Ride or clean? Or both?

[faffi]

I probably do not hit every nuance of cleaning habits, but hopefully it is close enough to get an idea of people's priorities. Here in Norway, Guzzis tend to be quite dirty and well used, very few are treated like queens that only get used on sunny days only to be polished as soon as the engine has cooled off.

[n3303j]

Riding in the rain gets the big chunks.
I'll scrub or pressure wash before doing serious tear down.
Don't want outside dirt falling inside.
While parts are off they get cleaned and the area they covered gets cleaned too.
Main object of dirt removal is to prevent dirt from doing damage and discover problems while removing dirt.

Cleaning is a "mindless" project. But if you are trying to find a solution to an issue and fussing and seeking are getting you nowhere just stop and clean. Forget about the problem and bury yourself in the details of dirt removal. You'll be surprised that once you free your mind from self imposed restraints at how solutions will fall into your hands.

[John A]

It depends on which bike, some I keep cleaner, some I let go , depending on what I rode through!  I mainly clean to keep things from corroding and to look for anything that might fall off. They seem to run a little bit better when they are clean!

[AJ Huff]

I've never washed a bike. I've been contemplating what's available that's waterless. Pretty much I only clean the windshield, and even that's pretty rare.

-AJ

[bigbikerrick]

I rarely wash my bikes.I keep them clean using microfiber towels and a spray detailer. I pretty much clean them before or after every ride, as needed to keep them looking sharp.I dont like to let bugs build up on the windshield, and front of the bike, during "bug season" I also like to concentrate on certain areas, and do a thorough cleaning. this afternoon, I spent about an hour cleaning both Borrani rims on my convert, getting in between the spokes, etc. Once you get it clean, its easier to keep it that way. Yes, I admit, I am OCD. 
I am pretty sure its "therapeutic" for me.
Rick

[Perazzimx14]

I don't mind keeping a clean bike and found that if you keep after it it doesn't take much work. Full on washing is rare usually after getting back from a trip. Usually when I get home I break out the microfiber towel can of Pledge and clean the bug guts off the windscreen and front of the bike. Then quickly wipe down the rest the bike and dun! A couple of minutes at best of a time investment.

[kballowe]

A clean motorcycle is a happy motorcycle !

[Clifton]

I used to keep my bikes clean most of the time. That was when I lived in town but now things are different. Anytime I leave the house I have to ride almost a mile over dirt/gravel roads until I see a paved road. And of course the same when returning.
I often give it a quick spray just to hose the worst of the grit, mud, and and dust off but it's pointless to spend time with a brush and rags.

[mechanicsavant]

S100 & a garden hose on low pressures as needed . Brake pads removed &cleaned about every 5 k Mi. Particularly the underslung rear caliper (who’s idea was that!).

[faffi]

The 2015 MT07 I bought in 2017 with 4k miles on the clock had been cleaned more than ridder. Looked spotless, but every bolt I removed was badly corroded. The 2017 V9 I bought last spring with 2700 miles was primarily washed and polished, and it too have plenty of hidden corrosion from standing water or water ingress, although it is not visible until you start digging. Using "dry" cleaning is probably better for bikes than hosing them down.

[Shorty]

The street bike gets a wipe down once in awhile.  The DR650, not so much. Both bikes are now recreation only, my commuter days are over. In my retirement, I don't enjoy riding in traffic, or in the flatlands, (anywhere north or west of me for many miles) so my need to clean bikes is minimal.

[Huzo]

I’ve seen so many bikes that are spotlessly clean and the owner professes that he “likes to keep it in good condition…”
When you get into it, the oil is old, brake fluid never been changed, pivot points never greased.
Chain virtually dry, swingarm bearings shagged etc.. and just a bastard of a thing to ride.
But stand back and the thing looks like new.
My Norge is (I think), a rationalisation of general tidiness and deep maintenance. It is not spotless, there are some cosmetic marks that have been picked up over the journey(s), but it is stand off tidy.
This is @ just over 200,000 k

[faffi]

Good observation, Huzo!

[Moparnut72]

I checked the twice a year box but that is not quite true. I generally keep my bikes fairly clean but once a year I really go through  everything for a major spiffing. My main bike, now a V100, get the most attention. My V7 is my daily driver so it can get somewhat scroungy at times.

This past summer I was at a Guzzi event. At one point one of the attendees was giving his bike a major going over with all kinds of cleaning stuff. I couldn't help myself and yelled over to him that I thought this was a Guzzi not a Harley event. He is a nice guy so I doubt he was offended. 
kk

[tazio]

Friend of mine had a XS650 Yamaha with slightly extended forks.
He didn't ride much and never washed it. He was sort of a bi-monthly biker dude. Came in to work pissed off because wife and kids detailed his bike for his birthday. I told him "relax man, filth is not the same as patina". He settled down and we both had a good laugh   

[ScepticalScotty]

Breva will be 20 years old in a few weeks - I clean it when I think it needs it. As our facilities are limited, at present i use MucOff bike cleaner, a backpack sprayer for rinsing and wetting, and a decent wash and wax in a bucket with a sponge. All on the front (not very level, hideously muddy at present) lawn. Then maybe 3 or 4 times a year I will polish it. Hoping to get a better drive and front garden in the next 12 months, and a standpipe and then I will be off to the races with better cleaning. My old man was a fanatical cleaner and polisher, every single week whether the car was driven or not. But then again he did build hot rods in his youth. And ride Nortons at antisocial speeds......

[faffi]

A decade or so ago, my brother met an old friend (friend being old) who looked unusually sad. When my brother inquired what it was that bothered him, the friend said said he had let a pal borrow his 60 year old bike, and given it a proper clean as a thank you present. That was a nice gesture, replied my brother. The old chap gave my brother a stern eye and proclaimed: There were flies dating all the way back to 1953 that got lost in that wash!

He had never cleaned the bike before.

[Huzo]

A decade or so ago, my brother met an old friend (friend being old) who looked unusually sad. When my brother inquired what it was that bothered him, the friend said said he had let a pal borrow his 60 year old bike, and given it a proper clean as a thank you present. That was a nice gesture, replied my brother. The old chap gave my brother a stern eye and proclaimed: There were flies dating all the way back to 1953 that got lost in that wash!

He had never cleaned the bike before.

Yep.
Don’t lend a bike if you want it back in the same condition.

[zedXmick]

3 or 4 times a summer when I worked FT. Now retired and will have more time to clean n ride.  Nice to admire a sparkling clean motorcycle in the driveway after wash n dry. 

[larrys]

I keep my bikes clean and pristine because I can. When I kept a bunch of bikes there were always a couple of road dogs that just got ridden and maintained, never washed.
Larry

[Moparnut72]

Road Dog, I like that term. Describes my V7 Special. I use a dish washing brush to clean my spokes when I get around to it, makes it fairly easy otherwise ???
kk

[Perazzimx14]

I’ve seen so many bikes that are spotlessly clean and the owner professes that he “likes to keep it in good condition…”
When you get into it, the oil is old, brake fluid never been changed, pivot points never greased.
Chain virtually dry, swingarm bearings shagged etc.. and just a bastard of a thing to ride.
But stand back and the thing looks like new.
My Norge is (I think), a rationalisation of general tidiness and deep maintenance. It is not spotless, there are some cosmetic marks that have been picked up over the journey(s), but it is stand off tidy.
This is @ just over 200,000 k

Almost anyone can pick up a bucket, sponge, some rags and wash, polish and detail a motorcycle. It's easy see dirty clean it away. Pretty low on the skills board. Performing maintenance is a different kettle of fish. Far less people are confident with a wrench.

[JJ]

In my experience...."A Clean Bike Always Seems To Run Better...Than A Dirty Bike..."

 

[Bulldog9]

I'll generally keep the tank/fenders/windscreen and paint clean with a spray wax, but rarely touch anything else except 1-2x a year.

I do a deep clean to the toothpick level when serviced.

[tris]

The Roamer is the nicest bike I've owned so I tend to keep it clean when I get a gap, but not to a miniscule level

However there is a perverse pleasure in a dirt and  mud spattered bike after a long ride/tour where the only clean bits are the number plate, lights and the badges 👌👌