[allawy]

Hi Guys.

I just got my new 899 in Red.

Its my first ever motorbike. I was on a 125cc Vespa before.

I have some newbee questions I was wondering if you guys could help.

1- Where can I get my bike washed in London. Can I take it to those jet wash guys that do cars? I live in an apartment so I cant do it myself.

2- How often do I need to oil the chain. I ride the bike everyday.

3- Do you guys have any maintenance essential tips for me?

Thank you ))))

 

[ILåÐÆMì纳]

You have good taste, but the 899 isn't the safest choice for a first bike. Be careful out there. Maybe find a superbike school that does track days so you can put the bike and yourself through the paces before you run into the same situations in the real world.

1 - Wash and wax it yourself, I wouldn't take it to a car wash. I just wash it like normal and try to avoid the electronics. I've never been able to trust those car wash guys...
2 - Every 100-200 miles. Also you should check and adjust the slack while your at it too.
3 - Always stay current on everything especially tires. If you are riding everyday I would check them as frequently as I got gas.

 

[allawy]

Amazing. Thank you


Appreciate your concern. I have the bike on wet mode until I get used to it and have been looking at some bike racing schools. California Superbike School UK: ART (Advanced Rider Technique)

Also with the washing I live in an apartment. The only way for me to wash the bike would be to take a bucket down loll I need to find a simpler solution

Thanks for your advice

 

[draggin]

Vespa to 899

That is one heck of an upgrade.

Welcome to the forum!

You can for sure wash your bike yourself. You just have to have everything mixed in bottles.

- prerinse presoak bug killer soap mix
- waterless wash
- quick wax
- lots of microfiber cloths
- claybar

Look into a product called Opti-Coat

Permanent sealant for the plastics so bugs dont stick to it as hard.

 

[adeyrob]

Im with the other guy, I wouldn't take it to a car wash, jet washers are a big NO NO as far as I'm concerned, the pressure is tooooo much and would wash lubricants away. A couple of buckets, a sponge and some autoglym shampoo should do you.

Get some advanced training too, big difference from a Vaspa 125. Take it easy and avoid the temptation, will accelerate way quicker than the Vespa, even in wet mode the world will come at you very fast, scarily fast at times!

 

[92GTA]

I wash my bike about every 1,000-1,500 miles. Even the full pressure of a normal hose IMO is too strong, I never go above half pressure. I wipe my chain and reapply chain wax after drying the bike.

The 899 is my first bike with no clear coat so I'm still learning how to take care of the fairings and tank. Be careful of the pH of the soap, some will remove any wax you apply. Another reason not to use the car wash.

...I went from Yamaha Jog scooters to sport bikes at 15yrs old after 2yrs of riding scooters. While a sport bike track class is of course always helpful, allot of these guys presume most brand new sport bike riders don't have self control and will just twist the throttle like a video game lol. Don't mind them, they are just looking out for a fellow rider

 

[mcouper99]

+1 for CSS...took the 2-day and it was worth every penny...

 

[Ad_raz]

I can help answer Cleaning your bike & avoid damaging the paint, but it may take a couple of trips to and from your tap. I used to detail specialist paintwork
- Try to use two buckets one with Just water and the other with a quality soap, after each time the wash MIT touches the bike dip it in the bucket containing just water
- using your hand just scratch the MIT to help remove all the dirt that was on the bike now on the MIT before putting it back in the bucket with your soap.
- use a quality brand like autoglym, maguires. I normally use a brand called swissvax.
- Never use a sponge but a micorfibre wash MIt, so it pushes stones to the back and doesn't scratch paint, and leave swirls in the paintwork.
- Always rinse all soap off and dry with a micorfibre cloth, newer a chamois
- Like previously said avoid using hoses, but just elbow grease

Hope this helps


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[allawy]

Wow.. some amazing advice.

Thanks guys...

Yea washing is gonna be a drag. lol im getting there.

And yea im not riding around like crazy yet. ))) still taking it easy.

 

[draggin]

As mentioned above.

Technique and having good materials help.

The paint on the plastics are soft and can scratch easily especially if there is heavy dirt and bugs on it.

If there are lots of bugs look into pretreating the bugs first with a mix of car wash soap and water.

Microfiber or genuine sheepskin wash mit

High quality soaps meant for auto paint

2 buckets. one for rinse one for soap

rinsing the mitt often and having the right dilution of soap to water.

 

[S.I.U.]

cleaning those wire wheels can be a bit PITA, at least they show a good way to go about that and any set of wheels that are hard to clean

 

[allawy]

wow that video makes it look so easy. lol