Cleaning SV with pressure washer?

Hi all,

I am still fairly new to biking, so still prone to asking stupid questions

I have been told by one guy that cleaning your bike with a pressure washer is the best/easiest way to get all the crap out of hard to reach places.

Speaking to another biker today about how he cleans his bike he says nooooo, its most definatley not a good idea. So now I'm confused I don't want to inadvertently damage my SV...

I currently use the ol' sponge and elbow grease method, which is ok but apart from taking bits off, there are some parts which I just can't reach.

So, all knowing mighty org - pressure washers - good or bad? And which areas of the bike are a no-go area?

[the_lone_wolf]

Pressure washer *can* force water where you don't want to force it, into bearings and seals

Personally, unless it's absolutely essential you jet wash I'd go with taking as much bodywork off and giving it some elbow grease

After a summer of this:




And 3000km through Europe last week:



I'm going to be stripping and cleaning the bike this weekend with a brush

[yorkie_chris]

Pressure washing gets all the grime out of nooks and crannies... including all the grease out of chassis bearings etc.

Not good. Wash it by hand.

[fastdruid]

It's fine as long as you know what the dangers are. Avoid any bearings, chain etc.

Druid

[punyXpress]

It'd probably put grit Into bearings etc. And who wants water in their ( less than robust ) electrics?

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by punyXpress

And who wants water in their ( less than robust ) electrics?

[ophic]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Wash it...

*Charlton Heston voice*
My god!

I powerwash my enduro as it gets really cacky but avoid and swingarm/shock/wheel bearings etc.

My road bike gets a light hose down from a tap, bucket and sponge wash and then hose again.

If its just road film and the bikes dry, I have just wiped it down with a soft cloth in the past.

[Drew Carey]

I personally have always done it by hand. Don't want the risk of damaging what little amount of grease Suzuki put in bearings etc!!!!!

One tip, get hold of some SDOC100 Gel (available in Hein Gericke, but don't get the liquid) or Fenwicks Bike Cleaner. With SDOC I spray all over the bike, make a brew, give it a light spongeing in really bad areas and then rinse away. Always gets rid of the crud.

I've done it once to my SV, had no problems afterwards. Avoided the chain etc, and greased up a few points I could find afterwards.