You want to make sure to keep water away from a few parts, first thing I do is remove the battery. You will also want to aviod the electrical connections and terminals, one option is to wrap them in electrical tape or something if you are worried about it. If you are still running the stock air box then there is not much else I would worry about but if you have removed it (like me and many others here) you want to cover the air intake and the crankcase breather. I use mother's polish on all chrome and aluminum and waxing the tins (tank and fenders) is probably a good idea. Good luck and have fun

There is certainly no reason to remove the battery to wash the bike. Low pressure water can be used anywhere on the bike to rinse although I woudn't direct it at the air filter.  I've read warnings about high pressure water near the wheel bearings.  I also use degreaser on the engine/tranny and chrome polish on the chrome. And wax on the painted surfaces will protect them as well as look good.

I use a Turtle Wash and Wax each time I wash my bike.
Perhaps use this, once you give her a good washing.
It makes washing her easier as well as gives her a nice
shine..
Their are lots of different polishes and cleansers on the
market. As for the chrome, I also tried the tin foil in soapy
water. That seemed to shine the chrome nicely.. kim

Mine gets rained on. Clean enough.

Thanks everybody! I had the husband pick something up while he was out and I left it up to him to decide what.   He brought back these wadding type wipes that you rub over your bike and then buff off. It's supposed to be a cleaner and polisher in one. It shined up the tins nice and got a lot of grime off of them (judging from the stuff on the buffer rags) but it really wasn't what I had in mind.   I still have bug guts on my forks and frame. It took them off of the headlight and turn signals ok but didn't do much for the backs of the lights. My engine still looks gunky too.   I think I need to find a professional detailer. I really would rather ride than clean.  

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 06/10/11 at 19:12:30:

+1 Very important!

You can buy that at any bike shop, for a lot less money. It is just repackaged S100 cycle cleaner. Go to an indy shop and see if they carry Pig Snot. Same idea, better surfactant.