Maintenance is important to keep your motorcycle for a long time.

There are a lot of arguments whether washing your motorcycle with pressure washer is a good thing or not. Some say pressure washer belongs to the “Don’t” category as this can damage the sensitive parts of the bike while other think pressure washer is actually a handy tool to get rid of the dirt that clung to the motorcycle wheels. Truth be told both sides actually have a point.

Using electric pressure washer when cleaning your motorcycle can get the grime and dirt off your bike, but there is also the danger of overdoing it. To help you out with this dilemma, here are some tips when washing your motorcycle with pressure washer:

Pressure wash at a distance to avoid damaging your motorcycle.
Pressure wash at a distance to avoid damaging your motorcycle.

1. Choose the right pressure washer

The first thing to consider is the equipment you use. Is the pressure washer you use the right one for the job? If you think that pressure washers are all the same, then you couldn’t be more wrong. Pressure washers also come different types, brands, sizes, and power. When cleaning motorcycles, choose a domestic unit with not more than 2000 psi. You can check out the Karcher electric pressure washer for this since most of their units have optimum efficiency and save up to 50 percent of water. You will have a number of good options from 1600 psi up to the recommended 2000 psi.

Moreover, you should keep gas-powered pressure washer out of the list. Gas-powered pressure washers usually have a very high water pressure that could strip the paint of your motorcycle. It is best to just stick with 1500 psi to 2000 psi.

Use a pressure washer with 1500 psi to 2000 psi for motorcycle cleaning.
Use a pressure washer with 1500 psi to 2000 psi for motorcycle cleaning.

2. Use sponges and brushes on top of pressure washing

Although some notable car washing shops rely on a pressure washer to get rid of all the grime and dirt of the motorcycle, it is always better to use a mild and soft type of cleaning tools. The best sponge to use when cleaning the painted parts of the motorcycle is the one with microfiber sponge gloves. This allows you to control the force that you apply when cleaning the parts and ensures you that no paint will be chipped off.

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Using sponge is recommended in motorcycle cleaning.
Using sponge is recommended in motorcycle cleaning.

For hard-to-reach areas like the in-between of the laced wheel, you can use a brush, but it is highly recommended to use an old toothbrush rather than buying a new one specific for the task. This is because newly bought brushes still have stiff bristles that may damage the painted parts of your motorcycle. The old toothbrush, on the other hand, has already a soft bristle that will not be too aggressive and is safe to use. After which, you can proceed to washing your motorcycle with pressure washer again to  remove the dirt.

Use your old toothbrush when cleaning the chain and bearings.
Use your old toothbrush when cleaning the chain and bearings.

3. Position the nozzle 3 to 4 feet away from the motorcycle

If you hear a friend complaining about how the pressure washer has damaged their bike, then it is most probably because they overdo it by pressure washing at a very close distance. If there’s one thing that most rookies do it is to be impatient and pressure washes aggressively in order to complete the task quickly. This is a very common mistake that you should not follow.

Position the nozzle of your pressure washer 3 to 4 feet away from the part where you want to clean. Any nearer would make the water blast too much which can damage the wheel bearings and the painted part of your motorcycle. You can get a little close when aiming for the wheels with thick mud, but step back again (3 to 4 feet) and use the pressure washer like a garden hose when aiming for the bearings and gaskets.

4. Avoid pressure washing the bearings, chain, and electrical parts if possible

When washing your motorcycle with pressure washer, it is best if you avoid the bearings, chains, and electrical parts. Motorcycles are built to get through heavy rain at high speed, so splashing water on the bike when cleaning it is not a problem. However, for safety reasons and to avoid rust and corrosion, avoid pressure washing the bearings, chain, and other electrical parts like the signal switches, starter, and plug wires.

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However, if the bearings and chains have thick grime and dirt, you can use the pressure washer but keep the pressure at 1500 psi and position the nozzle at a distance. Most importantly, don’t forget to wipe with a dry microfiber cloth after washing.

If possible, do not pressure wash the laced wheels if the dirt is not that extreme.
If possible, do not pressure wash the laced wheels if the dirt is not that extreme.

Conclusion

Washing your motorcycle with pressure washer is one of the best methods to get the mud and dirt off your motorcycle. However, one must have the right knowledge on how to use the tool

properly to avoid damaging the bike instead. Apply these four best tips to your next pressure washing task, and you’ll never have to wonder whether or not using pressure washer is safe for motorcycles. You can Read more about garden hose.