washing

[ben1888]

this is going to sound stupid to most of you but this is all new to me, whats the deal with washing your bike is it ok to use a jetwash/hose or will this damage the electrics on the bike.
cheers Ben

[Rawwr]

I do everything that's metallic by hand and the fairings with a jetwash.

[ben1888]

cheers m8, don't want to wreck it before i've got a chance to use it.

[Rawwr]

You'll probably find - especially on the wheels - there's just some shit that won't come off even under the power of a jetwash. That's when it's time to grab the engine cleaner and an old rag.

[ben1888]

cheers for the advice, time to start scrubbing, chrome's looking a bit dull too have to give it a bit of a clean up....

[tycho]

Be wary of putting the hose too near the wheel hubs as it can blast the grease out of the bearings. I usually take mine to the local jetwash and get close on the plastics but stay about 5 foot away for the wheels etc.

[Davel]

If you use a jetwash, just keep it a distance from the bike to stop water being forced into places where it shouldn't go.

They can be very useful provided you're careful.

[dern]

Davel said:

They can be very useful provided you're careful.

I've only washed the blade with one once and I think they're garbage. You have to get so close with them to shift the dirt that you risk peeling the stickers off (I did) and even then the bugger isn't clean. Bucket, sponge, rinse off with a hose... much quicker, won't do any damage (you'll be really pushed to degrease a wheel bearing with a hose), job done.

The only good thing a pressure washer is good for is cleaning the drive unless you're into off-roading I imagine.

>> Edited by dern on Monday 30th January 17:30

[m1spw]

Am I right in guessing that if you just wash it with a bucket and hot soapy water the electrics won't be affected - they are all waterproof I'm guessing.

I havn't cleaned my bike properly yet, its just has a quick hose down to get some surface muck off. Really needs to be washed this weekend, then time for a very long run

[dern]

m1spw said:

Am I right in guessing that if you just wash it with a bucket and hot soapy water the electrics won't be affected - they are all waterproof I'm guessing.

Yes or they'd stop in the rain... just don't aim a hose at any boxes with wires coming out.

[rsvmilly]

I always rinse the bike from the front to the back, so the hose never sprays into the cockpit or up the exhaust.

[dern]

rsvmilly said:

I always rinse the bike from the front to the back, so the hose never sprays into the cockpit or up the exhaust.

I always spray the hose all over the instruments and it's never done any harm but then it's not italian

Not getting water into the exhaust is a good plan. Normally there's a drain hole but I guess it can get blocked.

[rsvmilly]

dern said:

Not getting water into the exhaust is a good plan. Normally there's a drain hole but I guess it can get blocked.

Plastic bag stuffed in it solves this, though.