Prep

Remember to remove anything you don’t want to get soaking wet, such as tank bags and GPS, for example. Get all your bits together – you’ll need a bucket, liquid detergent, degreaser, bug remover, some lubricant, a toothbrush (preferably an old one and not your partner’s) a brush, tyre cleaner, paint and metal polish, microfibre cloths and a chamois. Don’t be tempted to jump straight off and start cleaning. Let your bike cool down first, especially after a long ride.

Wash often but not too much

This is a tricky one to get right. You want to do it frequently enough, so you notice problems early on and keep your machine in the best possible condition, but too much and you can wash away useful lubricants. Consider what kind of a ride you’ve just had and whether a full-on wash is required or perhaps just a gentle wipe down. If you notice a problem during your washing routine, you’ll be thinking – where do I find a motorbike repair shop near me?

A little water and the right cleaning fluid

You don’t want to use too much water and make sure you have the correct cleaning fluid for the job. Ideally, you want a cleaning agent specific for the purpose and don’t use all-purpose general household cleaners or anything abrasive. The perfect cleaner will have a neutral pH balance so as not to damage paint work. Beware that vinyl cleaners will buff up your seat nicely but make it slippery!

To high-pressure clean or not?

If your pride and joy is covered in hard caked on mud, a high-pressure wash can be highly effective. However, water at a high force can intrude into electrics and places you really don’t it to pool as it could cause corrosion. If you want to pressure wash your bike, be sure to keep it away from electronics, the brakes and the chain. Don’t use a pressure washer over 2000 psi and beware, you can rip vinyl seats with a high-pressure wash.

Separate rags and sponges

Try to have a different pile of rags, cloths, sponges and brushes for different areas of your bike to avoid smearing grease on places you don’t want to. Microfibre cloths are great for being gentle on a variety of surfaces. An old toothbrush is handy for removing grime from small, hard to reach crevices. For burnt-on grease and dirt on chrome exhaust pipes, some fine-grade steel wool should do the trick.

 Wax on, wax off

Be sure you’re using the right wax for your bike. Some modern bikes have a layer of lacquer or plastic which is susceptible to damage. Always use a soft wax, if you’re using car wax on your machine. If you’re not sure, test a small patch on an unseen area first, then look at it in direct sunlight to see if it leaves swirls behind. Place the wax on a cloth, not directly onto your bodywork. Once it’s dry, buff it off with a cloth that doesn’t leave lint behind!

World War II bombs took out all of the production facilities of the Borgo Panigale plant, but like many other famous brands, the name Ducati rose from the ashes like a phoenix in the post-war world.

Initially, Ducati motorcycles were simple motors attached to normal bicycles. By the early 1950s, the firm were making motor scooters and by the end of the decade, Ducati were making a name for themselves in the world of racing.

A lot of the racing success was down to their chief engineer, Fabio Taglioni. He was the one who created the firm’s desmodromic valve set-up. For those who have never heard that name before, a desmodromic valve is an engine valve system that is closed by a cam and leverage system, rather than by a more traditional spring. In a normal four-stroke engine, the valves are opened by a cam and then closed by return spring. The desmodromic system consists of 2 cams with 2 actuators, each one used for positive opening and closing without the need for a return spring.

One of his most notable creations was the Ducati 250 Twin which was raced by the legend Mike Hailwood.

The next twenty years saw Ducati rise to stardom in the racing world. Rider Paul Smart won the Imola 200 in 1972 on a desmodromic 750 Twin. Mike Hailwood came out of retirement to win the Isle of Man TT in 1978 on a 900cc Supersport Twin.

During the early 1980s, the company was bought by the Castiglioni family and then merged with the Cagiva Group. Success didn’t end there though, with further triumphs on the racetracks with the 851 and 916 superbikes. One notable event during the Castiglioni era was the introduction of one of their most popular lines – the Monster. This was a pure street bike designed by Miguel Galuzzi of Argentina.

The middle of the 1990s saw further change due to a tough economic climate. Ducati was sold to the U.S investment firm, Texas Pacific Group. The popular lines continued production and Ducati carried on winning at the World Superbike Series with Carl Fogarty.

For street bikes, Ducati decided to extend the lines available with the 916 being evolved into the controversial 999 styles. The 1098 came next, followed by the 1198. The firm’s Superbike racer is undoubtedly the 1098R high spec with traction control. The mid-range offering is the 848, evolved from the 749. However, Ducati’s most impressive machine in the sportbike category must be the Desmosedici RR – a production model based on the Ducati GP racer.

One of Ducati’s best-selling lines remains the Monster range. The current models include the 696 and 1100 which were recently joined by the 2009 Streetfighter – a stripped down version of the 1098 Superbike. Make sure you get your Ducati taken care of at a ducati repairs and servicing specialist.

Some other Ducati bikes include the Multistrada and the Sportclassics lines. The Sportsclassics lines are based on classic Ducati bikes and come with a Desmo 1000 air-cooled L-Twin engine. They are styled along the traditional lines of the GT1000, GT1000 Touring and the Sport 1000S.

Terminator 2

Who can forget Arnie sitting astride that Harley-Davidson Fat Boy? Most movie-makers will heavily modify a bike or even create a purpose-built machine, but this bad boy was the real deal. Some of the most legendary moments of the film involved stunts on that bike, like the leap from bridge into the aqueduct. The rider in the stunts was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s body stunt double, Peter Kent.

The Wild One

Marlon Brando rides a Triumph Thunderbird 6T in this 1953 movie. The biking scenes in this movie had a profound effect on many a young rider back in the 50s and 60s. One of the most famous and iconic shots ever taken of a motorbike is the one in which Brando is posing next to the Thunderbird. The bike was destroyed after filming and was said to have been nothing special!

Easy Rider

Another defining motorbike movie, Easy Rider must be the most famous biking movie ever produced. Whilst a flight of fancy from real bike ownership, the vehicles used in the filming must be the most iconic motorcycles ever on the big screen. The bike that Dennis Hopper rode has become known as the ‘Billy Bike’ after Hopper’s character. It was a Harley Hydra-Glide that had previously been a police bike. Two were purchased and modified for filming but both stolen and never seen again just before filming finished! Perhaps they should have thought about fitting motorcycle security!

The Great Escape

It doesn’t matter how much green paint you apply to a Triumph Trophy, it’s never going to pass as a German military BMW R75. That didn’t seem to matter to the makers of The Great Escape though who still managed to put motorbikes on the map with the 60s Triumph of Steve McQueen and that famous jump scene. After filming, the bike was given to a farmer for herding his cows but since restored to former glory, belonging to a collector.

Pulp Fiction

Tarantino is one of the most exciting writers and directors of the modern era and he loves adding a bike or two to his movies. The whole ‘Zed’s Dead’ scene in Pulp Fiction builds up beautifully to reveal a fairly average 1986 customised FXR but with ‘Grace’ emblazoned on the side and a conversation about it not being a motorbike but a ‘chopper baby’.

The Matrix

It was a Ducati 996 that appeared in the movie although the company were already selling the 998 when the movie was released. Ducati made a number of limited edition bikes to link up with the release of the film. Figures are unknown, but rumour has it that 150 special edition Matrix Ducati’s were produced, making them pretty rare. The only real difference with these special edition bikes was dark green bodywork and some decals.

R 120 RS

For those who love to take their bike on long open road journeys, this model’s mix of sporty prowess and touring capabilities make it a great choice. The sportiness keeps the long rides exciting, as well as having a solid 125hp for plenty of power on hand. It comes with all the modern rider-assist technology that one would expect for 21st century biking and looks pretty sharp too! Always give your motorcycle a health check before embarking on a tour, such as BMW motorcycles servicing at a professional specialist garage.

S 1000 RR

If you absolutely want a sports bike in your life, then you can’t go far wrong with the S 1000 RR. Hitting the roads for the first time in 2009, it was BMW’s first proper sports bike and it made an explosive impact. With a low wet weight of only 449lbs and a 199hp engine – this is one fun ride! This is definitely a machine for track days and back roads, it’s not so comfortable for prolonged rides or the urban crawl – but if you’re looking for 0-60 in less than 3 seconds then this bike will leave you giggling.

F 800 GS

Any list of BMW motorcycles would not be complete without mentioning the GS range. Originally debuting in 1980, starting the adventure-touring range – the F 800 is the only GS still in production. While many would argue that the R 1200 GS sells better, the F 800 is better for speed, maneuverability and ease of handling. While other bikes in the range have much going for them, the F 800 provides the ideal balance of all these elements.

R nineT

Whilst not the fastest BMW bike available on the market, the R nineT offers an iconic BMW of the past, brought to life in a 21st century reincarnation. Based on the original classic R90/6, this motorcycle is all about touring. It’s comfortable on those long rides with a great upright seat position which provides good command and confidence on the bike, as well as avoiding lower back ache. It is perfect both on the back roads and in making a seamless transition to urban riding. Aesthetically, it exudes the elegance that BMW has become well-known for.

G310 GS

This brand new lightweight adventure bike has been designed to offer the urban rider ultimate manoeuvrability and light off-road capabilities. This is the ideal choice for commuters and new riders alike, being both light, compact and reasonably priced. Despite the low-price tag, the bike remains visually impressive as you’d expect from BMW and even with the smaller engine, the ride is as smooth as butter, with plenty of power to leave you smiling!