When you guys detail your bike (clean the calipers, rear shock, the whole bike) what do you guys use to clean those things... cuz sometimes water and soap just doesnt get the calipers back to new... and also what do you use to clean the rims... mine are pretty dirty and i really want the bike to be super clean for the calendar.

 

wd-40 or canned spray polish...

this shit is fantastic...better than Honda polish or Plexxus and others (ive tried them ALL)...it will clean shit almost like a degreaser...eats lovebugs and old chain lube and then leaves a showroom shine..no bullshit...

Cycle Gear - MOTOPRO: Spray Polish

 

i go over the wheels/calipers with some All Wheel Cleaner (my pref is McGuires) does a good job getting the nastiness off. Use a brush to scrub it all well. I usually also douse the engine with Engine Brite degreaser and if the calipers are narsty as well hit those. On a street bike though hitting the engine with cleaner prob isnt necessary as you cant prob get to it. The rear spring is always a PITA but a the same brush and cleaner you use for the calipers will get the grime that happened to build up on the rear shock. I pretty much attack my bike the same way i would if i was detailing my car. Take some of your fav interior vinyl cleaner (like Forumula 2001) and rub down the plastic controls and switches, as well as the visible cabling. Itll give it a nice shine and keep the plastic from fading in the sun as well as covers any existing fading. Actually, i use it on ALL black plastic like the mirrors, etc. For the fairings, wash, polish, wax like you would a car IMO.

 

i have that flat blue paint on the 06 636 i have never waxed or polished it..... thanks for the advice

 

degreaser

 

i use the s100 tire/wheel cleaner for the rims/calipers.. spray on, use a rag to rub it around a bit.. let it sit a min, then hose off... works great

the rest of the bike is just a bucket o water and a clean rag.. then while its wet i hit it with the spray wax and wipe it clean.. that works well too, but you gotta clean it / wax it often so the bugs slide right off no problem

 

+1 for the S100