[TeSmSp]

Washed bike Saturday. Looks beautiful.
On Sunday, rode 65 miles to the nearest Starbucks (only 3 miles away).
Half hour later, on the way home, the dreaded Brake Failure dash light goes solid on.
Stop, turn engine off, back on and light goes off.
A few miles down the road, the Brake Failure light goes on away.
At home, engine off and back on again and the indicator goes off again.
Go for a ride around the block. Brake Failure goes back on again.
I feel my wallet becoming lighter by $2000.
On Monday evening, I go for a test ride. Everything works fine. No Brake Failure warning.

Should I stop washing the bike or what?

 

[beech]

Maybe, Seems like water in the switches is not helping. But just in case, start with the simple stuff and check your fluid levels and make sure the rear pedal is coming back to normal. Nothing holding it depressed.

 

[Kornholio]

Avoid spraying water on the switchery and use low pressure sprays on everything else.

 

[Miggs]

I have indicators that come on by themselves when it rains!

One thing that BMW could learn from the Japs is how to make switchgear.

BMW's is shite!

 

[Risky]

The only problen I have had over three years now after washing is the Generator belt will give a small squeal when restarted up then will go away, after that every thing is fine.

 

[JayJay]

After I wash mine I have two problems fairly regularly:

1. I have a sore back from bending and stooping to reach the hard-to-get places like the front and bottom of the engine, the suspension, and inside the fenders (oh, to be 20 years younger!).

2. My hands get banged up from hitting the brake rotors, etc. when washing the spokes on the wheels.

Neither of those are hardware or software issues, they're warmware issues and I can't blame the manufacturer for those.

But the engine runs smoother and stronger, mileage goes up 5 mpg, and I can increase my speed in any corner by at least 15% with a clean bike. On the other hand, if there's even a hint of a chance of rain, all it takes is a clean bike to make that happen.

JayJay

 

[dukey33]

I would suspect the possibility of water intrusion into the system somewhere. One place to look is the wheel speed sensors of the ABS system. A bit of silicone or di-electric grease on the boots helps seal out moisture. There should also be some grease in any of the production break connectors.

good luck.

 

[mtrevelino]

Washing my bike screws up my JMB system for a couple of days until it dry out. After my last wash, my wife and I went about one block and all of sudden the system started screeching. When I washed the bike I made sure the end caps were on the cable ends but water still got in.

 

[UltraLT]

Have you changed tires lately or had the front wheel off for any reason lately? Even if you have not, check your front ABS sensor wire. Mine came loose and was rubbing slightly on the brake rotor until it would fault the system sporadically like yours. Once I found the problem and properly fastened the sensor wire, no more problem. I put some dialectric goop on the cut to help maintain integrity. Just finished a 7K trip across the USA with no problem.

Ultra LT
Now riding a 2010 RT

 

[deanwoolsey]

Are you using a pressure washer? If so, don't do that anymore. Check your battery terminals to be sure they are corrosion free and tight. While you're in there load test the battery. Your bike is five years old, might be time for a new battery. Use an air compressor to blow dry the ABS sensors and rings after the wash.

 

[11862]

And go easy on letting any water get into the turn signal and hazard switch system. The BMW and Kisan logic seems to be extra sensitive to moisture.

If you do happen to have the turn signal logic quit or hang up, spray the switches with WD-40 and blow them out & dry with compressed air. It may even be necessary to disconnect the battery for a minute or so to get the logic to reset itself. DAMHIK.

 

[MattWhite]

I've had my bike a year and ride almost year round on commute.
I have never used the ol' hose and bucket to clean my bike.

I hit it with the California duster first to get the major crap off.
Then I go over it with Meguiar's Final Inspection #34 and
the yellow rags from Costco. The final inspection is hard to find
and not likely to be in the general auto parts store. You'll probably
have to go to a auto body paint supplier. That's were I get it.
The final inspection is not a wax or treater, and does not leave a residue.

You can then follow up with whatever paint/plastic care
product you prefer. I hit the seat and all my black plastic
with Meguiar's Vinyl & Rubber #40. I'm not sold on the best product
for the painted plastics. I've been trying the "ProtectAll" all surface care.
It's a spray on wax that has a UV protectant in it. It doesn't haze over white either.
Seems good and easy.

Just what I'm doing. :wave

 

[homewrek]

I agree with Matt. I've always avoided washing any of my bikes. I use one of those dusters on on all the plastic. I use a spray bottle with water and paper towels on everything up top. I'll get a hose with a nozzle set to gentle spray and hose the wheels, lower parts of the frame, engine, etc. just enough to get it wet and then I use a rag to clean everything while it is wet or damp.
I avoid water on everything electrical or cabled. I don't ride often in the rain, but that is the only time the whole bike might get wet, but I've never had a problem then either.

 

[frontiercat]

Hate to hear issues like this.

Lemon Pledge and a micro fiber cloth. Works awesome and is relatively inexpensive.

I do wash my HDs and my Buells with garden hose and bucket.

 

[OU812]

Why wash?
I only clean the important parts.

 

[rdwalker]

Washed bike Saturday. ...

You wash your bike? Won't it get dirty once you ride again?

 

[lkchris]

Your bike is designed to function properly riding in rain.

A GS can make water crossings.

You can do worse than that with a garden hose ... don't. More is not better.

 

[hopz]

I think it was the Starbucks....

I don't wash mine either. I do use what they used to call Honda Spray and a microfiber cloth.

If mine is really buggy I use some warm water and a soft cloth. I also clean the cylinder heads and valve covers with various watery products but not under pressure. More like a hand spray and wait a bit then rub it off.

I really miss the old-time smell of Gunk diluted with gasoline... those were the days, but of course we had oil leaks to deal with.

I suspect there is something amiss in your electrical nest. It ought to be able to take all the water you can spray and never miss a beat. I think a good dry out and then selectively experiment in spraying different areas until the issue is found to be repeatable... then fixed.

This does not sound like a trip to the dealer... for now.

 

[TeSmSp]

Hopz:

I only wash it when I can't see through the bug splatters.

 

[AntRT]

Damp cloth to wipe down, Simple Green on a rag to clean the wheels. 5 minutes once a month.