Bike Washing Question
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
RE: Bike Washing Question
I agree with Bill. I have ridden through rain so heavy I thought I was in one of the many lakes around here. Just like cars, they are designed to be used in and out of the rain.
My humble opinion
Sanford
My humble opinion
Sanford
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: Bike Washing Question
ORIGINAL: billnourse
Why does everyone think these things are the Mona Lisa? They are motorcycles. They are designed to ridden in all kinds of weather, including pouring rain.
On one trip alone I rode for nearly 800 miles in a steady downpour. There were 14 other bikes with me, and many more on the road, and I didn't see one breakdown due to the bike being waterlogged.
Don't hit the bike directly around the wheel bearings, carb, or electrical stuff with a real high pressure car wash wand, but don't worry about using soap and water to wash it.
Regards,
Bill
Why does everyone think these things are the Mona Lisa? They are motorcycles. They are designed to ridden in all kinds of weather, including pouring rain.
On one trip alone I rode for nearly 800 miles in a steady downpour. There were 14 other bikes with me, and many more on the road, and I didn't see one breakdown due to the bike being waterlogged.
Don't hit the bike directly around the wheel bearings, carb, or electrical stuff with a real high pressure car wash wand, but don't worry about using soap and water to wash it.
Regards,
Bill
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, MN
RE: Bike Washing Question
When I bought my Harley, I never wanted ANYTHING bad to ever happen, I mean it's my baby. So I wash my bike with a Q-tip and an eyedropper. I do a very small area with the Q-Tip and then quickly apply a drop or two of water to rinse. And immediately hand dry, nothing fake like a blower or something. Takes me 9 hours to do the whole bike, I start Saturday morning at 8:00 AM and finish around 5:00 PM or so. Then it's off to dinner with my wife (in the car) and then back home and go to bed. I never get to ride it, but it always looks good when the neighbors wander over to gaze.
(/sarcasm}
Geez guys, it's a bike, throw some water on it and ride!
BTW, a good friend suggested the window cleaner you attach to your hose to clean your upstairs windows from the ground. Spray it on, hose it off, hand dry! Done!
(/sarcasm}
Geez guys, it's a bike, throw some water on it and ride!
BTW, a good friend suggested the window cleaner you attach to your hose to clean your upstairs windows from the ground. Spray it on, hose it off, hand dry! Done!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 5
From: Concord, CA
RE: Bike Washing Question
I've been in so much rain lately, if it was gonna have a problem, it would have.
I hit a puddle the other day that was sooo deep, it nealy knocked my feet off the floorboards.
No problems.
When I wash, I take off the seat when drying. Never found any water or evidence of it where it shouldn't be.
If its nice enough to wash it, its nice enough to ride.
I hit a puddle the other day that was sooo deep, it nealy knocked my feet off the floorboards.
No problems.
When I wash, I take off the seat when drying. Never found any water or evidence of it where it shouldn't be.
If its nice enough to wash it, its nice enough to ride.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 1
From: Iwakuni, Japan
RE: Bike Washing Question
WOW I wash mine with a High Pressure washer all the time. Spary it down with S-100 Cleaner and spray away with cold water. T remove seat and Tank Console as well and wash all that as well. Haven't had any issues and the other 2 guys at work have been doing the same for 3 years with no issues. I think these bikes kind of like getting wet. Know mine seems to shine and ride extra well after a good cleaning.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,187
Likes: 1
From: Rhode Island
RE: Bike Washing Question
I soap mine and use the power washer on a light setting......No problems.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 441
Likes: 6
From: Reading Pa
RE: Bike Washing Question
I agree that you don't have to baby it when washing but on the rain situation,,, I have the stage one kit and maybe something is wrong on my A/C but I got caught in a downpour on the highway and was running in the "roostertails" of the cars in front of me which was a lot of water, and my bike cutout on me at 60 Sputtered and knocked and died Pulled over and it wouldn't restart. I had to real pump on the gas to get it to start to try to start. After a few minutes of twisting throttle, finally started and took off again (had to get home) 5 miles later did it again. After finally restarting, pulled off highway at gas station to sit out rain, met a bike wrench (metrics) and he warned I was getting water in the carb and if it gets too bad I can bend a rod. Got me, sounded like a doomsday scenario but was a fact it would not run in heavy downpour. Next day contacted dealer, said no damage, but expalined with the bigger A/C the wrap around cover soesn't sheild the entire filter and water can get in if heavy. Advise to pull over in downpours Sound right to you guys?