How do you wash your bagger?
Thread Starter
|
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,114
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver B.C. Canada
How do you wash your bagger?
My buddy bought a brand new Street Glide a month ago, he is not sure if he has to cover the instrument panel while washing the bike, are they waterproof? How do you clean yours? Thanks Alex
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From:
RE: How do you wash your bagger?
I have an 07 SG. First time washing I did not cover and had some electrical problems for a few hours. Stereo and lights were going off and on at random. Now I keep water away from the dash.
Fly
Fly
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 1
From: NJ
RE: How do you wash your bagger?
Glad this came up, I am ready to wash my SG for the first time and was wondering about this. The dealer told he blasts everything on his Ultra with the hose and hasno problems, but for some reason I trust you guys more than the salesman.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: Washington
RE: How do you wash your bagger?
I use a power washer to rinse with before and after I get it all suds up so I always avoid blasting my dash with high pressure water. I hand wash the dash after I'm finished. Never a problem with water but I wouldn't expect one anyway (she's always getting very wet in the rain anyway).
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
RE: How do you wash your bagger?
Funny, I just washed my Road King yesturday.
I know it doesnt have the stereo and stuff but I have always gone by the saying that"Harleys are made to ride in the rain" so you cant hurt it washing it. I hosed it down, soaped it up, scrubbed it down, and dried it off.
Spent two hours detailing it up nice. Had the stereo going and the german sheppard hanging out with me.
Did the full on carnuba wax, and everything.
I did use the air hose to dry it off a little with a nice towel.
One thing I always do is take it for a ride after so that all the moisture is dried off.
I like to heat it up a little and get all the water off before I put it way for the night.
I know it doesnt have the stereo and stuff but I have always gone by the saying that"Harleys are made to ride in the rain" so you cant hurt it washing it. I hosed it down, soaped it up, scrubbed it down, and dried it off.
Spent two hours detailing it up nice. Had the stereo going and the german sheppard hanging out with me.
Did the full on carnuba wax, and everything.
I did use the air hose to dry it off a little with a nice towel.
One thing I always do is take it for a ride after so that all the moisture is dried off.
I like to heat it up a little and get all the water off before I put it way for the night.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
RE: How do you wash your bagger?
I hate using a hose because I found on my old bike all the hardware became corroded from the water hardness. In between major cleanings I use a spray wax on a dusting cloth and give it a hand job. But sometimes you need to do a major cleaning, but I always use an air hose to blow dry the water off, the give it at least a coat of spray wax if not a major detail job. I would never use a steam or pressure washer as water or moisture will get into electrical connections or even components. My .02
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 1
From: NJ
RE: How do you wash your bagger?
ORIGINAL: bagman1
give it a hand job.
give it a hand job.
You do what to that poor bike????
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 815
Likes: 50
From: Grand Rapids, MI.
RE: How do you wash your bagger?
Although people advise against it, I use the dollar high pressure wash bay. I remove the seat. I start with high pressure rinse
to cool engine and exhaust, then I use presoak over entire bike except dash. I go around bike a couple
times making sure to get between saddlebags and rear fender, tires, wheels, engine, and so on.
I then high pressure rinse paying attention to all forward facing parts of bike ie: fairing, engine gaurds,
forks front of saddlebags, you get the idea. I then set the seat back on and pull out and wipe the whole
bike down with Microfiber towels. When removing the seat, don't let your G/D $16.00 thumbscrew fall
into the grate. It's a mess down there (it stinks also). I've never had any issues with any electrical failure.
After everything has been wiped down I hit the highway for a few miles to insure its all dry.
Any way you do it, Ride it more than you wash it !
to cool engine and exhaust, then I use presoak over entire bike except dash. I go around bike a couple
times making sure to get between saddlebags and rear fender, tires, wheels, engine, and so on.
I then high pressure rinse paying attention to all forward facing parts of bike ie: fairing, engine gaurds,
forks front of saddlebags, you get the idea. I then set the seat back on and pull out and wipe the whole
bike down with Microfiber towels. When removing the seat, don't let your G/D $16.00 thumbscrew fall
into the grate. It's a mess down there (it stinks also). I've never had any issues with any electrical failure.
After everything has been wiped down I hit the highway for a few miles to insure its all dry.
Any way you do it, Ride it more than you wash it !
