R1200RS + R1250RS Forum
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Mon Jun 16, 2025 2:04 am (Last edited: Mon Jun 16, 2025 2:05 am)
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Fortunately I live in a dry climate, but there are still bugs. I always wipe down my bike after each ride with wet microfiber towels, but it's the radiator I'm asking about...what's the method you use to clean the bugs out? I've been just washing the radiator with a low pressure spray attachment on the garden hose when I wash the bike and it works pretty well, but there are some embedded bugs that don't fall to this method. |
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Perhaps you could try an old toothbrush to clean between the cooling fins. And then back-flush the body of the radiator with a hose.
Current motorcycle collection: 2002 Yamaha FZ1; 2020 KTM 390 Duke; 2009 BMW F650GS; 2018 Zero S 16.6 kWh
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I just spray with the garden hose. If bad, I’ll use a “wheel brush” (moderately stiff bristles) to scrub the fins to loosen up the guts so they will spray off.
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I'm always cautious of doing damage to the soft aluminum fins of the radiator. I just flush with a low-pressure hose. Next time I think I'll try a soft toothbrush. Reverse flushing would be good but it's so awkward.
Eventual master of the obvious
2020 BMW R1250RS Sport Austin yellow |
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Zitat von zer0netgain im Beitrag #4 Using any kind of brush (even soft), if not used cautiously, can bend those fins easily. Sounds like just a flush with water (what I've been doing) is going to have to suffice. I have heard of spraying hydrogen peroxide on the bugs and that it'll disintigrate them, followed by a water flush, but like anything on the internet it bears taking with a grain of salt. |
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Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #6 they will be quite well baked so give them a good soak first, in soapy water (stuff suitable for vehicles not domestic stuff that contains salt, although the latter is excellent at removing bugs from a helmet). Leave for a while for the detergent to penetrate, then it should be easier to rinse them off.
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I cut a piece of screen door screen to fit over the front of the radiator. Almost invisible. Did this from new and it is easily removeable to clean if it gets fouled which hasn't happened in 12,000 miles. Maybe try this after you get it acceptably cleaned. We've got an abundance of bugs in Texas!
2023 R1250RS- 12,000 mi. 2yr., 2003 R1100S Boxer Cup Replika #6/200, 1985 K100/1100RS- 331,000 mi. 40 yrs., 2017 R1200RS- 51,070 mi, 5 yrs, (gone), 2016 R1200RS- 28,322 mi. 18 mo. (gone), 2011 R1200RT- 30,000 mi. 2 yr. (gone), 2005 R1200ST- 58,000 mi. 8 yr. 3rd deer killed it, 1999 R1100S- 15,000 mi. 2 yr. (gone), 1996 Ducati 900SS/SP- 89,000 mi. 12 yr. (gone), 500,000+ BMW miles
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do gas stations and/or car shops sell insect remover sprays in the US? example https://www.sonax.com/en/care-products/i...500-ml-05332000
Year-round riding enthusiast i.e. seasonal motorcycle popsicle.
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