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[skippy49]

  I just wash mine like I would my car and when I'm done I blow it dry with a large blower and then hit any left over water with a chamois.  Got the blower from my stepson-it's made for drying cattle and really blows well!  As long as you get rid of the water some way you won't have any spots.  Of course if there are no minerals in the water there shouldn't be any spots either.

[LarryB]

or get one of these and forget it, what spots
this'll wake chip up

[TIF2]

^^^  That's definitely Sham - WOW

[spydglide]

Nice Gremlin.  har!  spyder

[Fired00d]

Nice Gremlin.  har!  spyder

Never heard "it" called a gremlin before.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[1abastarsmda]

Earlier this week, I washed my bike and then used my Cycle Dry and then microfiber towels.  Then I backed the bike out into the driveway and let it sit for a few hours in the sun.  I took a ride to the dealer and after feeling water hitting my arms, I stopped to wipe down everything I could find that flew up.  I continued on to the dealer, and hit 110 mph on a long downhill straight stretch.  Then I was at the dealer for about 2 more hours, with my bike sitting in the sun again.  When I left, I felt the water hitting my hands again.  We stopped for gas and I wiped the bike down again.  On the way home, again the water was flying.  I thought I had everything completely dry after the Cycle Dry and microfiber.  I still can't figure out where that water is hiding at and I hate spending all of that time cleaning, only to have water start flying all over the bike again.  When that happens, it dries in streaks.  Where is the hiding place that I am missing?  Most of the water is hitting the upper section of the lowers. 

[LarryB]

usually it hangs out under things, after to blow the bike off, like a bad girlfriend, point it up and under areas.

[1abastarsmda]

usually it hangs out under things, after to blow the bike off, like a bad girlfriend, point it up and under areas.

I did and always do when I'm at home with all the equipment.  This is the first time I've had this happen since my RK.  I don't know what I could have missed that sitting in the hot sun for hours wouldn't have taken care of, and that riding at 110 mph wouldn't have gotten rid of.

[LarryB]

I did and always do when I'm at home with all the equipment.  This is the first time I've had this happen since my RK.  I don't know what I could have missed that sitting in the hot sun for hours wouldn't have taken care of, and that riding at 110 mph wouldn't have gotten rid of.

you talking bike or old Girlfriend

[1abastarsmda]

you talking bike or old Girlfriend

Both, of course...when I'm not trying to find a place that sells fudge.  Maybe they have some in Gatlinburg.  What do you think?

[Crusty]

I have a CR Spotless system and it works great:

 You're my hero!!

I'll start selling this idea to my wife as my xmas present! 

[Crusty]

For those who want to blow-dry their bikes and don't want to go the leaf blower route... LarryB hooked up a decent deal on the new model AirShammy... heated & filtered air in a nifty little package. He got his not long ago, so I haven't heard from him as to how it works... but I ordered mine!

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=40759.0

[LarryB]

It works great, compact, quiet, long hose & cord. with the new upgraded version it really has a good force to it ( i was gonna say it really blows but , you know) after about 10 seconds the air warms up above ambient air temp. good product, right price, I'd suggest you call them and make sure you mention CVOharley and Me.

[Elixer]

or get one of these and forget it, what spots
this'll wake chip up

Whoa. Thats a smile and a half. Lucky man you are.

[HarleyRider2004]

I asked this question over a month or so ago and someone replied with using distilled water in a spray bottle. Use after all the soap is washed away. I have not tried it yet but think it could be a less expensive route. I love my craftsman blower/vaccume.

Topper

I actually suggested this.  After the bike has been rinsed take a quick detailer spray such as Meguiar's and mix with distilled water (50-50 for me).  I use this on my suv too and you don't have to spray that much that your hands are going to cramp up.  Just spray a light mist on the bike and the quick detailer will help the water run off and prevent spotting.  When I was younger I used to detail cars and this was a trick I picked up from a old pro it really helps to prevent water spots. 

What I do is:

Spray bike down good with water make sure to rinse off any lose dirt and soak bugs and such well with a little soapy water...kind of a pre soak.
Rinse bike.
Wash bike good top to bottom.  Try to save the dirty parts at bottom for last and use a separate wash mitt to prevent scratches.
Rinse bike well.
I like to take my leaf blower to it to get most of the water out of the hiding spots around the engine and tires, rims, and such.
Spray the entire bike with a mist of the Meguiar's quick detailer/distilled water spray.  I actually just started using Mother's Quick detailer and I like it the best so far.  (This works and it will not take that long you are not trying to re rinse the bike but rather spray a mist to avoid water spots)
Dry with a microfiber towel and use a couple of different towels for paint and separate for rims etc.  AND Make sure they are clean!

Go ride and get bugs all over it so it needs to be cleaned again!   

IMHO the Mr. Clean system is about worthless.  I have a home water treatment system but the only thing running to my outside is a sediment filter which is another inexpensive option.  They won't help to much with the water spots.