Washing the bike

[Grape]

Hello,
I would like some advice on washing the bike. Do you use a hose to spray it first as washing a car or just bucket and spunge? If hose, is the electronics water proofed so that I dont need to bother avoiding spraying certain areas? I got the advice from a dealer that I should wash it with the engine idling which would guarantee that any water entering the engine (i.e. due to a bad gasket etc) will boil away/forced out immediately. Should I listen to the dealer? Is this something you do when you wash the bike?

Thanks in advance. /Henrik

[keira]

I have washed my bike in the hose and bucket fashion. The bike can be ridden in the rain, so I don't see how rinsing it with a hose is much different? It probably isn't a bad idea to run the engine while doing it, but I don't think it is necessary. just don't drive it into lakes.

If you have a bad gasket, you would probably have noticed it before washing.

[CanadianFZ6]

Originally Posted by Grape

Hello,
I would like some advice on washing the bike. Do you use a hose to spray it first as washing a car or just bucket and spunge? If hose, is the electronics water proofed so that I dont need to bother avoiding spraying certain areas? I got the advice from a dealer that I should wash it with the engine idling which would guarantee that any water entering the engine (i.e. due to a bad gasket etc) will boil away/forced out immediately. Should I listen to the dealer? Is this something you do when you wash the bike?

Thanks in advance. /Henrik

That's nonsense... turn the bike off... Just use common sense. Just don't use high pressure spray in areas such as under the seat, muffler opennings, throttle bodies, instruments, brakes or stearing head. Rinsing is fine, after all you can ride in the rain, right? After you dry it, take it for a ride to get rid of any excess moisture around the engine, brakes, trottle bodies, etc.

[Hellgate]

Originally Posted by Grape

Hello,
I would like some advice on washing the bike. Do you use a hose to spray it first as washing a car or just bucket and spunge? If hose, is the electronics water proofed so that I dont need to bother avoiding spraying certain areas? I got the advice from a dealer that I should wash it with the engine idling which would guarantee that any water entering the engine (i.e. due to a bad gasket etc) will boil away/forced out immediately. Should I listen to the dealer? Is this something you do when you wash the bike?

Thanks in advance. /Henrik

I think your dealer is all wet. If a gasket is leaking H2O into the engine, he has a problem not you.

As long as you don't use a high pressure car wash on your bike you'll be fine.

I like to rinse the bike with water first, spray on Simple Green Bicycle Cleaning Foam, let sit a couple of minutes, wash off with car shampoo, rinse and dry. Looks GREAT and will not spot Ti or Alum.

[reiobard]

I agree. just take it easy around sensitive areas of your bike and you will be fine.

[Nelly]

My 2 pence worth.

Works for me, my Two year-old is getting good at washing the bike to so wont be to long until I have an automated service lol.

Nelly

[Whirlygirl]

Originally Posted by Nelly

My 2 pence worth.

Works for me, my Two year-old is getting good at washing the bike to so wont be to long until I have an automated service lol.

Nelly

Hmmmmm... you might have almost givin me a reason to have kids - lol! Can they get you beer out of the fridge and stuff as well???

Anyhow, for what it's worth, I've always just washed my bike like a car (but much more affectionately and tenderly, of course...)

[Grape]

Okay, thank you all! Just a comment on riding in rain. I guess the electronics can get a little moist but wont be flooded with water when riding in rain. Using the hose at all possible angles on the other hand seems very likely to really make the electronics dripping wet. But I see your point, use common sense and it will be fine.
Thank you!

[Boneman]

I've ridden in some torrential downpoors for hours and the only thing that has ever died from that was a relay that I installed in a bad position.

Your bike is a solid, well built piece of machinery....you are not going to 'hurt' it!!!! Don't be affraid to touch it people!! It's not going to fall apart or burst into flame if you look at it the wrong way....

As stated before, use common (or possible not so common) sense when doing maintenance or washing your bike. Don't use high preasure washers and don't blast a heavy stream of water at electrical connections. Pretty much like washing your car...

Also, I regularly use those spary on engine degreasers made by GUNK on my engine with no problems what so ever. Gets all that greese and dirt out. Only thing is that your engine will smell like GUNK for a few rides after using it.

To get my rear wheel rims uber clean, I use mineral spirits (paint thinner) on them first to remove any heavy build up of greese and excess chain lube. You can use mineral sprits on pretty much any metal and painted meatl surface of your bike. mineral spirits will not even come close to harming powder coated wheel rims or parts.

Your manual will also show some key lubing points that are good to check/lube after a good clean.

[zoomman]

I have a friend who uses Windex and elbow grease..lol