I got mud on my bike today...radiator, chain, shock, engine, etc. What is the best way to clean it?

The dealer said to clean the bike by hand. He said using a hose could get water in places where it doesn't belong. Maybe I misunderstood. Is it OK to use a hose? Soap and water?

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/1162/dirty599002jf3.jpg
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6601/dirty599004ud0.jpg

Gee, that looks familiar. I spent an afternoon down some country roads and came back with some of the, um, byproducts as souvenirs.

I just spent some extra time with the hose (low pressure) the soap, and a cloth. No biggie. I'm not sure if you'd hurt anything by hosing the radiator with some pressure -- its purpose is to let air, through, right?

Time and patience, friend.

Must have been the weekend for detailing eh? I just gave my baby a bath too. Anyway, back to your question. I can tell you first hand, be careful with the hose. My first wash last year resulted in completely draining my battery from using too much water pressure and getting water everywhere. Fuses were soaked, but didn't break. All the water sapped my battery, but after drying and recharging it was all good. I still use the hose, sparingly. It's not like washing a car, you can almost sponge water where you need it to go. All that to say, go ahead and use the hose, just keep it at a low pressure.

just don't use high pressure water

if you want to keep mud off better , when the bike is clean use PAM I think that was the name pots and pan oil for cooking so your food doesn't stick to your pots and pan, it makes the mud not stick to your bike either

I used PAM a lot on the MX bikes. Works pretty good.

I noticed most everyone here doesn't use high pressure on the bike. I have always done that on every bike I have ever owned and never had a problem. I regularly take the 599 to the car wash since my pressure washer quit. It has never given me a bit of trouble. Maybe I am just really lucky. :idea:

I guess I should add that I am very careful about where I let the water stream go. I stay away from hoses, etc... So if in doubt, don't do it.

Try not to squirt directly on the carbs.

Don't let the water get in the carbs the exhaust or the wheel bearings and you should be ok try to sorce a front fenda extenda to keep some of the crud off the engine and rad and fit a rear hugger to keep the shock clean :D