BP, Just another way to approach general cleaning of your bike. I have never hosed my bike off since new. Don't like getting water in the delicate places on the bike under pressure, that's just me. But considering you don't have the luxury of a hose and space to wash, consider my method.

Buy a nice supply of micro fiber cloths at the local department store or auto parts store, they last a long time if you keep them clean. Start with the windshield so that you are washing it with a new clean cloth. Wipe a moderate area clean, turning the cloth often and then immediately dry with a second cloth. Rinse often in a bucket of plain hot water and then rinse the cloth again in a second bucket to get as much dirt out of the cloth as possible. Continue in this way working from the top to the bottom (cleanest part of the bike first finishing with the dirtiest). The key being to keep the cloth rinsed often. When you are done the bike will be clean as new and it will take you less than 30 minutes.

I like to use a little spray "Wax-As-You-Dry" type wax every once in a while while doing the dry off step to help protect the finish.

I usually end up using 4 to 6 cloths each time I clean and just throw them in with my whites when I do my laundry. Depending on how dirty the bike gets I do one of these cleanings about once or twice a week. I still get comments that the bike looks like I just rolled it out of the show room. (15500 miles)

I know this sounds like a pain but believe me once you get used to the routine it just seems like a few minutes and a sparkling bike once again. As a matter of fact for those that try to dry their bikes after the traditional hose bath, I would be willing to bet I could clean my entire bike, dried spotless in less time than they spend just drying the bike off. Oh and I have never laid the bike over for cleaning, don't seem to need to.

Just my alternative way to keep her looking new. Take it or leave it.

varyder - 2010-10-05 6:34 AM a good motorcycle jack can give you enough lift to clean the wheels, probably better than on the tip overs.

Agreed. This would be my solution as well, although I didn't have a lift until just a few days ago. With the lift you can clean the wheels in less than 5 minutes each. Without it does take more effort. Our buddy in NYC my not have that option so he may just have to do the "rub and roll" method on the wheels, takes more time but if you clean often it really doesn't take much effort. If you can get a lift do it.

Again this may not be everyones method of choice, it's just one that doesn't require a garden hose, 200 gallons of water, soap, sponges, a blow dryer and extension cord to get the bike clean. 

Two buckets of very hot water, 6 cloths and some spray wax if you like is all it takes. End result is spotless clean and no spray from the nooks and crannies the first time time you ride after a wash job. ;-)