Does anyone use a jet wash on their bike to clean it? I have always hand washed mine, but thinking of getting a jet wash to get all the muck and salt off it. Are they ok to use or too powerful and might get into places you don't want to lol!!!!
I have jet washed my bikes, not on a regular basis, but every now and then when I do it thoroughly. As long as you don't go too near with the nossle and be careful, I have not had a problem with it.
My owners book says not to- to protect electrical connections etc.. I've not had a problem using one on the chassis, wheels or engine cases- but dont go too close and be gentle around stone chips & cracked paint.
Always done mine with a jet wash, as mentioned above don't go too close, avoid wheel bearings and swing arm pivots, steering head bearings and not too close to the chain.
Cleaning agent of choice is SDOC 100 Gel, absolutely the best.
Beware of the clocks too ....bag them before you start.
Your basic home pressure washers are safe as long as you follow the earler comments if you were talking about an industrial high pressure steam cleaner type I would recommend keeping the nozzle about a meter and a half away as they will strip paint cut wiring and fill your clocks lights and just about any thing else they get near with water
Only jet washed my fjr once in the Lake District in February time...had to...it was that dirty it was unreal...with my blackbird I tend to get the hosepipe out and use the jet feature I find that enough...I would hate to wreck my bike...plenty of muckoff does the trick..I got showed by a bike valeter many years ago how to clean a bike...firstly soak your bike with water...apply Muckoff or something similar let it work, then get soapy water give a good scrub using two sponges...one for bodywork and one for the grimy areas, rinse off well, leather down, polish etc...job done!! In winter I find it hard as Ive not got a garage so I always just rinse the salt off and clean when I can...
i have always jet washed my bikes with a home one and with the ones at the garages.ive never damaged my bikes,never had a problem with the electrics.only thing i never do is jet the drive chain.as long as you dont have prolonged contact with bearings etc its never a problem!!all this bumfluff about it damaging this damaging that never seen it. once ive washed it i spray it all over with sas fluid avoiding brake discs and tyres and that keeps all the muck from sticking and keeps salt away.
I am one of those rare Harley owners who rides in any weather ... to clean I use Muck Off, spray the whole bike, leave for 2 mins then use a power washer at a sensible distance to wash off. I then use an air compressor to blow excess water off, especially from switches. Done this for years .. works a treat :)
Seriuosly tho i have bought quiet a few ex plod bike. These get washed to death normaly with a jet wash every time they get taken out ( in theory) and every one with out exception has had to have the wiring looms and bearings replaced as they are nearly all shot and corroded.
Be carefull with the powerwasher and re grease every thing and you should be ok.
On he other hand my beemers these days are lucky if they get a sponge down 8-)
I always jet wash my bike. Kawasaki GTR1400, shafty, so no chain worries. I keep clear of the wheel bearings, radiator, and seat; but make sure brake calipers and the bobbins on the front discs get a good blast. I live in a rural area with lots of krud on the roads. Jet wash is the only way to get rid of the stuff that gets inside the fairing etc. No problems so far with electrics, a touring bike has to withstand a bit of 'weather'!