Workhorse as opposed to pleasure ride ..

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amit_shah25 · Thu Dec 24, 2009 4:40 am

Just curious here ... How many of you guys use your motorcycle as a workhorse -- commute, errands, grocery, home-depot trips (unless ofcourse if you getting 50 lbs of cement !!!), ride in rain or shine ... as opposed to pleasant weekend rides .. ?

If you do, do you still manage to keep your motorcycle new and shiny ? How do you clean it up ? Just hose it ? Wipe the whole thing with damp sponge etc. ? ...

havegunjoe · Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:45 am

When the weather permits I ride everywhere I possibly can. If it will fit in my saddle bags I take the bike.

#3 Unread post by **pchast** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:26 pm

Yes, that's my way to now. Use it as much as I can every reasonable day.

#4 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:34 pm

Why bother keeping it clean? If it's in proper mechanical condition, less cleaning means more time for riding.

I once heard someone refer to their motorcycle as a meticulously maintained rolling dirt clod. My bikes fit that bill.

jstark47 · #5 Unread post by **jstark47** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:50 am

One of my bikes is a V-strom with 3 hard cases. During decent weather it is my daily work commuter. (Not today- 21 degrees F with 50 mph wind gusts.... brrrrrrr!)

V-stroms tend to have a patina of crud - it's their natural condition. I mean, the bike is still gonna look like a giant alien bug if you clean it up, so why bother? I clean mine ...... maybe once a year or so!

amit_shah25 · Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:49 am

Thats how I have kept my car and bicycle ! Not the cleanest vehicles, but always run good !!

But then motorcycle -- Some people are fussy about it ..

So that got me wondering ! If you use something on a daily basis, how can u keep it clean !!! And like skier said, I would rather spend my time riding than cleaning ...

Actually the thing is, I got my current used suzuki from such an owner. Really nice guy. Very very meticulously maintained motorcycle. Looks like brand spanking new !

ceemes · #7 Unread post by **ceemes** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 3:14 pm

Mine is both a workhorse and a pleasure ride......and it looks the part....hose it down once a week during the winter to remove salt, then maybe once in awhile during the rest of the year.....its meant to be ridden, not looked at.

High_Side · #8 Unread post by **High_Side** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 5:42 am

My VFR is my workhorse - and I use it for touring or even carrying things as I pretty much keep the bags on it year round. My Superduke is my fun bike, which is supposed to just be for ripping around. That's my sales pitch to Mrs High_Side as to why I need two bikes. Now, The VFR is fun to rip around on as well - but keep it quiet, and the Duke would be comfortable for touring and has decent range - but you didn't hear it from me.. This is why everyone needs at least two bikes. I am still working the dual-purpose angle - which is why I will need three

amit_shah25 · Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:56 am

High_Side wrote:This is why everyone needs at least two bikes. I am still working the dual-purpose angle - which is why I will need three

He heeeee !

I had a car and bicycle. Motorcycle is the latest addition to the family ! Luckily my wife rides bicycle too so it was all smooth shopping so far. So far, wifey has not shown any resistance to motorcycle. She is taking her road test next week, and I am hoping that she rides that too ! If she enjoys, that's gonna be awsome !!