Ultra owners: Question about washing the bike
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 84
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From: Idaho
Ultra owners: Question about washing the bike
So I've washed my bike several times already in the two weeks I've had it. I do my best to avoid getting the instrument/stereo panel and speakers wet, but always get some spray on there. Do you guys have any good tips for protecting those things or do you just not worry about it?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,146
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From: along the Front Range in Colorado
......... i wouldn't point the pressure washer right at the gauges, but random spray & splash can't be any worse than getting caught in the rain on an interstate a long way from an overpass.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 32
From: Houston, Texas
So I've washed my bike several times already in the two weeks I've had it. I do my best to avoid getting the instrument/stereo panel and speakers wet, but always get some spray on there. Do you guys have any good tips for protecting those things or do you just not worry about it?
Novice
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Lanesville, Indiana
When I wash my Ultra I put plastic grocery bags over my handlebar switches with a big rubber band to keep the bags in place. Had an 01 EG with heated handgrips that got full of water and ruined them. Luckily, they were still under warranty and the dealer replaced them. Every since then I've been very careful not to get water on the handgrips when washing the bike. Takes me about 2 hours to give the bike a good wash
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: 46th State, USA
The gauges and switches would normally get wet if you ever get cause in a hard rain but you need to do everything possible to keep from spaying pressurized water into or onto the switches and gauges. The gauges are not very well sealed from the factory and will get fogged up with moisture inside. I've always thought they could do a lot better job hermetically sealing the gauges.
Gauges and switches are not sealed for 2 reasons. It cost more to seal and they sell more replacements.
Gauges and switches are not sealed for 2 reasons. It cost more to seal and they sell more replacements.
Last edited by shortride; Jun 19, 2010 at 06:47 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,954
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From: Augusta, GA
I don't spray water directly on the instrumetn panel and just wipe it with a damp cloth to clean. I f you have heated grips I would definitely cover those because of the problems everyone seems to have with those.