Honestly, I have been power washing my bikes for years at self car washes.  Just did our 2 Savages a couple weeks ago, and it used to be the only way to really clean my old dirt bikes (which often doubled as watercraft

I usually just ride the bike to the wash.  While the engine is hot (it will cool pretty quick), I avoid direct spray right on the cylinder and head but spray the crankcase (no different than riding in the rain, if you think about it) and after a couple passes around the bike, I'll spray those parts too.

Most of the electrical on a stock bike is pretty well hidden and contacts are pretty rugged.  Very little water will pentrate those areas (under tank and seat).  I also use the spray wax, because I figure that corrosion always starts in the hard to reach areas and the spray will go where my hand can't...such as under bolt heads, clamps and fenders

Then with a clean towel, I'll push her over to the side of the car wash and dry her off...and the ride home usually gets rid of the rest (some gets on me, too).  Might need to use the choke, but both Savages have never failed to start right away.  When at home, I liberally use Armor-All, WD40, and a good paste wax where appropriate, to finish the detail.

To me, that is the way to clean a bike.

Gitarzan wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:03:


i'm lucky i have a power spray, nice to wash it at home.

also don't armorall the seat  it looks nice, but way to slippery.  

Savage_Greg wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:03:


it's got a few of those things like soap induction. low pressure rinse.  ect

I use "Orange Clean".  Spray it down, give it a wipe and hose it down.  Between baths I use "Penzoil Carwash Wipes".  They are about the size of a large handtowel and are just big enough to detail the Savage.  I carry some on our travels for quick clean ups along with some "Windex" wipes for the windshield.  

Hmmmmm this reminds me ..... I need to get some more oven cleaner.  I seem to get scuff marks from my boots all over the place.

mrbusdriver wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:03:

Dave:
  Be sure to shield the bike with newspaper, so the oven cleaner does not get on the paint, or any part but the exhaust....this  stuff will bubble paint........Spray it on while the exhaust is fairly warm, but not super hot......wait a few hours, and wipe with paper towel, or an old rag.....make sure to wear rubber gloves, as this stuff also does a number on your hands....After you wipe what you can off, i use either a wooden spoon, or popsickle stick, to slide the rest of the crud off.......then repeat process once more, and you will be amazed at the results....I use easy off low odor oven cleaner.....I find it works great.....managed to get boot rubber, residue from nylon wind pants, and a grocery bag, which blew onto hot exhaust......Good luck


cheers


Michael

Michael wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:03:
Never knew that a S-P-O-O-N is considered foul.  Gotta keep the S-P-O-O-N police out of my kitchen!

I've also had nylon riding pants, boots, and a plastic bag, melt on my pipe. You're right. Oven cleaner on a warm pipe and a popsicle stick works wonders.

Geeeezzzzzz!  What kind of crud do you guys get on your bikes?  I've never had to wait more than a few minutes to lift the scuff marks off and I've never scraped it with anything.