[Geaux Fast]

Yesterday I went for an hour long ride in a steady down pour..... I've been wanting to test my rain gear for a long time now (All Joe Rocket gear, stayed dry ) you understand. Anyway, the next day the bike was filthy.. road crap in every possible place. The chain dried out too. How are you cleaning your fizzy after a ride like this? And what are you lubing your chain with? I have a Honda spray lube, but what is better? For what it's worth, the ride was a blast! I don't understand why my wife doesn't get it?

 

[FZTurtle]

After a ride in the rain, she gets a total bath, with all the bells, whistles, mitts and brushes. I use PJ1 Clear Chain Lube. After it rains, you really need to relube. If the chain is fairly clean, just warm the chain up and then lube away, and if she's dirty, then clean her, heat the chain up and lube away.

I don't go out looking to ride in the rain, but I won't hide from it either. If its raining in the AM before work, I dirve, as showing up with drippy gear kinda sucks, and I have to find somewhere special to put it. If its dry in the AM but will rain later, then I ride if I want to, as I have plenty of room for wet gear at the homestead.

 

[rasmar]

i dont drive in rain like that? lol i have been known to get caught in it (hard to avoid in FL some days) and i have regular chain lube suggested by the yami dude who said it was ok.

 

[fraggle1]

If it's still raining when you get home, just hose the bike down right then. All the grit and grime is WAY easier to get off when the bike is wet.

 

[MrVvrroomm]

If it's still raining when you get home, just hose the bike down right then. All the grit and grime is WAY easier to get off when the bike is wet.

+1 and nothing removes bugs better than rain water.

 

[segue00]

I haven't washed my bike with water since I got it. I just spray silicone all over especially the nooks and crannies, 'cept the brakes and tires, and wipe it. Nothing sticks, and I just feather dust it. After a rain/snow ride, I just let it dry, re-spray silicone and wipe.

For the chain on the FZ6 I haven't tried chain wax, since they've initially used chain lube from the factory, I have second thoughts that the wax might not stick after using the lube type. I've used bel-ray chain lube, Honda chain lube, Yami chain lube, they're all about the same. I'll try Maxima next which people have reported exellent. I find that after applying the chain lube, a good wiping of the chain with a rag prevents exessive chain fling and keeps the rims and under-carriage much much cleaner. To clean chain fling, I use a wipe cloth with WD-40.

In New England, if you don't ride in the weather, you don't ride at all. The weather changes so quickly and you can't actually trust the forecast all the time. It sucks for the bike during winter due to salt. It sucks during spring due to sand and rain actually help wash it out. Riding in the rain is fun if you're geared for it. It sucks when you get wet. The bike won't mind rain if you protect it, but once rust starts, there's no stopping it without going through a lot of effort. The electricals/switches/connectors needs attention also. I spray them all with silicone.

 

[FZTurtle]

A thorough cleaning with kerosene (one of the recomended cleaning substances) takes off any and all crap and old lube, so the wax sticks just fine. After the first cleaning, its not an issue anymore. After 3500 miles, my chain and sprockets look brand new, without the slightest sign of wear. I used chain wax (Maxima) on my dirt bike for 5 years, same chain and rear sprock, only changing the front one to drop a tooth. I put a bazillion miles on that thing, and 6 or 7 rear tires, but never needed a new chain or sprockets.