Washing Bike/Jet Wash

[andyb]

Would it be OK to use a jet wash on the bike if I stood at least a metre or so away so it wasnt too powerful against the bike?

If the consensus is yes then is ther anything I should avoid spraying like the plague? The bike a absolutely filthy from riding in rain the last few days and I dont want the condition to deteriorate and I odnt have a hose pipe at home!

[Viney]

I use a jet wash on my bike, and all is ok. Just dont point it at any bearing houings for extended periods.

[Luckypants]

Avoid jetting on any bearings (wheels, swing arm, headstock etc) or onto any electrics. Be careful on the forks. Beware of your brakes beeing useless after getting soaked by the jet wash.

[Peter Henry]

A motorcycle should be washed with loving care as part of a oneness of the special relationship between man and machine. Only crudded up Moto Cross bikes should have a hose or jet wash blasted at them! Shame on you! :?

[Baph]

I've nervously jet washed mine too. Everything was fine. Except the LED for my alarm got wet, and shorted the connections out, meaning it stayed on constantly until it dried out.

All is back to normal now though :)

[jim@55]

dont go near your rad ,its very delicate :roll: (err,,,,so i heard ,cos ive not done that ,no way :oops: )

[andyb]

Thanks for the quick replies guys. Peter I normally clean my bike with loving care but after spending most of the day on it last Saturday it was absolutely filthy by Monday night as I commute through the countryside (well sort of) and am hoping that a quick jet wash will tide me over til I get time to clean it properly again :D God I wish I lived in Spain!!! 8)

[Peter Henry]

Andy....Flicking that dust off with a feather duster is not all the fun it's cracked up to be you know mate?! :wink: 8) :D

[Viney]

Youre really not going to hurt the bike you know.

[andy]

After seeing the damage jet washes have done to dirt bikes over the years I would never use one again unless I had to (eg so much mud it is beyond hosepipe)

Far better bet is to get a garden sprayer (£20 ish) and use that with a brush - works for me :-)

Uses a lot less water as well (5 to 10 litres for a good going over)

[SoulKiss]

Would it be OK to use a jet wash on the bike if I stood at least a metre or so away so it wasnt too powerful against the bike?

If the consensus is yes then is ther anything I should avoid spraying like the plague? The bike a absolutely filthy from riding in rain the last few days and I dont want the condition to deteriorate and I odnt have a hose pipe at home!

Real men just use a normal carwash !!!

[Viney]

Would it be OK to use a jet wash on the bike if I stood at least a metre or so away so it wasnt too powerful against the bike?

If the consensus is yes then is ther anything I should avoid spraying like the plague? The bike a absolutely filthy from riding in rain the last few days and I dont want the condition to deteriorate and I odnt have a hose pipe at home!

Real men just use a normal carwash !!!Didnt the Mad Count do that in one of his vids?

[northwind]

I just squirt mine with Muc Off/whatever I could find in the shops that looked like muc off and hose it, works better than a pressure washer IMO.

[Shellywoozle]

A motorcycle should be washed with loving care as part of a oneness of the special relationship between man and machine. Only crudded up Moto Cross bikes should have a hose or jet wash blasted at them! Shame on you! :?

Hey equality please [-X :smt021 women can do it better :lol:

[Rosie]

I find my boyfriend's 7 year old daughter is the best at cleaning my bike! Supervised, of course! :D

[jambo]

Reading this with interest as the Kwak's due it's bi-annual bath next week before being rolled into the living room (see, I'm domesticated! :roll: ) and given a damn good service and checkup before winter hits. :thumbsup:

[tricky]

After seeing the damage jet washes have done to dirt bikes over the years I would never use one again unless I had to

It was always the dirt bike riding rather than the jetwashishing that damaged my dirtbikes :wink: :lol:

Seriously though if your carefull with the jetwash you should be ok.
I do mine regularly with one without any problems.

[northwind]

I blasted all the paint off my virago's engine casings with one quick blast from a cheap B&Q power washer... The night before someone was coming to view it :roll: Cue an all night polishing session- yes, that's the real reason my right arm is bigger than the left.

[DoubleD]

Would it be OK to use a jet wash on the bike if I stood at least a metre or so away so it wasnt too powerful against the bike?

If the consensus is yes then is ther anything I should avoid spraying like the plague? The bike a absolutely filthy from riding in rain the last few days and I dont want the condition to deteriorate and I odnt have a hose pipe at home!

Real men just use a normal carwash !!!


Proper men stay sitting on the bike in the carwash !!!

[andy]

After seeing the damage jet washes have done to dirt bikes over the years I would never use one again unless I had to

It was always the dirt bike riding rather than the jetwashishing that damaged my dirtbikes :wink: :lol:

Seriously though if your carefull with the jetwash you should be ok.
I do mine regularly with one without any problems.

Careful is the key - keep it well away from all bearings including the chain. I have seen so many bearings that have had all the grease blown out of them and got corroded beyond repair. Sure dirt riding is not good on the bearings either, but the only way the grease gets out of bearings is with jet washers......

[RandyO]

by the time you avoid all the sensitive areas

radiator fins (pressure washer will bend fins)
bearing seals & brakes (pressure washer will blow water past seals)
chain (pressure washer will blast water past o-rings)
anything electrical


you might's well wash it by hand

[kwak zzr]

jet washing a bike is a SIN! and if it doesnt take 6hours your not doing it right.

[andy]

by the time you avoid all the sensitive areas

radiator fins (pressure washer will bend fins)
bearing seals & brakes (pressure washer will blow water past seals)
chain (pressure washer will blast water past o-rings)
anything electrical


you might's well wash it by hand

Exactly, and dont forget to add stickers to that list!

[hovis]

jet wash for sale :lol:

[tricky]

After seeing the damage jet washes have done to dirt bikes over the years I would never use one again unless I had to

It was always the dirt bike riding rather than the jetwashishing that damaged my dirtbikes :wink: :lol:

Seriously though if your carefull with the jetwash you should be ok.
I do mine regularly with one without any problems.

Careful is the key - keep it well away from all bearings including the chain. I have seen so many bearings that have had all the grease blown out of them and got corroded beyond repair. Sure dirt riding is not good on the bearings either, but the only way the grease gets out of bearings is with jet washers......

I've never broken a clutch or a front brake lever with the jetwash :wink: :D

I did once strip part of the lettering off of a brand new, very expensive, Fantic fuel tank with one once though

[timwilky]

Ok, I know this is a little late in the debate but :-

Why take the bike out the garage if it is going to get dirty?.
opening the garage door is enough to destroy the controlled humidity and dust filtered environment I keep my bike in. God riding it would get it into a disgusting state.