Motorcycle care and storage
8-2
8
chemicals such as, solvents,
gasoline, rust removers, brake
fluid, or antifreeze, etc.
Before washing
1. Park the vehicle out of direct sun-
light and allow it to cool. This will
help avoid water spots.
2. Make sure all caps, covers, elec-
trical couplers and connectors are
tightly installed.
3. Cover the muffler end with a plas-
tic bag and a strong rubber band.
4. Pre-soak stubborn stains like in-
sects or bird droppings with a wet
towel for a few minutes.
5. Remove road grime and oil stains
with a quality degreasing agent
and a plastic-bristle brush or
sponge.
NOTICE:
Do not use
degreasing agent on areas re-
quiring lubrication such as
seals, gaskets, and wheel axles.
Follow product instructions.
[ECA26290]
Washing
1. Rinse off any degreaser and spray
down the vehicle with a garden
hose. Use only enough pressure
to do the job. Avoid spraying wa-
ter directly into the muffler, instru-
ment panel, air inlet, or other inner
areas such as underseat storage
compartments.
2. Wash the vehicle with a quality au-
tomotive-type detergent mixed
with cool water and a soft, clean
towel or sponge. Use an old tooth-
brush or plastic-bristle brush for
hard-to-reach places.
NOTICE:
Use cold water if the vehicle has
been exposed to salt. Warm wa-
ter will increase salt’s corrosive
properties.
[ECA26301]
3. For windshield-equipped vehicles:
Clean the windshield with a soft
towel or sponge dampened with
water and a pH neutral detergent.
If necessary, use a high-quality
windshield cleaner or polish for
motorcycles.
NOTICE:
Never use
any strong chemicals to clean
the windshield. Additionally,
some cleaning compounds for
plastic may scratch the wind-
shield, so be sure to test all
cleaning products before gen-
eral application.
[ECA26310]
4. Rinse off thoroughly with clean
water. Be sure to remove all deter-
gent residues, as they can be
harmful to plastic parts.
After washing
1. Dry the vehicle with a chamois or
absorbent towel, preferably mi-
crofiber terrycloth.
2. For drive chain-equipped models:
Dry and then lubricate the drive
chain to prevent rust.
3. Use a chrome polish to shine
chrome, aluminum, and stainless
steel parts. Often the thermally in-
duced discoloring of stainless
steel exhaust systems can be re-
moved through polishing.
4. Apply a corrosion protection spray
on all metal parts including
chrome or nickel-plated surfaces.
WARNING! Do not apply sili-
cone or oil spray to seats, hand
grips, rubber foot pegs or tire
treads. Otherwise these parts