How do you clean your Spyder?

[spyderrider44]

:gaah: clean it i thought you were just susposed to ride it hyea:

 

[drifter]

Hose and dish soap. Bathroom towle to dry. Does this count as spyder abuse? :shocked:

 

[NancysToy]

This is one of those topics that gets as many answers as oil and windshields do. Opinions are as common as belly buttons. I'll add to the fray. I do not wash any of my motorcycles unless it is absolutely necessary. For the dust I use a microfiber towels or a car duster. For the bugs and crud I use Windex Multi-Task with vinegar, which is the same stuff the optometrist has me use to clean my glasses. Lots of other specialty items for other tasks and materials, but it is far too hard to get the moisture out of the crevices and keep the rust at bay if I use water. If I ride in the rain I blow the bike dry when it hits the garage, then detail it carefully and remove any visible rust. Big pain!
-Scotty

 

[retread]

Plexus, Black Magic, and not often enough.:joke:

john

 

[aubierules]

Smylinacha uses a swiffer......:doorag::roflblack:

careful man...she just may use it on u!! unless of course ur into that:yikes::roflblack:

 

[irish2themax]

I used a California Duster on my Mercedes CLK320 conv and my brother uses one on his Harley's. Makes washing much less frequent. The mini-duster ($9) should be good enough for the Spyder. It's really worth the small investment. For heavier washes, I use Rain-X foaming concentrate

 

[StarTraveler649]

I use a mild auto detergent, soft sponge, then recently started to blow mine dry. Have a small blower that puts out quite a bit of volume. Has that thing mostly dry in a couple of minutes, then I wipe down what little is left with a chamois.

I rinse it down to get the dust off every couple of days, but a true wash only when it needs it, once since I bought it 3 weeks ago.

I saw an ad for a blower specifically designed for drying motorcycles. Thought, I have almost the same thing, let me try it. Works like a charm. I start at the front, work my way back and down. Only place I have to usually dry by hand is the rear area around the swing arm, etc. You end up blowong the water back and forth from one place to the next, no way to really have it "fly off" so to speak.

I am sure a smaller leaf blower would work if you were careful, but blowing the water off is the way to go !!

 

[Tom in NM]

desert rider here . . .

Like Dudley above, dust is the main issue. But, I also get tree sap, mud, road salt, and bugs.
I power wash around once a month. I never give the Spyder any more power wash than it would get than going thorough a downpour at 60 mph - except for the wheel spokes and front struts while carefully avoiding the brakes. I never get the tip closer than 20" to any part the Spyder. The 1st minute and a half is soap. The rest of the time is rinse, with the last 30 seconds being spot free rinse. Washing, rinsing and then drying the whole bike from top to bottom.
With the humidity being usually under 15%, drying is a speed activity. I have two old soft bath towels that soak up most of the water. Then hit it with microfiber hand towels. As I am doing that I also use Armor All Ultra Shine Wash & Wax Detailer - I have used others and they are fine, but this seems to reduce static, stuff does not seem to stick to it as much, and makes both the paint and plastic parts look great - and has not left any build-up or white residue.
I also use the Armor All Detailer between washes for spot cleanups after I dust with a wax based car duster. ( the feathery/furry ones create too much static on the Spyder here and it actually becomes a dust magnet )
I save the wheels for last. Doing the front spokes and hubs are not fun, but the do clean easily if you keep up on them. The back wheel is the worse - be ready to roll the Spyder a couple of times so you can reach all of it. By the time you finish the wheels, the towels will be dirty with brake dust - don't use them on any of the paint/plastic finishes after that.
I have discovered that the mirrors will hold up to 20 gallons of water that will spill out as soon as you ride through your first turns, spraying you and the Spyder. So, unless you like to be spritzed and wiping waterspots off your showroom Spyder - AVOID GETTING WATER IN THE MIRRORS. This may be a feature and not a problem.
I think when you wash the Spyder on a regular basis, at least once every two weeks, is a good idea - it is an exceptional way to learn about the wear & tear you are going through and catch maintenance problems early on.
Tom

 

[NancysToy]

I think when you wash the Spyder on a regular basis, at least once every two weeks, is a good idea - it is an exceptional way to learn about the wear & tear you are going through and catch maintenance problems early on.
Tom

:agree: ...except I don't actually wash my bikes. Spending a couple of hours going over every inch of a vehicle detailing it every few weeks is a splendid way to spot maintenance issues, and keep it in good shape and pretty to boot. Good time to check bolts for tightness, check for leaks, adjust tire pressure, etc.
-Scotty

 

[M2Wild]

S-100. Spray on, rinse off. Use a blower to remove residual water and prevent spotting.

Blower?!? What ever happened to just go for a spin, drive fast and blow off the water that way?