it but not got to it yet - if I do, I'm sure there'll be a video!
I'm installing the Sound Bomb this next week. Will let you know how it
goes. Biggest challenge is finding the right place to stick it.
A leaf blower is a good drying machine, or just take the bike for a ride!
If you are not riding all the time GT85 can be a good cheaper alternative to ACF50, it also leaves a protective coating behind (PTFE Teflon).
Also if just touching up the bike you can get good cheap waterless wash spray bottles.
+kyndryd spyryt Yes I meant to add a bit about in-between washes but forgot - I use a Meguires touch up type spray....(+ I must check out GT85 as ACF50 is flippin' expensive)
+TheMissendenFlyer there's muck off motorcycle protectant spray I use that's good as well. Not too expensive lasts ages it's got a slight colour to it so you can see where you spray it but it dries clear and it smells ace. You can get it at halfords
Do you spay muc off at the radiator at the front of the bike ??? Thanks
This is really helpful. I would like to ask about your thoughts on waxing though.
Well I don't tend to bother on this bike as it's basically plastic, on the others with metal tanks I just use a good quality beeswax (Autoglym)
Hey there, I noticed you filled up the exhaust with an old chamois, do you take any other precautions? I've heard people do things like cover the ignition key hole... Jaznit
No I don't - I don't even always cover the exhaust, just if I happen to remember, getting loads of water down there can't be a good thing!
Thanks for the reply.
we had this in the cycling industry, MUC Off have said countless times they don't use salt in their products. could be wrong, but I believe its true.
Hi TMF , Brill vid ! What size Reg plate have you gone for on the CRF ? I'm looking at a smaller one, but don't want to go too small. Thanks
+k7lco I think I went for 7x5 - smaller than is strictly legal but not so small that you can't reasonably read it at distance....
+TheMissendenFlyer Cheers TMF !
Just a quick warning for other BMW owners (I am one) don't use Muc-off. If you have any paint warranty issues you will have a hell of a time claiming if they find out you have been using it...warranty canceller. Just saying....love your reviews BTW
+bassmandudge I've heard this said before - very strange! I've never had an issue using it - but then I don't let it stay on the bike for very long before rinsing off. When I next go to my local dealer I will ask them about this.....thanks for commenting and for the kind words - all the best - TMF
+TheMissendenFlyer Sent you a message...
Hi TMF. Great channel! I'm quite new to motorcycling. I have a Matt green finish on my tank and I'm not sure how best to clean it. Any suggestions? Heard comments around avoiding rubbing it with a sponge / cloth etc. I've been avoiding rain, although the lovely UK weather caught me out last week!
You shouldn’t need to treat it any different to any other colour, just use proper automotive products (not washing up liquid!) and all should be well!
TheMissendenFlyer ok thanks. It's the triumph Street scrambler green tank so want to look after it the best I can.
Lovely colour for that bike! Enjoy....
How come you use Muc-Off as well as the shampoo? Is it worth using both, or would using either or be enough for a good clean?
Just belt n braces to try and get into all the nooks...
TheMissendenFlyer haha fair enough. Do u ever remove the fairings/panels and seat when doing a very thorough clean to get to the hard to reach places?
Will muc off get rid of all the chain grease that sprays everywhere and brake dust?
Depends how much there is of it - not as good as a proper degreaser in that respect....
have trouble with the gold rims after a tour on a GS1250 - hard to get it. ALL off !! any ideas ...? ex Motorad Tour to Highlands - quite a dirty bike !!
SDoc bike cleaner is pretty good….
I'm surprised you haven't applied any wax coating to the paintwork or do you deem it not necessary? Have to say I shall be investing in the ACF 50 as I live on the coast I would imagine it will help repel the salty air.
I do sometimes apply wax to my Ducati and Triumph (as they have metal tanks) - I feel a bit odd about applying it to plastic tanks though (like the BMW)....
Not sure how bleedingly obviously stupid this might be but, if a shampoo has wax in it, will the wax not prevent the ACF-50 doing it's work on the surfaces? I mean, wont there be a layer of wax on the bike and so then all you're doing is giving the WAX a coat of ACF-50?
I went looking on line for ACF-50, when I first heard of it, but could only find sun screen products. I got properly ticked off and thought 'f..k this for a game of soldiers', 'I'll just use something else'. Then I remembered, I am a bit dyslexic and had got SPF-50 mixed up with ACF-50.
Doing the goxxer this weekend it's going to be messy and probably not run again
@TheMissendenFlyer Do you lube your chain after each time you clean the bike like this? Or doesn't the chain lubricant doesn't get affected by the cleaning? Thanks
No not every time although technically I probably should...no problems so far though....
TheMissendenFlyer Thanks
Excellent this. I'm new to it all so no egg sucking. I'm aware of in depth cleaning methods of cars but I wasn't sure of bikes.
+jmcphee7 Hey Jmcphee7 - This one was especially for you! ...to be fair there isn't much difference between my car and bike regime, two buckets is the key if you want to keep your paint work shining! Cheers....
+jmcphee7 Hey Jmcphee7 - This one was especially for you! ...to be fair there isn't much difference between my car and bike regime, two buckets is the key if you want to keep your paint work shining! Cheers....
+TheMissendenFlyer Yes indeed, I appreciated the mention!
Any recommendations for keeping the seat nice and dark.
Are any of the soapy products biodegradable, since they are being rinsed off and end in the environment (nearby streams and groundwater) ?
I quite honestly have no idea Maurice - unlike some European countries (I'm thinking Germany) we don't have any rules about where and when you can wash your vehicle, so one assumes it's not an issue....but an interesting thought/debate! Thanks for watching - TMF
After cleaning, do you have to lube / grease anything other that the chain? Thanks
No chain on the GS :0)
TheMissendenFlyer no no :p I ment in general :)