Pressure Washer
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 13
From: Sussex, South of England
The jet of the washer will make more swirling on your paint than a gentle rinse followed by a hand wash. This especially when you live in an area with sandy soil.
I wouldn't use one.
I wouldn't use one.
I have had electric and gas. The gas will give you higher pressure which is not important for the bike. The Elec is all you need for a bike and with most all of them you can regulate the pressure at the nozzle from a very strong jet spray to a wider pattern with less force. I prefer the elec around the house because its lighter and much easier to mess with for cleaning the deck, concrete patios, horse watering troughs etc..... I find lots of use for mine.
That said my Harley never gets dirty enough that I feel I need a pressure washer although I use it once or twice a year on the spokes just to make it easier.
That said my son raced MX across the country for 15 years and the pressure washer was my go to tool for cleaning race and practice bikes often between motos if the track was muddy. On average his MX bikes probably saw a pressure washer on an almost daily basis often multiple times a day and never had an issue. I never directed the jet at hubs or elec connections, just use common sense. My Yamaha Rhino has always been washed by my pressure washer as well and have used it on multiple pick up trucks of mine that were caked with mud and never damaged the paint of course I dialed back the pressure a bit on painted surfaces.
To sum it up I don't think you will hurt your Harley with a pressure washer if you dial the nozzle back from a jet to a wider stream. But like I said I dont see getting enough dirt mud on mine that I feel a pressure washer is needed
That said my Harley never gets dirty enough that I feel I need a pressure washer although I use it once or twice a year on the spokes just to make it easier.
That said my son raced MX across the country for 15 years and the pressure washer was my go to tool for cleaning race and practice bikes often between motos if the track was muddy. On average his MX bikes probably saw a pressure washer on an almost daily basis often multiple times a day and never had an issue. I never directed the jet at hubs or elec connections, just use common sense. My Yamaha Rhino has always been washed by my pressure washer as well and have used it on multiple pick up trucks of mine that were caked with mud and never damaged the paint of course I dialed back the pressure a bit on painted surfaces.
To sum it up I don't think you will hurt your Harley with a pressure washer if you dial the nozzle back from a jet to a wider stream. But like I said I dont see getting enough dirt mud on mine that I feel a pressure washer is needed
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, ON, Canada
Ive washed my last 10 bikes with pressure washers over the last 20 years and have never had an issue. Like was mentioned, just don't be careless and spray for long periods of time around electronics and wheel bearings, etc. Ive tried the dry wash stuff and it just doesnt get enough road grime and crap off the bike I find. Nothing beats a good pressure wash.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 97
From: Corona, Ca
Just dont use the pressure washed in the gaps of your motor. It could destroy the gaskets...that being said, I have washed all my dirtbike for the past 20 years with a pressure washer, just dont be a dumkopf
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
My Father, rest his soul. Taught me to wash our bikes without water, which was basically using very little, more of a sponge bath. Now days, sometimes I use running water out of the hose and it never fails, I say "sorry Dad".
If I were to ever use a pressure washer, just as sure as im typing this, he would crawl out and kick my ***.
If I were to ever use a pressure washer, just as sure as im typing this, he would crawl out and kick my ***.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 120
Likes: 33
From: Elkhorn, NE
I bought this one and really like it:
http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...615812.1776453
Without pulling the handle, it has a pretty gentle spray, just a bit stronger than a garden hose probably. I hardly ever pull the trigger when washing the bike, but it is handy on the underside and on tires. It is strong enough it does a good job on the truck, lawn mowers, patio, etc.
http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...615812.1776453
Without pulling the handle, it has a pretty gentle spray, just a bit stronger than a garden hose probably. I hardly ever pull the trigger when washing the bike, but it is handy on the underside and on tires. It is strong enough it does a good job on the truck, lawn mowers, patio, etc.