power wash

if i go to the quarter wash and power wash my bike will i need to cover anything (im thinking maybe coils or something electric)
obviously i shouldnt spray in the airbox

 

If you like your bike,wash it by hand. The carwash is designed for CARS,that have most of the vulnerable parts covered by body panels.If you subject your bike to the high pressure of a car wash,you can easily get water where it should not be...like wheel bearings,lower fork legs,carbs,instruments,headlight bucket,exhaust...and the list goes on.Clean don't come easy,but once you get it clean,it isn't so tough to keep it that way.Everyone wants to take the easy way out. I want 6-pack abs...I drink one every night...and I STILL have a gut!

 

You also don't want to hit a hot engine with a stream of water. Sudden temperature changes have the potential to do damage.

 

Yeah, the whole bike.

As stated, it's not a good idea to use a power wash on a motorcycle. It's best to wash it at home with the hose.

 

Besides, you shouldn't NEED a power wash. We ride dirt bikes and I will power wash them, but there's a lot of taping off and plugging up done, then you still should avoid spraying anywhere that can be damaged by the force of the water or by forcing dirt and crud into bearings and seals, etc.

A nice sudsy bucket of water, a soft sponge and a gently hose off. Then dry it off and go for a ride. And that's what I call an elaborate cleaning. You can get as finicky as you like, but I don't have the patience anymore to scrub every nook and cranny with a toothbrush and then wax and polish every exposed surface. Nah. I'd rather ride!

 

i cleaned it today just used a small car wash brush to get the gunk off of it i thought 14 years of dust would be harder to clean off but it came off real easy
thanks for talkin me outa that idea guys

 

Wow, i'm surprised at these answers. 8O
I wash both my bikes at the CAR wash anytime i've been out riding in the rain or running through water where dirt and gunk get up into all the nooks and crevices you can't wash by hand. But like some others have said, don't be a retard and try to spray water on hot headers or engine bits. Especially don't take off the side cover where the CDI unit is located and get your electrics wet. I ride year round so my bike gets dirty, it's unavoidable, and while I DO hand wash my bike like most of us, trips to the car wash are needed to dislodge dirt you can't reach with brushes.

My poor car never gets washed anymore it seems, I only drive it to the grocery store or on mornings when it's raining and I don't feel like gearing up for my short trip to work.

So don't be afraid of the car-wash, just use common sense.