let bike cool down before washing???

15743 Views 11 Replies 11 Participants Last post by elle, Oct 16, 2012

Skwerlee

Discussion Starter · Oct 12, 2012

Can you mess anything up by washing a bike that's up to temp? If I’ve been out riding I usually try to let the engine cool off for about 30 minutes before I wash it...sometimes I'll throw a shop fan on it to speed things up. Last time I washed mine there was steam coming off the cases and exhaust pretty good when I started spraying it down. I don't wanna crack the case or anything like that.

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BillyD66

· #7 · Oct 12, 2012

Darque_Bike636 said:
Rbeane60 said:

Shouldn't be any different than if it starts raining on you in the middle of the ride.

Click to expand...

It is very different. Heat transfer in fluids is dependent on a number of things, but a big one being the flow rate across the surface. Your hose cranks out probably something like 3-4 gallons per minute. The falling rain in an average shower and subsequent spray off the road is probably more like a couple of cups an hour.

Never spray a hot motor or exhaust with cold water. I always like to have my engined warm just to the point where it isn't too hot to touch.

Agree with the above. Plus keep in mind that when you are riding and get caught in some rain the motor is still running and, therefore, probably really doesn't cool down from the rain. Rapid changes in temperature could really ruin your day

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