Comments on: Winter Riding Devastation

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 04:50:00 +0000

I hardly ever wash my scooters. I do keep them in the garage so they don’t get weatherbeaten. I got less worried about it when they came loose in my trailer and scratched each other up, so a little dust isn’t going to make a difference.

By: David

David — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 07:12:00 +0000

There used to be a BMW commercial, for the GS series, that showed a cruiser owner sitting in his driveway, polish and rag in hand. The voice over went like this, "Some guys spend all weekend polishing their bikes." Cut to a shot of the GS splashing through a puddle/creek. "I wash mine."

Even though I don't ride a BMW, that commercial summed up my attitude towards riding. If the weather is nice enough to wash the bike, it's nice enough to be riding. :)

Dave T

By: Maggie

Maggie — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:52:00 +0000

I am one of the crazy people that wash and wax my scooter after every ride. I have been known on group rides when we go out far to clean her when stopped 🙂 Funny I am not sure I have washed my SUV or car in a year or so…

By: irondad

irondad — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:43:00 +0000

I wash Sophie when I can't see through the windshield anymore. Or when my hands turn black from checking the air pressure. We're too busy riding!

Looking at some of those pictures, I don't think I'd even by riding. Don't feel guilty.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:12:00 +0000

orin: I was never traumatized by rust, not even as a kid working underneath my 1962 Ford Falcon with rust raining down into my eyes. Somewhere I embraced a general disdain or indifference to all things mechanical. I bet my father's new car every two years mindset probably had me thinking machines were disposable.

I haven't tried the self-serve wash places. That's a good idea. No salt would be even better.

starr: I can relate to your thinking.

tinker: Grill paint does sound like the best bet. I'll have to pick up a can.

conchscooter: It sounds like your Triumph is getting some serious attention. You are definitely a more attentive owner than I am. I need to rethink my ways.

t: I guess it's just winter.... Looking at your site you must spend a lot of time at eBay looking for Vespa stuff! Nice to see it all in one place.

ronman: Go not show. I like that. Just what I need, more rationale for not tending to the Vespa....*grin*

lucky: You don't count. things out in the desert last forever no matter what you or the weather do. You could park the scooter along the road and 1000 years from now you could walk up to it and it would go...... You're lucky.

By: Lucky

Lucky — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 04:26:00 +0000

I don't really encounter this "weather" stuff here in Arizona. My bike gets cleaned at one of two times:

1. When it rains
2. When I bring it in to the shop and they clean it for me.

I should probably clean it more, but you know how it is. There I am in the garage, with keys and a motorcycle and BOOM, I'm out riding.

By: Ronman

Ronman — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:38:00 +0000

I have my bike for go not for show so I don't worry too much about cleaning it. I had rather ride than clean on her.......though I must admit that here lately I have felt a bit shameful for letting her git so dirty.

Ride Safe

Ronman

By: T.

T. — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:19:00 +0000

Steve,

Where is that crazy weather? I'm in VA and we just got flurries...

As for my Vespa, its a beater GS150 I do however try to keep it clean as much as possible.

I'm saving up for a new one soon, until then check out my site, i'll be adding video & a blog soon- Vespas For Sale.

Thanks for the great blog.

By: Conchscooter

Conchscooter — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:09:00 +0000

I use a low pressure hose on my Bonneville twice and usually three times a week to limit the corrosion of the salt air. I also use a spray on cleaner which I then brush and rinse off once a week. After a ride to dry it off I spray the bike with an anti rust compound. And i polish the green paint with ever kleer, which is more I think thatn you wanted to know!

By: Tinker

Tinker — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:45:00 +0000

Grill paint, if you dont mind black paint, will stay on longer in a hi temp environment like that muffler. It doesn’t burn off, which is what your OEM paint did.