Winter Riding

HellFire said:

I stick with a garden hose when washing, if riding in the downpour we got caught in on our trip to canada didn't kill it ... then the hose can't do any damage. Those power sprayers are another matter, the pressures can lift open dust seals and penetrate into relay/junction boxes easily. Using pressure washers around brakes will force water into puck seals causing corrosion and stuck brake pistons.
The guy across the street with his new truck loves it so much that he power washes it every other day with a portable in his driveway. It's like light sandblasting with all the minerals in our tap water. He was just commenting that the shine was going away on it already, didn't have the heart to tell him why.

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HellFire said:

The guys had trouble with earlier models until they filled connectors with dielectric (however its spelled) grease. Triumph seems to have done a better job of it on later models. She's been so wet that the spark plug holes were filled with water but never died. The ignition switch was another story though, don't know what killed it. I'm told it's a weak point in the system.

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HellFire said:

20+ inches melted away with the rain.

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rbickford said:

Good advice! I was afraid to wash my first Rocket at all after I read the Triumph instructions on how to wash your motorcycle. It was complete with enclosing items into plastic bags with rubber bands before you begin. It seemed pretty extreme but I'm sure well-meaning!

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STRIPES said:

A patch of ice here and there on the streets. A fine mist of freezing rain just started falling. .... Had to make a trip around the block anyway. I feel better now.

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