Samcw Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I power washed my bike the other day… didn't leave any scratches or strip the paint at all, and I avoided spraying in the exhaust and air intake obviously, but now I'm wondering if that sort of high power water is messing up anything else I'm not thinking about. How often do y'all wash your bike?Do you do it with a bucket and sponge? Anyone else ever used the spray gun? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustinsn3485 Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I'll use a garden hose with a bucket and sponge for heavy cleaning. Usually I just do a wipedown with microfiber rags and spray cleaner. As far as frequency, spray cleaner before every ride. And I do an actual garden hose wash after bigger trips so maybe three times a year.A pressure washer seems like a bit overkill for a bike, bit I also don't see it being a major problem. Bikes get wet in the rain all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-bus Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Too many exposed wires and pieces and parts for a power wash. I would imagine that it would be prone to knocking something off or loose. I use a hose, rag, and pig snot cleaner ( just what I have). I then use a spray polish when done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snot Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Due to being caught in the rain numerous times this year, I have washed more often with the hose. Normally I just use a spray wax and wipe her down. For heavier dirt, I use a garden hose and mild soap, then wipe with spray wax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfman1 Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I usually wet wash with a sponge and a rag(no hose) and dry. Then finish with Honda polish (The Original). If the bike is really trashed I use Bike Brite with the pressure washer or hose. I don't use full pressure with pressure washer as you could force water into seals or areas that shouldn't see water. The pressure washer can also bend the fins on the radiator in a flash, so you have to be careful! I seem to remember a thread on cleaning the bike a while back. You may want to search for it. It has some good info on cleaning the bike and what everyone uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonik Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I use the power washer on occasion when I am traveling and it is all messed up. Just stand far away from the bike, no big deal. Been doing that for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavyDuty Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I know some guy that got up at 6am in the morning everyday while on a ride out west just to wash his bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAC Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Don't worry about it when you're on the road. At home, use a bucket, sponge and a mild dish soap. Since I ride a naked bike, I'll use some S100 first on the exposed, unpainted metal parts then brush it a bit and rinse it off real quick. Finish off with original bike spirits and plexus on the clear plastic stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I'll wash it whenever it gets dirty, which since I don't ride year round isn't a lot. Mostly just the wheels, spray detailer for the body panels when they get buggy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx3vfr Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Honda Spray Cleaner + microfiber towel /thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) Keep the high pressure spray away from critical parts like wheel bearings, hubs, steering head bearings, electrical connectors, instrument panel.I'd rather ride a bike that looked like it hadn't been recently detailed than a showroom clean bike with dry/rusty/gritty bearings and sketchy electrical problems.... Edited July 20, 2015 by Bubba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojocho Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Honda Spray Cleaner + microfiber towel /threadSame here. I have never used water or a hose. Pressure washer is a no-no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Garden hose, sponge and bucket with armorall carwash. Once every two years or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mango_sv Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 I use the power washer on occasion when I am traveling and it is all messed up. Just stand far away from the bike, no big deal. Been doing that for years.Same here. A bike is extremely well sealed. Think about being in rain at speed. The bike is getting blasted! Is that gonna ruin it? No. Don't be stupid and directly spray the chain, axles, swing arm piviot, ignition and thumb switches, etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anden Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Got caught in the rain today. All clean now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinNck1 Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 I usually soak the entire bike with a water hose. Lay a soaked absorber chamois over the windshield and nose. Wash the rest of the bike with soap and wash mit. Then come back to the nose and remove the chamois. Bugs wash off with no effort at all. I wax usually every 4-5 washes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r6Brent71 Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Don't use Dish Soap, it's hard on the paint and will strip any Wax off. Use Auto Wash Detergent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrown57 Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Usually once a week when I had mine. Mainly just used the supplies I have for my car (Detail spray and microfibers) for the plastics and some degreaser that we have here at work for the wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) I've washed mine 5 times in a little over 2 years. Usually utilize the 12 year old and $10 bill method. Edited July 20, 2015 by 2talltim 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) I used to own a self serve car wash. I can't tell you how many times I saw someone wash a motorcycle and it wouldn't start after. It was usually HDs or older UJMs, but not always. A typical car wash sprays water around 1200-1500 psi. That is too much for some semi-exposed motorcycle connections. I spray mine down with bug & tar remover in the driveway then wash with a hose and bucket. Edited July 20, 2015 by Tpoppa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swingset Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 I used to own a self serve car wash. I can't tell you how many times I saw someone wash a motorcycle and it wouldn't start after. It was usually HDs or older UJMs, but not always. A typical car wash sprays water around 1200-1500 psi. That is too much for some semi-exposed motorcycle connections. I spray mine down with bug & tar remover in the driveway then wash with a hose and bucket. Nothing wrong with a pressure washer, you just gotta be smart enough to know where it's safe to hit with full pressure and where you should back off and hit it lighter. Been washing dirt bikes and street bikes with one for years, never killed anything (including bearings). Pressure washer at a distance is no different than a garden hose, or rain, or riding through standing water. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh1234 Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Windex and paper towels for the bugs on the front. Windex & paper towels for garage dust on the rest. Laziness! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Some car washes (not many) even have motorcycle wash bays. I don't recall exactly, but I think the industry standard was around 700-800 psi for motorcycles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavyDuty Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Over the last 45 years I have washed everyone of my bikes at a car wash useing full pressure and have never had a bike not start afterward. Its the only way to really get them clean after riding in the rain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron505 Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 I only wash mine after I get caught in the rain, like Saturday. Otherwise, it's Elite Moto Shine with a microfiber towel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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