bugs

Topics related to the ownership, maintenance, equipping, operation, and riding of the R1200R.

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jkhomes
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Location: Albuquerque, NM

bugs

Post by jkhomes »

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.

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John K
2008 R1200R
2013 HP4
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Shakey
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Re: bugs

Post by Shakey »

Given your location and the title of your post I was disappointed not to get a cartoon rabbit :D

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 :roll:

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!
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Bob Ain't Stoppin'
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Re: bugs

Post by Bob Ain't Stoppin' »

Nice Pic =D> Here's my bride at the same spot a few years ago:
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rokinrider
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Re: bugs

Post by rokinrider »

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... :D
Speed cures all handling problems.
2009 R-12R awesome
2000 HD FLHT 95" slightly modified
TinkerToy
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Re: bugs

Post by TinkerToy »

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%
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jrvip1
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Re: bugs

Post by jrvip1 »

I wish I could clean mine but we still got a hosepipe ban here :smt090
Gravity is your best friend (usually!)

2011 R1200R Classic
2007 Goldwing GL1800
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