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To wash or not to wash, that is the question! To wash or not to wash, that is the question!
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #16  
Old 6 Mar 2013
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Originally Posted by Alexlebrit View Post
I wash mine once a year whether it needs it or not, usually just before the Ace Café's Adventure Bike day so that it becomes the object of much derision for being the only shiny bike there.

If I remember rightly the piss taking was because it was a 125.....
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  #17  
Old 6 Mar 2013
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Originally Posted by jc_bromley View Post
If I remember rightly the piss taking was because it was a 125.....
A 125 parked next to a 110 that had gone half way round the world ;-)
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  #18  
Old 6 Mar 2013
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okay, I'm gonna get geeky here...



Depends on the dirt... Road spray off roads and motorways is generally oily gunk, chemicals, salt etc. This stuff can damage your paintwork if left to go to work on it.

Good old fashioned mud might preserve your bike like a prehistoric cave man lol


Whatever you do, I'd keep the working parts clean and lubricated as necessary. Oil seals, transmission, switches, springs etc. Having nuts and bolts ROT with road salt with do nothing but irritate the shit out of you when it comes to removing parts & servicing etc.

Snapped header bolt anyone ???


Keeping your bike clean and looked after WILL preserve it's value too...


Ted
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  #19  
Old 6 Mar 2013
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oh its to wash or not wash the BIKE

Had me worried for a second or two.
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  #20  
Old 7 Mar 2013
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I am with Genghis, Dazzer, Ted et al ... all very extensive adventure riders I might add.

Unless you feel you have to prove something to someone, then wash your bike. A dirty bike seems to be something that people like to ride up to the annual HUBB meet with, but to be honest, I normally drive there ... as do Austin Vince, Chris Scott et al.

I wash it several times a week when adventuring. Clean brakes, clean radiator, clean chain, clean suspension etc all work better than when covered in mud.

Its much much easier to spot things that arent as they should be when its clean. Its much much easier to do maintenance and fix anything when its clean.

It really comes down to the following issue:

Do you want to do adventure riding or do you want to LOOK like you do adventure riding.
Last edited by colebatch; 7 Mar 2013 at 17:49.
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  #21  
Old 7 Mar 2013
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Well, I knew that would get the comments going! I washed, and it felt AMAZING! Next time will definitely be before 5 weeks. And you do really look at the bike in a different way when you wash it than when I do my daily checks - thankfully nothing was wrong. Cheers chaps.

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  #22  
Old 17 Mar 2013
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Originally Posted by g6snl View Post
oh its to wash or not wash the BIKE

Had me worried for a second or two.
I also saw the thread title and was expecting a debate about personal hygiene whilst out on the road
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  #23  
Old 22 Mar 2013
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I washed, and it felt really good, can't wait until next year. : )
Washing the Bike,.... you have time to feel/see any breakages or future problems hidden under the crud, and its definitely something I do before routine maintenance.

But then there seems to be a market for THIS sort of foolery too...
The Belstaff"Muddy Jacket Steve Mcqueen tribute Jacket".£500. .With rubber mud pre-attached..I kid you not...



Taken from this good BLOG.
What Do You Think You Look Like? | The Making Progress Blues
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  #24  
Old 24 Mar 2013
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Hello
I wash off the mud and dirt with the "high pressure hose" or what it's called in english, when I can't see the screws and small parts of the bike.
But taking a sponge is waste of time, it gets dirty again.
For the Aussis I cleaned it 3 days with shampoo and diesel until it was cleaner than new.
What happed afterwards?
It got dirty again.
See my point?
sushi
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  #25  
Old 24 Mar 2013
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To wash or not to wash, that is the question!
Ride in the rain and mix in a river crossing now and then. That should take care it.


Blunozr

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  #26  
Old 21 Oct 2013
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Originally Posted by ta-rider View Post
I would wash it before i sell it but on the road its better to have a rotten looking bike. Nobody will steal a bike with is only hold together by some wire and tape
Maybe it would not be held together in such a manner if it had been cleaned and repaired before being beyond normal repair.
By the way in around a million km's of travel i have never been left on the side of the road.
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  #27  
Old 23 Oct 2013
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so I try to wash mine about once a month, if I am riding thru sand and saltwater, I wash it more often. having a clean bike helps with the maintenance and making sure everything is tight! Usually about one day down here on the baja and it is dusty again! I clean wind screen, mirrors, lights and helmet faceshield alomost every day...
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