How do you wash your bike on trips?

[mcmxcivrs]

This picture show my bike ready to drive through the car wash.

[BC1100S]

Synthetic chamois to get the bugs and typical road dust. Motel rags to clean the wheels of brake dust. Spray car wash if the bike gets really dirty.

Motel owners are almost thrilled when I ask them for rags 'cause they know I won't be using the "good guest linen".

[PGlaves]

If anybody saw my bike right now - about 6 weeks on-the-road - they wouldn't even ask that question.

[39520]

rain.

+1

[dundee387]

I carry an "absorber" towel that I keep damp/wet, in a ziploc bag. Wipe with absorber, and then spray Plexus. Wipe with a microfiber towel. 10 minute job.

[Darryl Cainey]

Twice a year, if it needs it or not!

[Polarbear]

Nobody even mentioned it? I ride GSs a long time and will use a .25 power wash on occasion. I like the dirt appeal, but enough is enough and I need clean once a year when not home, long road trip. I KNOW all the pressure terror of it all, been there too many years. It works though, IF IF IF you are careful enough to keep pressure under wraps. Just don't blast it within inches of paint and seals and all else vital parts and you're fine. The whole bike is NOT a vital part, don't give me that. Just about every town in America/Canada has a quarter wash. Use accordingly, above. IF I come out of the woods all GSGiant muddy, I do not carry it far, without the above idea. Works on ME too. Randy

[angysdad]

twice a year, if it needs it or not!

+1

[rtravelbee]

Why would you?

[ANDYVH]

Hmm,......really? Wash your bike while on a trip?

Huh, what a novel idea,.....I,....never thought of it.

Perhaps I'm just too busy riding.

[David13]

I don't ride to be busy. I ride for pleasure, for enjoyment. I'm a leisure rider. I'm not racing to meet a deadline, or impress anybody with how many miles I can rack up in a short period of time.
So I have time to ride, and get somewhere. My big trip this year was Cabo San Lucas.
And lesser trips.
But I also have time to wash myself, the bike, brush my teeth, have a nice dinner, and a reasonable lunch. Relax in the evening. Take a walk. Make a phone call, play with the internet.
Look around and enjoy the scenery. Take a photo or two. Get a good night's sleep. Then do it all over again the next day.
dc

[David13]

Actually, I don't 'wash the bike' on a trip.
I just sponge the bugs off the front, the windshield, the lights and around the front. For a major wash up, I do wait til I'm back at the crib.
dc

[AKBEEMER]

If anybody saw my bike right now - about 6 weeks on-the-road - they wouldn't even ask that question.

I did, I didn't and I won't.

[Bmandiego]

Hey - reality check here.

You do realize these towels are used by a cross-section of our society bringing everything from acne to STD's to AIDS to the table, right?!

Ewww again, Now I'll have to travel with my own towels for me AND the bike? The motel towels are always so stiff anyways, lol.

[crazydrummerdude]

I think I washed my bikes once in 2007 and hosed them down once in 2009.. and now that I know that my bike is in danger of getting acne and AIDS, I won't even risk it!