In my experience washing a bike with a hot motor/pipes gives you WATER SPOTS FROM HELL! They dry on there instantly on contact and WOW what a nitemare removing them. It's more work getting rid of the water spots than washing the whole bike.

Yes, i let it cool down first. I use a garden hose/low pressure. If you use a pressure wand step back about 5 feet and dont hit anything really hard with it. As mentioned the electricals are your concern. The ECM is behind that right side panel ahead of the saddle bag so dont blast any high pressure water there or on the instrument panel obviously.

 

I did it a couple times but my left turn signal acted up so had to spray silicon in it ,its fine now but i wash by hand dont soak areas that could lead to problems for you!

 

Hose it...Then if you have a leaf blower or shop vac, use it to blow the water off it and in those hard to reach areas. Instead of spending $80 on a mini blower they sell. My shopvac does the same job. Makes it easier when ya polish it, no unsuspecting water drops appearing.

 

DUH

 

DO NOT USE A CAR WASH!!!!! look what it did to my heads... i had to powder coat everything to make it look right!

[IMG]local://upfiles/26534/C491A3CB4C4A4F998CDB211E895A1E21.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/26534/99CC0B9F5F734D0A8D4263C6F05F9C8A.jpg[/IMG]

 

Looks like you used rim scrubber or something realli basic on that head![:-]
I use only soap and plain water.
Plus, the car wash has filtered (de-ionized) water that when dries leaves no spots