water, diluted mild detergent
with water may be used. Be
sure to rinse off any detergent
residue using plenty of water,
as it is harmful to plastic parts.
●Do not use any harsh chemical
products on plastic parts. Be
sure to avoid using cloths or
sponges which have been in
contact with strong or abrasive
cleaning products, solvent or
thinner, fuel (gasoline), rust
removers or inhibitors, brake
fluid, antifreeze or electrolyte.
●Do not use high-pressure was-
hers or steam-jet cleaners sin-
ce they cause water seepage
and deterioration in the follo-
wing areas: seals (of wheel and
swingarm bearings, fork and
brakes), electric components
(couplers, connectors, instru-
ments, switches and lights),
breather hoses and vents.
●For motorcycles equipped with
a windshield: Do not use strong
cleaners or hard sponges as
they will cause dulling or scrat-
ching. Some cleaning com-pounds for plastic may leave
scratches on the windshield.
Test the product on a small hid-
den part of the windshield to
make sure that it does not lea-
ve any marks. If the windshield
is scratched, use a quality
plastic polishing compound
after washing.
After normal use
Remove dirt with warm water, a mild
detergent, and a soft, clean sponge,
and then rinse thoroughly with clean
water. Use a toothbrush or bottle-
brush for hard-to-reach areas. Stub-
born dirt and insects will come off
more easily if the area is covered with
a wet cloth for a few minutes before
cleaning.
After riding in the rain, near the sea or
on salt-sprayed roads
Since sea salt or salt sprayed on
roads during winter are extremely
corrosive in combination with water,
carry out the following steps aftereach ride in the rain, near the sea or
on salt-sprayed roads.
TIP
Salt sprayed on roads in the winter
may remain well into spring.
1. Clean the motorcycle with cold
water and a mild detergent, after
the engine has cooled down.
NOTICE: Do not use warm
water since it increases the
corrosive action of the salt.
[ECA10791]
2. Apply a corrosion protection
spray on all metal, including
chrome- and nickel-plated, surfa-
ces to prevent corrosion.
After cleaning
1. Dry the motorcycle with a cha-
mois or an absorbing cloth.
2. Immediately dry the drive chain
and lubricate it to prevent it from
rusting.
3. Use a chrome polish to shine
chrome, aluminum and stainless-
steel parts, including the exhaust
system. (Even the thermally indu-
ced discoloring of stainless-steel
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from building up. Pour the drai-
ned fuel into the fuel tank.
4. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.
5. Perform the following steps to
protect the cylinder, piston rings,
etc. from corrosion.
a Remove the spark plug cap
and spark plug.
b Pour a teaspoonful of engine
oil into the spark plug bore.
c Install the spark plug cap
onto the spark plug, and then
place the spark plug on the
cylinder head so that the
electrodes are grounded.
(This will limit sparking during
the next step.)
d Turn the engine over several
times with the starter. (This
will coat the cylinder wall with
oil.)
e Remove the spark plug cap
from the spark plug, and then
install the spark plug and the
spark plug cap. WARNING!
To prevent damage or injuryfrom sparking, make sure
to ground the spark plug
electrodes while turning the
engine over.
[EWA10951]
6. Lubricate all control cables and
the pivoting points of all levers
and pedals as well as of the
sidestand/centerstand.
7. Check and, if necessary, correct
the tire air pressure, and then lift
the motorcycle so that both of its
wheels are off the ground. Alter-
natively, turn the wheels a little
every month in order to prevent
the tires from becoming degra-
ded in one spot.
8. Cover the muffler outlet with a
plastic bag to prevent moisture
from entering it.
9. Remove the battery and fully
charge it. Store it in a cool, dry
place and charge it once a
month. Do not store the battery in
an excessively cold or warm pla-
ce [less than 0 °C (30 °F) or more
than 30 °C (90 °F)]. For more
information on storing the bat-
tery, see page 6-30.
TIP
Make any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle.
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