Topic: Washing

[Sandcast 2356]

My question is, what is the best way to wash these things? I took my bike to the car-wash, and sprayed all the dirt and grime and grease and oil and other strange unkown objects off my bike with the power washer. Afterwards, it was really hard to start and ran odd. I figured I had grounded something with the water. Went home, parked it. Next day (yesterday) I went out to fire her up assuming the water had dried and all was well. She wouldn't start, wouldn't start, wouldn't start. Then I smelled gas, and lots of it. Flooded. Hmmmmm. hmmmmmm. hmmmm. No spark......hmmmm. Check plugs, I pull off the first plug cap to be splashed in the face with a puddle of water that had accumulated down in there around the plug. Long story short, dried um out, started. So how do I avoid doing this again, even when hand washing??

[Steve F]

I usually use the Honda spray polish/cleaner, but when she gets really disgusting, I use the spray-on cycle cleaner made by (?) and hose it gently with the shower attachment on the garden hose.  It GENTLY flushes off the cleaner and the dirt with it.  I stay away from any pressure washing including a full blast with the garden hose. I follow with a treatment with the leaf blower, making sure I start at the top and work down, paying attention to the nooks where water will puddle or get trapped.  THEN comes the HONDA spray polish cleaner or MAGUIRE'S Quick Detailer.

[Bob Wessner]

I agree a 100% the no pressure washing. These aren't like cars where everything is conveniently? enclosed. You've discovered most of the reasons not to use pressure already.

[heffay]

all right sandcast~ this comes from the guy that spent the entire time he was at MMI washing bikes and setting them up from the crate.  i often had to powerwash to get the cosmolene off (gross slimey stuff they put all over the bike for shipping so the salty ocean air doesnt rust the bike)  just be careful not to spray the stuff your not supposed to spray!...
BUT, when you dont wash use "honda polish" the stuff is amazing, you'll go thru a lot of rags as the summer goes by but who cares... your bike will run properly when your done... plus you get to look cool out in the driveway while your doing it "look at me i have a sweet ride!"  you know, that sorta thang. 
my bike hasnt been touched by water since the day i bought it 2 and a half years ago "thanks honda polish!"

[Sandcast 2356]

Sweet ride HA!!