Cleaning a BMW R1200GS or R1250GS is easy. Honest!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- How often have us BMW R1200GS, R1250GS owners had other non GS bikers say that they could never own a GS due to cleaning difficulties, wrong. With the right tools it's easy, honestly; I am a lazy so and so so but keeping my GS looking OK is simple. Shame I can't take the bikes out just now, so it's real ale and looking at them on the drive!
Here is a link to the giant pipe cleaner brush: amzn.to/2TFvfmM
I take the “easiest” route: Drive into a car wash booth., rinse well, apply loads of S100, rub her a bit (and then the motorcycle), rinse a ton, dry it off with microfiber. Ride a while to finish drying.
(I’m in a condo, so no outdoor water source 😔)
I'd agree, they're not as hard to clean as some make out because there's no panels you need to get behind if you want to make a decent job of it. My regime is slightly different, but it's a personal thing IMO. First up I apply Powermaxed TFR via a garden sprayer at 1 part tfr to 9 parts water. I then leave that to soak and go and get my hot water. Next I jetwash the bike with my Nilfisk which has an auto nozzle so like you it's fairly low pressure. That gets rid of all the flies and most of the muck and I've not touched the bike yet so minimizing scratches. I too use the 2 bucket method and have both the big brush you have and it's smaller brother for around the engine. I start at the top with a Dooka lambswool pad to do the paint work and screen etc and as I get lower down I switch to the brushes you have plus a sort microfibre washmit I use for the wheels etc. After a rinse off I use a 2800w pet dryer off ebay that are about £60 to dry it off starting at the mirrors handlebars and screen area then tank. Next I blow the rads through from the rear before going from front to back. Once it's dry I'll use some detailing spray of choice to do the panels before finally giving it a light coat of FS365 which I use most of the year apart from during the summer. It doesn't take long once you've got used to your own method.
adrianbarrie13 Thanks for the comment, yes there are more ways then one to clean a bike; but I think there are still many who only have a bucket and sponge! The giant pipe cleaner was a revelation for me with bikes (and car wheels too!) The more time saved the more time for rides! Just not at the moment sadly.
quick tip, be careful of that big brush, the little cap on the end tends to come off without you knowing and before you know it, you've been scratching the what not out of those 'nooks & crannies. Finis off with XCP professional rust block, keeping away from the tyres and discs.
Yes have nearly lost that end cap a couple of times.
The giant pipe cleaner is a good thing. I have one too and it certainly helps getting to places that are difficult with anything else. I don't bother with the 2-bucket method ... never have. I find it doesn't make any difference (after 5 years - 30k miles - cleaning my last GS, a friend purchased it from me because it was immaculate). I think it only makes a difference if the soapy water get so dirty from not doing a rinse, pre-wash (snow foam), rinse again, and even then with a really cruddy bike. One thing I'd recommend more than anything else is the air blower. It will get so much water out of the bolt heads, etc. that would otherwise sit and promote corrosion!
Indeed, since I made this video I now have a blower! Cheers.
Very nice video. Thanks! Cleaning seems really easy with that tools. Specially with that you used to clean the difficult parts of the bike! Very well Sir!
Brito Barros thank you for watching and the kind comment, yes the big brushes really help speed up cleaning. Cheers.
I am valeting a GS like that for a customer at the moment and have to disagree and say the GS is a right pig to clean to what would be considered an acceptable professional standard. I am however a perfectionist and want it like just left the showroom when finished hence why people bring their bikes to me to clean. Was hoping the video would get into cleaning between the hard to get at gills in the boxer cylinders. Front of the one I am doing has dirt baked on in between them. Also that wonder tool brush you use has an unguarded metal point - perfect for scratching things up.
true
The brush I have has a ribber cap over the end, so no probs with such. Yes lot's of nooks and crannies, but in general one can keep the bike 99% nice (dont look too close!)
Nice. Will do this on my gsa
"That's what we do in April 2020, we sit and look at it" haha brilliant. Yea mine is a nightmare to clean. I've been meaning to get the snowfoam from my mate. He's an Automsmart franchisee. I'll be on his case tomorrow. I find the wheels bloody hard work. Also the RCF50 has made the cylinder heads a bit messy. Stay safe. Good vid..
I hate to mention the "you know what" on the videos, so April 2020 does the job hehe. Yes the snow foam really helps, especially if the bike if properly dirty (my GS was not so bad!) I put ACF 50 on the alloy parts of my Harley Fat Bob, really just to protect it from the winter damp when not being used for weeks on end, as for the GS I have never bothered to apply ACF 50! If I ride in winter on either bike and they get salty then I rest them on the drive for about an hour to cool, then do the cleaning as you have just watched before garaging. Cheers and thank you for the comments.
I loved this and the triple black colour
Indeed... For me how a bike looks is as important as how it rides. Cheers
Nice vid! same Bike and jetwash for me- I find snowfoam in direct sunshine a pain as it dries too quickly, My wheels need manual attention with a stronger product and I use a leaf blower to dry it ..super resin polish makes the screen like new . Great beer choice (strong)
I have just got myself a pet dryer, makes a big difference.
Great video. Thanks for sharing. I will put it to the test 👍
Cheers.
I mean, good job Fen, i m also got a Stella after i washed my bike today!
Miki kb At least the sunny warm weather has allowed me to sit and admire my bikes! I am getting through far too much ale!
I love it when I see a Rallye video..what mileage are you on...in Malaysia we call this a Pepsi GS...I also wash with a brush and towels...make sure you take it for a spin after wash just to make sure the brake does not get stuck
I am now at 14,000 miles, good point about the brake calipers; just been for service this week and all OK in the brake department.
@@FenTour 14k miles and the exhaust manifold is still shining...wow...must be a good road or you does wash it properly... make sure you try the anakee adventure next tyre change..looks good and feel gripper than Anakee 3...till then njoi the pepsi GS buddy !
I’d use a wheel Wollie instead of those brushes. They will be scratching the wheels and bike. Foaming is a great idea. Also when drying, try to only go in the same direction as it reduces swirls. Maybe not such a big issue on your colour but mine is black and shows every scratch if not looked after well. Cheers.
Two buckets is the key to not getting swirls, and yes my bike not really prone anyway with it’s colour regardless as you say. These brushes are recommended and used by pro detailers, very soft and won’t scratch wheels etc. Cheers.
a job well done and a fitting reward, stay safe
Thank you Gary, yes staying at home is very safe with mail orders ales; stay safe too.
Thanks!
No problem!
I did the exactly the same thing, only different is the last step I am using air blower (36v makita ) , to dry the bike.
Thanks, you are the third person to recommend a blower, must get one now! Cheers... :-)
@@FenTour Pet dryer, with an option for warm air, about £60 for a good 2800w
one
Brush purchased thank you
Excellent, hope you find it useful.
You should get a side stand enlarger, even if you don’t do ANY off road, that bike is heavy enough to dig into the hot (and soft) tarmac and tip over. And we don’t want that, do we?
No off road on my GS, tyres are not suitable... and yup its a big beasty... I would probably use my Harley for off road as per Million Dollar Bogan, lower ground clearance and better tyres for rough stuff.
I hope you know that you can set the soap beam wider…
I do enjoy a bike cleaning video. You should invest in a dog dryer as it makes drying much easier than using a cloth.
Cheers, haha what else is there to do; bike cleaning, gardening and errrr...! Anyway yes a friend of mine has a dog blower, he raves about it; must get one! Cheers for the tip.
Fen Tour I’ve been out treating each wheel spoke with ACF50 this morning 😬. There’s literally nothing left to clean on the bike 🤔
@@TheDervMan Brilliant! You wait, we will get the "all clear" at some point and it will piss with rain! Sods law eh!
Great job ! Beautiful bike for sure !!
Cheers
I thought you were never supposed to spray water on a bike
Many I know just leave them dirty.
Great video!
cheers
Won't the water and foam effect the electrical plugs and switches?
haha probably
Thanks Mate. I had a request to detail a Gs, just wanted to make sure about the electricals
The secret is don't let it get to filthy in the first place, many quick washes is better then one long every once in a while.
Yes indeed, that really makes a difference.
Can't wait for the fiat 500 review
It's my sons car, only 850cc but drives like a Go Cart! Brilliant fun car...
Where do you get the pipe cleaner big circular brush from any brand name link etc... thanks let me know please or male me a couple please
Johann Zitz hi Johann. There is a link in the description to the brush I use, came from amazon. Let me know if it does not work for you? Cheers.
Just to help a little, here is the link: amzn.to/2TFvfmM
Fen Tour thank you Sir got
it already ordered, great and safe riding.
What snow foam do you use?
This was Meguiar's
I dry it using my backpack leaf blower or my dog blower.
I have one too now, great tool.
@@FenTour yes, many uses for the dog blower which I also use to blow up water toys and other inflatables with attachments.
Après un bon lavage une bonne bière. ...
Yes please (the beer)
Věřte mě, že mytí tlakovou vodou není dobrý nápad, co je pozitivní , že je to rychlé....
Why are you wearing a "Glorified Waterpump" t-shirt whilst working on a GS?
Haha brilliant.