My 2008 R1200R with 27,000 miles on it didn't burn a drop of oil the whole way. Needing fuel was never an issue. For sure this is the exact right bike for me, I could not have had a better time.
bugs
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bugs
Apparently there is no end to the flying bugs and insects you can wash out of a naked roadster after a 1,483.5 mile tour through Colorado mountain passes. I got everything pretty clean except for the cooling fins. Not OCD enough to go in there with a toothbrush (yet). Even the arms of the mirrors were bad. The directions for my Akrapovich exhaust said to clean it with WD-40, and boy that made it look nice.
My 2008 R1200R with 27,000 miles on it didn't burn a drop of oil the whole way. Needing fuel was never an issue. For sure this is the exact right bike for me, I could not have had a better time.

My 2008 R1200R with 27,000 miles on it didn't burn a drop of oil the whole way. Needing fuel was never an issue. For sure this is the exact right bike for me, I could not have had a better time.
John K
2008 R1200R
2013 HP4
2008 R1200R
2013 HP4
Re: bugs
Given your location and the title of your post I was disappointed not to get a cartoon rabbit
I use a Karcher pressure washer on mine - careful not to go too near any seals or electronics though - but I still need to get in there on those fins. WD40 does a good job there too but is a bit smelly on the next ride. I've even become anal enough to use my compressor to eject the wash water from between the fins
I've always subscribed to the "I'd rather ride it than clean it" school but this bike looks so good when it's all clean and sparkly I just can't help myself!
I use a Karcher pressure washer on mine - careful not to go too near any seals or electronics though - but I still need to get in there on those fins. WD40 does a good job there too but is a bit smelly on the next ride. I've even become anal enough to use my compressor to eject the wash water from between the fins
I've always subscribed to the "I'd rather ride it than clean it" school but this bike looks so good when it's all clean and sparkly I just can't help myself!
Martin
Pas D'elle yeux rhone que nous!

Pas D'elle yeux rhone que nous!

- Bob Ain't Stoppin'
- Member
- Posts: 285
- Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:50 am
Re: bugs
Nice Pic
Here's my bride at the same spot a few years ago:


-
rokinrider
- Basic User
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 2:44 pm
- Location: Mount Vernon Iowa
Re: bugs
I use a soft hoop shaped brush I got at auto zone gets in tight places and works great. It does the fins, wheels and is a must in my cleaning bucket, cheap too... 
Speed cures all handling problems.
2009 R-12R awesome
2000 HD FLHT 95" slightly modified
2009 R-12R awesome
2000 HD FLHT 95" slightly modified
Re: bugs
Try a EZ_Detail brush...they come in small and large sizes . It's a tapered cone configuration built on a flexible wire center support with a robust soft protective end covering...the bristles are what I call a smashed-end nylon bristle, soft and non scratching. This brush gets into all of those hard to get to places a sponge or rag just won't reach. To attack the bugs in the fins I use a stiffer long bristle brush, Walmart sells a nice one, again with the sashed bristle...very soft in comparison to many nylon bristle brushes -a presoaking to soften up the critters helps... there are times other tactics are needed to get the bug problem taken care of. A feature of the E Z Detail brush is... stored wet may distort the bristles...not a problem... hang the brush up by the handle till dry and return to it's original carton to prevent the bristle distortion .. if the bristles become a mess dip the brush into a pot of hot/boiling water shake and do the normal drying procedure..., this will return the bristles back to new The large brush covers 90% of the bike ...the small the other 10%
Re: bugs
I wish I could clean mine but we still got a hosepipe ban here 
Gravity is your best friend (usually!)
2011 R1200R Classic
2007 Goldwing GL1800
2011 R1200R Classic
2007 Goldwing GL1800