Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Any suggestions for bike cleaner besides S100?

Any suggestions for a good bike cleaner besides the pricey S100? I'm getting low on the stuff and before I go out and drop the $$$ on S100, I wanted to see if anyone can suggest something else, that is good quality and that I can buy here in the USA. Thanks!

Mothers and McGuires both make claybar which are raved about by people who show cars...I prefer McGuires. I got the Quick detailer for quick detailing. Spray on and wipe down with a microfiber and it spreads such a fine layer of canuba wax that water beads away. They call it a hydrophobic blend. I try just about all the different cleaners and wax I can find.

I also hear that one part simple green to three parts water on a carb brush will clean out some of the places harder to reach.

I pretty much use warm water with a dash of Sunlight dish soap. Or just plain warm water but I don't let the bike get to grungy between washes.

I posted this a while ago

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Ive used S100 Total Cycle Cleaner for a while and loved it. I tried another brand of similar product and it dulled my finish! It wasnt Honda Brite (Ive used that before and had no issues)...it was in a grey box. Never again

To restore your dulled black casing use S100 Engine Brite ! It works! I dulled Karens case by using Easy Off to get some plastic off her pipes and couldnt fix it for close to a year. I stumbled across this stuff about a year ago now and it still looks great!

On a recomendation I have recently started using Griots Engine Cleaner and am very happy with it. It get to the bugs and dried junk and doesnt affect the paint.
I use Griots Speed Shine for a quick clean up. It works on everything!
Yesterday I used some Griots Clay and Griots Best of Show Wax and I can not beleive how shiny and smooth the paint looks!

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I have since used Griots Car Wash, Wheel Cleaner and a few other products and I simply can not say enough good things about them.

If you're looking to get rid of hard road grim and grease, recommend Honda Bright. That stuff cuts through the best of gunk.

Z,
Where did you find the Griots stuff?

Ah...nevermind. Thanks!

Suzuki Bike Cleaner, you spray it on & then hose it off. All the gunk comes off & does not streak.

There are a number of quick clean tricks for those times when there is more month than paycheck, but eventually you will want to return to the really great cleaners and wax. If it's only a short stint of cleaning with something less expensive, a bit of dish soap and water will get it clean. I've even heard of people using pledge to do a quick wipe down which applied a light coat and made the next cleaning easy. In the end, are you looking to keep a show room shine, or just get the road grime off of it?

I tend to like my bike shining with a smooth finish, so I will occasionally use compounds to rub out scuffs, and polish it up a bit. Most of the time, I just rinse it down with a quick detail to inspect it.

Good luck to you and let us know what you choose to do.

I don't like using water for cleaning my bikes. For the rims, spokes and engine I use Metal Protector spray (something very similar to WD-40). When I use this I don't plan on riding the bike until the next day, plus I try to be very careful around the brake rotors. For everything else I use a Waterless wash and wax. The waterless wash and wax is great on paint, chrome, rubber, glass and plexiglas.

When I travel I carry three cans for cleaning & maintenance along with several rags:
1. Heavy Duty Metal Protector (chain lube)
2. Metal Protector (a syn version of WD-40)
3. Waterless Wash & Wax

All have multiple uses when traveling. The chain lube for obviously lubing the chain, but I also use it whenever I remove any bolt or fastener from the bike. Since I don't have a torque wrench I spray the threads and tighten as best I can. The marine grade wax will insure the bolt or fastener will not come loss (not recommended for direct use on engine or exhaust). Waterless Wash & Wax for cleaning the bike, but I also use it every two to four hours of riding to clean my helmet and shield. I have found nothing that cleans the helmet or shield better, or faster.

Tom

post ride wipe downs with maguires detailer. after rain runs, turtle wax car wash. and then usually, only the stuff below the tank. mothers rim polish on the classic wheels. semichrome on most other shiny bits.

most times cleaning is more a process of dusting then grime removal.

careful with simply green. hear tell that liberal use pots metal. when you must, rinse profusly with high pressure (city water turned full bore and narrowed stream, NOT pressure washer or car wash), then rinse again.

Riding in the rain is a beautiful way to rinse the top side then when on the side stand, wipe down with a towel. Next morn use the turtle wax wash solution on the pipes and fenders, then blow it off when ya ride to work. cages suck. motorsickles are nirvana minus kurtsshotgun.

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motorsickles are nirvana minus kurtsshotgun.

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I'd definitely stay away from Simple Green as it can be corrosive to stainless. I've had great results with the Suzuki Bike Wash which is all I buy now (for wash off cleaner). I've heard mixed reviews about S100 as possibly being too strong which could result in paint or other finish damage. Try the Suzuki.

Thanks all for the replies and feedback.
Laurie, I'm re-using my Bubs from my old '07 TBA. The left one is a little beat-up (I went down on the left). So I'm not looking for a showroom look. I got the bike to ride, not to tow around and show off like some (as I quietly whisper "Harley") riders do. I do want her to look clean, but also ridden.

I've ended up staying with the S100. I seem to recall paying a lot for the stuff when I bought it before. Perhaps because I previously bought it at a H-D dealer? I just ordered a tach and some other stuff from a vendor and happened to find out they also sell S100 refill (32+ oz) for under $10. I quickly sent them an e-mail asking if they could include it in my order (you pay one fixed price for shipping). I got a reply, a few hours later, telling me that my order has been sent out including the S100 refill.

I will say I have been fairly happy overall with S100. It kept the old bike looking fairly good, although it wasn't very effective getting gunk off the rear wheel (over-zealous chain lubing). I used it the other day, after finally getting (wrestling) my old Bubs on, and the bike looks pretty good. There is still some stuff on the bottom of the pipes I need to work off, but you can't tell the left one was beat up, unless you get one your hands and knees and look close (or if I tell you).

I've never heard of Simple Green corroding stainless. I work with gas turbine power stations around the world and I heard from them about the benefits/savings of using SImple Green versus the "triple the price" compressor wash stuff from the OEM. They've never mentioned corroding stainless. But now that you've mentioned it, I will be asking some of the sites about that issue.

Once again, thanks all.

Woohoo...looks like a sunny weekend. Looks like I can get some riding time in. Clean out my Bubs some more!!

Try Fountianofyouth.com and get there quick shine it works really well with very little effort. anything that will take lovebugs off the front of my bike without scrubbing is worth whatever it cost but this is only about $12 i think.?? it will even do your windshield without scratching.

.....never any problems with simple green.....except it makes the bike smell like a bus station shithouse.....always used it on my old sportster and now I use it on my america...