I've done it when I'm out on the road on extended trips. No big deal, just be careful around air cleaner/guages, and electrical connections. Great for wheels after grimey road driving.

 

No pressure washing for me, even if I had to hand-wash the bike every three days... I would only pressure wash the bottom of the oil pan if I was trying to clean up from a leak. Otherwise, no way. Having a Vivid Black bike, I did resort to buying a bike cover that I came across on sale at my local Harley dealer and that helps quite a bit, but black bike is never going to stay clean for long.

 

Got room for something like my Cycle Shell? I use it inside the carport to help with dust and salt air. Just park on the matt, flip the aft bow with one hand and pop in the pin.

 

I used to all the time. Never a problem. Just use common sense stand back some and no need to pull the trigger for the real hard spray. I wet it down, use the soap from the brush and scrub it with my wash mitt and rinse. 5 bucks and I'm done. You are not going to hurt anything.

If you are worried about the excessive dirt I would get a cover, cycle shell, cycle barn etc.

 

+1

You have to be smart and do it correctly. being doing it forever without issues. Just keep the nozzle at least 12 inches from the surface and you should be ok. The painted portions of the bike do not need pressure washing so there should not be an issue of paint flaking because of it.

 

Ok so I gotta ask.....what is the advantage of the cycle shell over the harley davidson bubble other than its durability?

 

1.It was free. My buddy sold his bike several months ago and is moving back to the Mainland next week.

2.I ride pretty much every day and I can uncover or cover the bike in 2 seconds.

3.My carport faces the ocean a few houses away and it can get pretty windy. The Shell is rated to 50 mph.

4.Thieves passing by can't see my bike and I can still use my cable lock and battery tender.

5.No electricity or noise.

6.The cover can be replaced for bout $100.

That bubble would probably be great if I had a fully enclosed garage and didn't ride nearly every day year round.

 

I'm with Rap on this. I too have used pressure washers for 40+ years. You do have to be smart about where you point that thing though. Best thing I ever did was to buy a used pressure washer & a Blaster dryer. Pricey, but saves a WHOLE lot of work!! I also agree with those who suggest a good cover (I'm sure you've already got one).

 

I have an electric pressure washer but I think that by the time I drag it out and connect everything I could be half done with the hand wash. I do use an electric leaf blower to dry it off; though.

 

I use the local car wash (with wand) when I go to Daytona. Parking your bike right at some beachfront hotel has it coated in a layer of wet salt water every morning when you get up. Like others have said "You have to be smarter than the wand". Don't hold the thing there under full pressure an inch away from wheel bearings and other places pressurized water can blow into.