cleaning bike?

This being my first post here, I did use the search function to look for similar posts, but was unsuccessful.

So...How does everyone clean their bikes? Remove panels and clean separate? Products used? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Just clean it like you would any other bike. I only wash my bikes once a year. Then just wipe it down with a cleaner if it gets too many bugs on it. The paint on the Panigale is very thin and weak. Expect a lot of fine scratches no matter how you clean it.

Try plexus works well for cleaning .

Make sure you don't spray water directly at or too near to the dash.
Ignor this advise at your own peril.

I dust things like the display with a microfiber.
I use microfiber and Honda Polish on the paint.
I use Simple Green and then Honda Polish on the wheels (with a microfiber).
I throw away the microfibers after each use.

very simple. original bike spirits spray cleaner and polish. this is the original formula honda spray cleaner and polish (aka honda bright) before honda went with a different formula caving to the environmentalist. Best stuff on the market. i will never wash a bike again water destroys things.

i found out I really like Motorex SPray and Polish. Every month or so I hit up the painted surfaces with scratchX and unpainted with plastix by McGuire.

I use Motorex spray and polish for quick touch ups. I wouldnt wash the bike a lot because of the thin/weak paint issue. I have had mine for ~6months now, washed it once for a photoshoot and got swirl marks in the paint.

I just got caught in a flash downpour whilst riding home from the dealer. Bike was totally soaked and coated with road grime inside and out.

I don't understand how getting rained on for a prolonged period would be any less harmful for the bike then a tactical water and soap bath for the bike in the driveway. My bike was covered in dried road grime when I got home and taking a microfiber cloth with bike spirits to the paint would undoubtedly create zillions of scratches. Plus it wouldn't clean the bike when covered to the degree it was with dirt.

I assume those that fearing or refusing 'washing' of their bikes must also fear rain, no?

Antihero spent months riding across the country on his Pani. He must've encountered countless storms and rain. Does his bike still work?

I hand wash my bike with a hose about once a month. Soap and microfiber towels to dry and no swirl marks at all. This bike is more robust than you guys think it is.

Very weak clear coat on my bike. Fine scratches everywhere.

Hand wash with plenty of low pressure water. Gentle pressure for hard to reach areas using a cleaner like Motul Motowash to loosen grime. If it aint dirty, don't wash it, washing can affect several things like electricals and remove lubricants from key areas so be selective in the areas you are cleaning. Cars are no different except in the fact that cars have a protective shell over the electricals and are tested for water intrusion from rain by the designers and factory production.

Regarding the paint, never clean it dry unless you must and then, use a light dusting motion with the finest microfiber like those $20 Ducati red towels that they sell (I keep one in the storage compartment in a ziplock. Carry a quick detailer polish like the little Plexus mentioned above. Wax periodically (3 times a year if always out in the sun) with Klasse AIO acrylic based polish/sealant- this is the very best stuff for those who don't have the time to wax every month, and its a hard coating- resists contaminants from embedding into the paint while giving literally a showroom shine. If you are bothered with swirl marks which you already have, then consult a detail shop versed in removing swirls without thinning the paint too much and achieve a fresh start with a showroom swirl free surface and be careful next time you clean.

To avoid washing often, I detail the bike liberally with 303 Speed Detailer- this is the best quick detailer that I have ever used. Its even better than Meguiars Professional, Mothers, and all the other ones, and I've tried them all over the past 15 years. To protect plastics from sun drench/ sunburn, use 303 Aerospace protectant, again the safest sunscreen out there as it does not alter the composition of materials applied to in any way, but you have to apply regularly depending on exposure. Don't use UV protectant on grip parts, however as that may cause slippery surface affecting safety. For those parts you have to suck it up and replace when worn.

Hope this helps- from 23 years experience detailing, and if you are not anal about appearance, these recommendations don't apply to you, just ride and enjoy the ride instead.

huckjai said:

Just clean it like you would any other bike. I only wash my bikes once a year. Then just wipe it down with a cleaner if it gets too many bugs on it. The paint on the Panigale is very thin and weak. Expect a lot of fine scratches no matter how you clean it.

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Mine had scratches and swirls before I even touched it

I use microfibres cloth and Stardust works well

Fisher1199R said:

Mine had scratches and swirls before I even touched it

I use microfibres cloth and Stardust works well

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mine too

ijg5 said:

mine too

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The clear coat is very soft and low quality

is it safe to use products like rain-x on the paint and other surfaces to repel water?

akduc said:

is it safe to use products like rain-x on the paint and other surfaces to repel water?

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Yes, just make sure the surface is free of dust or grime before you apply it in order to avoid creating swirl marks.

I wash it with a hose if it gets really dirty. I use a blaster air dryer to blow the water out of everywhere as well as possible. Then a quick hit with honda polish and it looks brand new.

Too many owners in this thread, not enough riders.

FrostyFire said:

Too many owners in this thread, not enough riders.

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One of your best contributions to date