I use spray on/wipeoff products for simple touchups or for a quick turn clean-up.
for a more detailed cleaning I just get a bucket of water with some dish detergent and some old rags or cloth and I apply soapy water to the undercarriage and engine/wheels etc and scrub it all up as best possible to remove the lions share of road gunk/dirt/rain spotting etc etc. I then rinse well with the hose little pressure and dry with a leaf blower.
then I look closely for minor details of dirt and work them with a spray cleaner and shop towels. I wet the shop towel and work it into the cooling fins to get them as clean as possible. I wipe down the pipes and headers with a shop degreaser and then finish with chrome polish.
If the chain is due up for cleaning I then ride the bike to warm up the chain/ put the bike up on the lift and liberally apply kerosene and a grunge type brush to get as much of the old chain wax/dirt and what have you off. I then apply the wax per the destructions on the can and wipe down the rear wheel area. last if needed I wax the tank and fenders.
I try to do a detailed clean at least once a month and the rest of the time I just spray and wipe and go.
