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  1. #1

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    Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    Not the painted metal parts, that`s obvious. But all the plastic parts.

    2 year old picture of the bike in question.

  2. #2
    tropicsteve's Avatar
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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    if they are true plastic parts, no, but some of the newer bikes are using parts that appear to be plastic but in fact are hi-tech, painted laminates. many of the parts (saddle bags, fairings, side covers, and tour packs) of Harleys are like this and the clear coats are pretty thin as opposed to the painted metal parts. (fenders, tanks) I still like waxing everything though.

  3. #3
    Sleper's Avatar
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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    Yes you should wax as it will help with fading and make easier to wash. My $0.02

  4. #4
    tom p.'s Avatar
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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    I, too, believe in waxing appropriate surfaces.

  5. #5
    Autopia Specialist RaysWay's Avatar
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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    Beautiful motorcycle! As a kid, I remember falling in love with motorcycles after reading a book were the narrator rode a shaft driven BMW motorcycle through South America.

    At the very least I would apply a wax, but I know if it was in my driveway...everything would end up getting coated. Having a waterless wash concentrate on hand would be nice for wiping down the bike before or after rides. I remember using Pinnacle Liquid Crystal by the gallon on my old ride.


  6. #6

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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    Wiping down before or after rides definitely isn`t happening. 1) it has been my only functioning vehicle for the last 2 years, so it sees too much use for that, and 2)...





    (beauty of a GS, zero damage resulted)



    However, if it is a material that receives sun damage and would benefit from waxing, I suppose I`ll do that.
    I went around the country on it last summer. Riding through desert in Utah/Nevada/Arizona/California burned the paint right off the off-road light that was on the sunny side.
    Likes mrclean81, tropicsteve, WaxAddict liked this post

  7. #7
    Detailers Workshop The Driver's Avatar
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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    Hydro2

  8. #8

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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    Un-LSPed surfaces tend to retain dirt and moisture, in case that might factor in.

    But there are also (non-Autopian) arguments for just not worrying/caring about such stuff.

  9. #9
    addysdaddy's Avatar
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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    something like BFCS or Optimum Opti-Seal might be an easy solution. Literally spray on and wipe off - no muss or fuss and should yield 3 mos of protection. Will work on paint, plastic and rubber bits and won`t stain.
    Likes RaysWay liked this post

  10. #10
    WaxAddict's Avatar
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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    I love your GS. Dakar?
    On black plastic, I use spray wax or a QD with wax, and occasional 303. Unless it`s glossy, I`m paranoid about wax. On your white painted pieces, I would definitely wax. I`d use Collinite 845. 3 or 4x per year. And the frame.

  11. #11

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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    Quote Originally Posted by WaxAddict View Post
    I love your GS. Dakar?
    R1200GS Rallye they called it. The Rallye meant it had the special paint job, special handguards (I think color is the only thing special), an options package, and a much higher price tag than it normally costs to get those options. I bought it after the 2013s came out because I told the salesman how I liked the 2012s more than the 2013s and he said "you like this one? Let`s make a deal, I`m tired of it being in my showroom." Price was crazy good (about $1.5k off plus free 3 piece barely used luggage set and off road lights - I don`t remember exactly how much off, but I do remember after taxes & all fees, the luggage and off road lights, it was still about a grand below the sticker price for just the bike). My first motorcycle, and I sold my non-project car shortly after buying the bike.

  12. #12
    addysdaddy's Avatar
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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    Quote Originally Posted by addysdaddy View Post
    something like BFCS or Optimum Opti-Seal might be an easy solution. Literally spray on and wipe off - no muss or fuss and should yield 3 mos of protection. Will work on paint, plastic and rubber bits and won`t stain.
    To clarify I made this recommendation not because it`s the "best" protection, but because it`s the easiest. Clearly marlinspike isn`t going "geek" on his bike. So for those who want to protect their paint w/o having to work for it.....he`s not going to apply #845 4x time - not going to happen. Right tool for the right job.

  13. #13

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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    The Driver and addys got the picture. I`ve never heard of things like these, but they look like the right level of effort for this bike.

  14. #14
    addysdaddy's Avatar
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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    I feel ya Marlin, if it takes more than 2 minutes... its 3 minutes to much

  15. #15

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    Re: Do I need to bother waxing motorcycle?

    I`m washing the bike now to apply the Blackfire Crystal Seal. Is this stuff good to use on the unpainted plastics too? How about rubber?

 

 
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