hosing down bike

[joepua]

Is it ok to hose down the WHOLE bike?

For some reason I am hesitant to do it... 2004gs500f is my bike...

[Bluesmudge]

If your hose has much pressure be careful around the chain, and try not to get any water in the exhaust. Other than that, the bike is meant to be driven in the rain so it handles a hose-down just fine 

[fred]

Yeah, motorcycles aren't going to melt in the rain. I think it is funny when people who don't ride ask me what I do in the rain. I always tell them I ride it and they look at me funny like there was some ban on two wheeled vehicles when it got wet out...

[joepua]

heh, i just dont want to get water in/on something that shouldnt be wet

ive believe ive got salt on my bike... damn winter... and need to wash it off...

i honestly didn't want to hose it down

[sledge]

Do yourself a big favour and keep any water jets away from the clocks, switchgear, cables and bearings (wheels, headstock and suspension linkages). They will tolerate rain falling on them but not water squirted at them......nothing kills a bike quicker than pressure washing.

[fred]

Yeah, pressure washing would be bad. Keep the water pressure to levels you'd expect to see when its raining out and you'll be fine.

[joepua]

what im going to do a light spray, rather than a JET of water....

i want to get the underside of the bike.... so the engine, chain, tires....

im mainly afraid of the engine lol... there's small little cracks where the parts meet.... its actually ok to get water between there? i know this is a noob question but i want to be cautious

[joshr08]

i personally just use the bucket and rag method when washing the bike.

[ohgood]

what im going to do a light spray, rather than a JET of water....

i want to get the underside of the bike.... so the engine, chain, tires....

im mainly afraid of the engine lol... there's small little cracks where the parts meet.... its actually ok to get water between there? i know this is a noob question but i want to be cautious

those small little cracks have gaskets. they'll be fine. do not pressure wash the bike at all. use a regular hose, a regular bucket, and a regular sponge. treat it like a rain shower instead of a pressure wash.

the underside doesn't matter. leave it dirty. it likes being dirty.

[oramac]

Actually, a low pressure spray is how I prefer to wash the bike.  I spray it down liberally with simple green everywhere including the chain, swingarm, rims, engine casing, and anywhere road grime, tar, or grease has built up.  Let it sit for about five minutes, then spray it off with regular water. 

Next, dry it however you see fit:  soft towel, chamois, or 75mph blast down your favorite road.  Apply a coat of wax if desired, and lube the chain.  All done.

Simple Green is amazing stuff.  As always, someone will probably disagree with me and think that the bike will implode if squirted with the stuff, but I never suffered any adverse affects....except for people frequently asking how I keep my bike so clean, grease, and grime free.

anyway; don't worry about spraying your bike with normal pressure.   

[allaussiegrown]

I wash with a bucket of soapy water and a sponge followed by a shammy wipe and then a polish. For the wheel and all the nooks and crannys on the frame and greasy parts Mr Sheen (Kerosene Based Household Polish) it leaves the frame with a nice coat and makes everything shiny. I could use the hose but it dont really need it. Actually i think i might go give my bike a wash now.

[fred]

Actually, a low pressure spray is how I prefer to wash the bike.  I spray it down liberally with simple green everywhere including the chain, swingarm, rims, engine casing, and anywhere road grime, tar, or grease has built up.  Let it sit for about five minutes, then spray it off with regular water. 

Next, dry it however you see fit:  soft towel, chamois, or 75mph blast down your favorite road.  Apply a coat of wax if desired, and lube the chain.  All done.

Simple Green is amazing stuff.  As always, someone will probably disagree with me and think that the bike will implode if squirted with the stuff, but I never suffered any adverse affects....except for people frequently asking how I keep my bike so clean, grease, and grime free.

anyway; don't worry about spraying your bike with normal pressure.   

So many steps. My typical approach to washing my bike is "wait for rain." Other than that, I use shop towels to clean off the engine when it has been leaking too much both as a way of keeping too much crud from forming and a way to pinpoint the source of the leak. Oh yeah, and every once and a while I have to hit the gauges and mirrors with windex so I can see them...