Bug removers... any suggestions

Toro · Jan 5, 2021

Evening all from a full lockdown London... aka Alcatraz.

Does anyone have a good bug remover they can suggest?

I will be doing a road trip In Europe and need / want something to use the bike at the end of each day to clean away the bugs and allow the Pani to look stunning the next morning.

Any suggestions welcome both for prep pre trip and cleaning during the trip.

Toro and out.

Kev242 · Jan 5, 2021

Honda Spray Cleaner, best thing I learned about when owning a white 959, neither sponge or water has ever been used on my bikes since.

Toro · Jan 5, 2021

Thanks for that... In typical Brexit style we can get that in the UK.

DarR · Jan 5, 2021

Nothing beats a hot water shammy to dissolve the bugs-off.
Use your fav wax /cleaner afterwards like Motul MC CARE™ E9 Wash & Wax Spray which is awesome for glossy paint.
For matte paint, Tirox Matte Plastic Paint polish will not disappoint.

Toro · Jan 5, 2021

Motul looks top quality... had thought about using Pledge Lemon Furniture Polish as saw some good review for after care. Hot water shammy a good idea.

Manicguitarist · Jan 5, 2021

If you are staying in a hotel then simply soak a cloth in water and lay it over the screen/wherever for 5 mins...that will loosen the bugs and they’ll just wipe off.
Personally though, when I do my 1000 mile long weekends I quite like the look of a properly used Ducati.

That said, calling at a bike burger place on the way home last year (Kirkby Lonsdale) another rider on a Ducati did say that my V2 was a disgrace.

Yeah...cos I’d done 500 miles that day and 1100 since I set off from home.

Toro · Jan 5, 2021

Yes I like the idea of wet warm cloth and then wiping off. For the stubborn ones I was thinking of an APC Liquid which I can take in a small 200ml bottle / spray.

Don14R · Jan 5, 2021

DarR said:
Nothing beats a hot water shammy to dissolve the bugs-off.

You ever try the original Honda Pro Polish?

It does NOT say ‘original’ on the can. That’s the new stuff. Still works but not like it did before the government got involved

Water is for making espresso...

cmh210 · Jan 5, 2021

Don14R said:
You ever try the original Honda Pro Polish?

It does NOT say ‘original’ on the can. That’s the new stuff. Still works but not like it did before the government got involved

Water is for making espresso...

If you buy Original bike spirits spray cleaner and polish it is the original Honda formula.

thomasmryan · Jan 6, 2021

pledge is the bomb for cleaning the chain lube sling. the fairings get the hot towel treatment for a few minutes.

Toro · Jan 6, 2021

thomasmryan said:
pledge is the bomb for cleaning the chain lube sling. the fairings get the hot towel treatment for a few minutes.

Have you used pledge on your panigale fairings? Wondering if I need to Pledge the beauty before I leave so the bugs wipe off easier.

vcyclenut · Jan 6, 2021

coming from the land of love bugs. I wet a large towel and lay it on the fairings for a bit and they will wipe right off afterwards. Ive found any of the other methods put small surface scratches in the clear coat

Don14R · Jan 6, 2021

Toro said:
Have you used pledge on your panigale fairings?

Dunno about the bugs wiping off easier after but my buddy swears that stuff adds 2 or 3 mph to your top speed

He’s a lil nutz tho : )

Hard to believe original spirits would not have to comply with regulations and Honda does...

thomasmryan · Jan 6, 2021

i just use pledge to melt the chain lube usually on the bottom of the pillion seat cowl.

Desmo-Duey · Jan 6, 2021

Once you have cleaned up all the bugs maybe consider doing a ceramic coating on the entire bike. It makes a world of difference for future bug guts cleaning, all I use is a simple paint detailer spray on my ceramic coating. The days of scrubbing and soaking of bug guts are long gone with a ceramic coat.

Toro · Jan 7, 2021

Interesting... ceramic coating.... and things just wipe off? Any specific brand you use? I will investigate further

Lockdown lessons

Desmo-Duey · Jan 7, 2021

Toro said:
Interesting... ceramic coating.... and things just wipe off? Any specific brand you use? I will investigate further Lockdown lessons

Bugs, dirt, dust and water don't stick to the paint (compared to not having it coated) once the coating is applied. I used the Avalon King brand ceramic coating on my V2. It's not the best I've ever used but not the worst either, it's very reasonably priced.

Toro · Jan 7, 2021

Desmo-Duey said:
Bugs, dirt, dust and water don't stick to the paint (compared to not having it coated) once the coating is applied. I used the Avalon King brand ceramic coating on my V2. It's not the best I've ever used but not the worst either, it's very reasonably priced.

Did you apply it yourself?

Desmo-Duey · Jan 7, 2021

Toro said:
Did you apply it yourself?

I did, but have previous experience applying it. Although its not super difficult, there are a lot of vids on youtube that show how to apply it if you want to check out the process.

Toro · Jan 8, 2021

Desmo-Duey said:
I did, but have previous experience applying it. Although its not super difficult, there are a lot of vids on youtube that show how to apply it if you want to check out the process.

Seen some videos and it looks easy... then a friend said it’s tricky (he was talking about a car) so he got me worried... looks like wipe on and wipe off... just need to ensure bike is fully cleaned and prepped beforehand.
Do you do much aftercare once applied... or leave for 1 or 2 years and then re apply?Excuse all the questions....

Bug removers... any suggestions

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