Be careful washing the Mandela.

[cjlamanna]

Spent an afternoon out riding. Washed the bike with a foam cannon. Rinsed the bike with a hose. Must have wet a few things I shouldn’t have. Went to start the bike, everything came on. Hit the start button Turns over then lose all electronics. No dash no lights dead as a door nail.


Figured I blew a fuse. Out comes the tools, faring off, under seat start checking the main fuses. All test positive. Jumped th starter motor, turns over. Humm? Not a battery?

Disconnect battery check the other main fuses. All good. Start blowing the water off the Wiring with compressor , reset all the fuses call dealer for pick up. Hook battery back up. Everything came back on. ??? Called dealer, cancel the trailer.

Not sure what happened. But I didn’t even get a check engine light.

Putting this out here as a a warning.

Happy ridding.

 

[Bill Hagan]

Spent an afternoon out riding. Washed the bike with a foam cannon. Rinsed the bike with a hose. Must have wet a few things I shouldn’t have. Went to start the bike, everything came on. Hit the start button Turns over then lose all electronics. No dash no lights dead as a door nail.


Figured I blew a fuse. Out comes the tools, faring off, under seat start checking the main fuses. All test positive. Jumped th starter motor, turns over. Humm? Not a battery?

Disconnect battery check the other main fuses. All good. Start blowing the water off the Wiring with compressor , reset all the fuses call dealer for pick up. Hook battery back up. Everything came back on. ??? Called dealer, cancel the trailer.

Not sure what happened. But I didn’t even get a check engine light.

Putting this out here as a a warning.

Happy riding.

Good reminder.

Applicable to all motorcycles.

I no longer wash my moto-harem -- well, using hose & soap, anyway, even with low pressure -- as corrosion to my EV's ignition switch from an enthusiastic session worked its spell. A few weeks later, I found myself stranded in BFE, Virginia, an issue that led to a VERY expensive tow, motel stay, and more. Happily for my survival, I did make it on time to our daughter's wedding!

Instead of that standard approach, I now use "waterless" products for nearly all cleaning. The only exception is my Stornello, which actually does go off pavement and thus needs some hosing of its lower portions.

Best wishes that you catch any hidden corrosion before it works more evil.

Best,

Bill

 

[Tebax]

Always spray water carefully and strategically
Avoid direct spray on switches, displays, and between fairing details.
Oh, and definitely around the alternator, for the Mandello that’s the back side of the engine
There’s a few places more though to be careful with, like wheel axels with the bearings, and ABS sensors at the wheels, and blinkers and tail lights.
So essentially just a few drops on the wind screen and saddle
No seriously, in heavy rains, both parked and during driving the bikes do get a lot of water on the places we are careful to wash.
So they should handle water, just don’t provoke the water into places when washing.