Cleaning bugs off your bike

[Guest]

What to use thats safe on the paint and works good to get smashed bugs off?
only 2 roads to get where I live, both country roads and at night, in the summer, theres alott of bugs out

Try to get them off asap, but sometimes I either forget or too much in a hurry at the time.

[fastbysuzuki]

Put a damp towel/rag over the affected areas it softens the bugs and make it easy to get them off.

[roeme]

Yup, seconded. Soak them for a bit.

[Steve]

I'll third that.

Warm water seems to work a bit better. I don't have much problem around home, but when I travel, I keep a wet microfiber cloth in a zip-loc bag in the saddlebag. When I stop for gas, I lay the rag over the windshield while I am filling the tank. By the time the tank is full, the bugs are soft and wipe right off. When the bike is parked for the evening, the rag is applied to the rest of the bike. When done, it's all rinsed out, the water is replaced in readiness for the next day.

A good coat of wax on a clean bike also helps to keep the bugs from sticking in the first place, but you probably do that, anyway.

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[tkent02]

Just cover the bugs with mud and go find more.

[trevor]

Pledge....lemon.

[Fjbj40]

Bounce sheet, the ones you put in with your clothes in the dryer. Wet one and rub on bugs for 10-15 seconds, hose them right off, you will be impressed how well it works!

of course it will be hard to do on the engine, I have been tempted to try the liquid softener there.

[robertbarr]

When I have water (hose, actually) -- keep them wet for a while whilst doing other cleaning, and then I use a little Dawn dish soap on my bare hands to clean them off. That way, I can feel any stubborn critters, and if I need a bit more coercion, I can use a damp fingernail. Especially for plexiglass!

Without a hose, I use Steve's approach, just on the windshield.

[storm 64]

I don't soak them. I like them a little crispy, with ketchup. ☺

[Wingsconsin]

Hydrogen Peroxide -
Just put some in a squirt/spray bottle - when you spritz them they will start to bubble as they break down
They soften and just wipe right off