To clean or Not

[Pwalo]

I'm afraid I get a bit obsessive about cleaning. Blame my boarding school days. I use the bike for commuting, so I give it a quick clean every night, especially in the winter or if it's dusty. Gets a better clean and check over in the weekend (Chain lube, cable check & lube etc).

Love shiny paint, and it's easier to maintain if I do a bit each day. Now where's my polishing rag.

[Fryin Finn]

XJR gets cleaned before every ride - half days work
WR gets cleaned between rides - usually 1 to 2 weeks part time
SRX gets cleaned twice a year
Because bikes live in the garage theres no rust on them except a little on the SRX which will turn 18 this year. Teenagers are allways grubby.

[bugjuice]

Ive got several soft cloths that I rub the bike down with every so often, and the bucket and sponge come out when I've got the time.. Most of the dirt comes off on the soft cloths, so it doesn't look too bad.
On the other hand, there has been a few times it has got real bad when the weather has been crap. I look at it, and it looks like a well used bike. Not one that sits in the garage not going anywhere. If you buy a bike (or cage) for shits and giggles, then hell, it's got to be used else it's a waste. And the dirt shows that..
But then I think 'crap, it's dirty' so I wash it asa. So it doesn't really stay dirty for long, if it does get dirty to start with. I think a clean bike shows off the colour and lines better.. and adds to the 'wow' factor..
Plus it feels better to ride it clean, than ride hard dirty..

[Holy Roller]

A really good wash and polish before I attend runs or rallies. Just finished polishing it up this morning ready for the Westpak helicopter run on Sunday. May have to give it a quick polish on Saturday to have her looking her best.

[loosebruce]

I put dont worry bout what it looks like, those that see it when it rolls outta the garage in a few weeks will understand.

But when it was original i was still shit at cleaning it but i "thought" about, in fact the last time i cleaned it was when Vtwin Raver looked at it and went "fark your bikes a disgrace" and that was a long time ago. I just ride the thing.

[Kendog]

I like riding my bike after it has been cleaned.

It always seems to ride a little better.