Motorbike cleaning

[Krise]

Hoping to extract some knowledge from the detailing community here.

I have recently picked up a brand new motorbike, I’ve managed a few miles and the wheels have got covered in dirt, there bright orange as the picture shows.

Can I use my B & H wheel cleaner on them ? Also I assume I can use my regular car cleaning kit on the plastics to clean and protect them ?

And as I’m new to biking, this is my first bike, I’m hearing about ACF50 ?? If anyone could shed any light on this it would be appreciated

[Zarco]

44teeth did a quite good video on this subject recently:

https://youtu.be/wgmtu3OVzMI

I clean my bike with some bike specific Muck-off stuff and a jet wash. I have used car stuff in the past. There's obviously not that much of a difference. The bike obviously has an oily chain on it that will flicks oily crud around. That will need some attention to keep on top of.

ACF50 is a spray that stops things rusting. Basically by covering it in a protective film I think. Worth using if you store the bike outside or ride in all weathers. I don't bother as I'm a fair weather biker.

[wuckfitracing]

Be very careful with the orange wheels, if you rub them too hard it starts to come off. I tentatively cleaned some chain wax from my 2017 390 Duke with some detailer and realised that you have to go steady. The white cleaning cloth I used had traces of orange on it.

[trickywoo]

Zarco said:

44teeth did a quite good video on this subject recently

I found that cringe worthy.

[trickywoo]

Krise said:

Can I use my B & H wheel cleaner on them ? Also I assume I can use my regular car cleaning kit on the plastics to clean and protect them ?

No need to use cleaner with fallout remover on a bike at all really and certainly not a new one.

A bike specific spray cleaner is a good idea because you’ll have issues with grease from the chain even if you use dry lube.

I’d recommend Sdoc100 for the spray cleaner and wurth dry lube for the chain.

A hose down and sponge over with standard car shampoo after every wet ride and once a week in the dry will keep it looking good. Use the special bike spray cleaner less frequently for deeper cleaning as necessary.

As said before acf50 is just fancy spray on oil. Lots of people apply it at the start of winter and don’t wash the bike until spring. I’d prefer to wash the bike more often if you are using in salt than rely just on the acf. Reapplying it gets expensive and takes time to do properly.

[Pothole]

trickywoo said:

Krise said:

Can I use my B & H wheel cleaner on them ? Also I assume I can use my regular car cleaning kit on the plastics to clean and protect them ?

No need to use cleaner with fallout remover on a bike at all really and certainly not a new one.

A bike specific spray cleaner is a good idea because you’ll have issues with grease from the chain even if you use dry lube.

I’d recommend Sdoc100 for the spray cleaner and wurth dry lube for the chain.

A hose down and sponge over with standard car shampoo after every wet ride and once a week in the dry will keep it looking good. Use the special bike spray cleaner less frequently for deeper cleaning as necessary.

As said before acf50 is just fancy spray on oil. Lots of people apply it at the start of winter and don’t wash the bike until spring. I’d prefer to wash the bike more often if you are using in salt than rely just on the acf. Reapplying it gets expensive and takes time to do properly.

When I used a chain drive bike through the winter I religiously poured a watering can full of hot water over my brakes every time I got home. OP: I'm investigating winterproofing my new bike, too. I'll share any tips I come across.