| Author | Message | ||
     Ulyganfreedom |
So when bath time comes... Bubble bath and a rubber ducky? I don't want to mess anything up. Are power washers ok. Thanks... | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
spray it down with S100 and go for a ride in the rain...... S100 + hose + towel = 15min. (30 min. if you clean the wheels real good | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
My 06' is a bit shy so it rarely takes a shower. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Avoid power washers. They are bad for bearings. | ||
| Chrisb |
+1 Power washers are a NO NO I have been known to hit the car wash during the winter months for a "controlled rainstorm" I keep the wand tip 5ft away from any part on the bike. | ||
| Chadhargis |
When I wash it with water, I use a mild soap and a wash mitt. I use a soft bristle brush to get into the cooling fins and crevices. Otherwise, I use Honda Polish. Spray on, wipe off. | ||
| Ikeman |
+1 to Wolfridgerider. | ||
| Spike |
Pressure washers are generally shunned, but I've used them on dirt bikes for knocking off the loose dirt without an issue. The trick is to keep your distance and avoid the sensitive areas. Having said that, a sponge and a bucket of water is much better idea for washing your XB. I use S100 and a hose for quickie wash jobs, but to really get things clean you have to scrub a bit. My normal routine is to spray the tough areas with S100, then use a bucket and a sponge to wash it just like I would my car. | ||
| Ziftron3 |
I use only pure rainwater, applied at terminal velocity on the vertical plain, 65mph on the horizontal. | ||
| Strokizator |
Best part of the Uly is that I rarely have to wash it (the sole reason I got the orange color). When I do wash it I just throw a bucket of sudsy water at, go over it with a mitt and then rinse it down. | ||
| Mikej |
I've never had any issue with using a pressure washer at a commercial car wash do it yourself place. I just avoid any direct spraying at any sensitive areas as noted by Spike above. YMMV. | ||
| Supertoon |
I find the wheels hard to wash, lots of nooks and I was spoiled with my last bike having a center stand. Also I have opened my finger up twice on the leading edge of the front brake rotor. Watch that bugger, its sharp! Should take a bit of sandpaper to it. Have never used a pressure washer, all in all a easy bike to clean! | ||
| Chrisgrant |
S100? | ||
| Ratbuell |
Pressure washers are also bad for electrical sensors and connections. My bikes usually get splashed/mitted with a 50/50 mix of water and simple green (only a COLD bike, nothing hot), garden hose to rinse, and either blow dryer or quick ride around the block to get the water off. In between dustings get spritzed with Harley Gloss or similar quick detailer. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
"Bath time! How do you bathe your Uly?" Annually, but only if necessary. | ||
| Hoon |
Some of you will know what my answer is going to be: Wash it? I'd rather shove bees up my arse! | ||
| Danger_dave |
Fortunately the rest of us have a different buzz. Garden hose, brush and a bucket of meguires. Never had another bike like it - 10 minutes from covered in crap to clean. No bright finishes is the way to go. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
I'm with Mr. Panhead and avoid it at all costs. I was kind of with Hoon until he got to the bees  I like Greased Lightning for super dirty parts if it does get a bath, but never let it get anywhere near a bearing. I like to use my pressure washer to spray the plugs in my Tomahawks (ask FtB he'll know what I'm talking about ) G2 | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
"No bright finishes is the way to go." That's why I traded my fully chrome plated HD Ultra for a Uly. The only things you REALLY want to keep CRAP off, is the heads. Heat can bake on some road grime. Yeah, that's right... I'm a clean freak. | ||
| Us_uly |
+1 S100. | ||
| New12r |
Ride in the rain. I found washing my Buells upsets them and they get real fussy after a wash, front cylinder is usually fouled after the garden hose incidents so I just leave em dirty!  | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Get covered in thick chunky MUD, run through the puddles, ride in driving rain, and for that extra crisp "clean" run in the hard pack snow. The only time she gets "washed" is when the techs need to fix something, or the Hooter girls are back in town. |
